Jeremiah 44:30
This is what the LORD says: Behold, I will deliver Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hands of his enemies who seek his life, just as I delivered Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the enemy who was seeking his life."
This is what the LORD says
This phrase underscores the authority and divine origin of the message. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and covenant relationship with Israel. The phrase indicates that the following message is not merely a human prediction but a divine decree, reinforcing the certainty and seriousness of the prophecy.

I am about to deliver
The Hebrew root for "deliver" is "nathan," meaning to give or hand over. This conveys God's active role in the unfolding of historical events. It is a reminder of God's control over nations and leaders, and His ability to orchestrate events according to His divine will. This phrase also implies an imminent action, highlighting the urgency and inevitability of the prophecy.

Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt
Pharaoh Hophra, known historically as Apries, ruled Egypt during a tumultuous period. His reign is marked by internal strife and external threats, reflecting the instability of relying on earthly powers rather than God. The mention of Hophra serves as a historical anchor, reminding readers of the real-world consequences of political alliances and the futility of trusting in human strength over divine guidance.

into the hands of his enemies who seek his life
The phrase "into the hands of" is a common biblical expression denoting defeat or capture. It signifies a transfer of power and control, often used to describe God's judgment. The "enemies who seek his life" highlights the personal and political animosity against Hophra, illustrating the broader theme of divine justice against those who oppose God's will.

just as I delivered Zedekiah king of Judah
Zedekiah's fate serves as a parallel and a warning. His capture by Nebuchadnezzar was a direct result of his rebellion against God and reliance on Egypt for support. This comparison underscores the consistency of God's judgment and the consequences of disobedience. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God.

into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, a dominant figure in the ancient Near East, is often depicted as an instrument of God's judgment. His mention here reinforces the theme of divine sovereignty over world events. Babylon's rise and fall are orchestrated by God, demonstrating His ultimate authority over all kingdoms and rulers.

who was his enemy and was seeking his life
This phrase emphasizes the personal nature of the conflict and the inevitability of God's judgment. It reflects the broader biblical theme of the futility of opposing God's plans. The pursuit of Zedekiah's life by Nebuchadnezzar serves as a metaphor for the relentless nature of divine justice against those who defy God's commands.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

2. Pharaoh Hophra
The king of Egypt during the time of Jeremiah, known for his alliance with Judah against Babylon.

3. Zedekiah
The last king of Judah, who was captured by Nebuchadnezzar and witnessed the fall of Jerusalem.

4. Nebuchadnezzar
The king of Babylon, who conquered Jerusalem and took many Jews into exile.

5. Egypt
A nation often seen as a place of refuge for the Israelites, yet also a symbol of reliance on worldly powers instead of God.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God is in control of all nations and their leaders. His plans will prevail regardless of human alliances or strategies.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Just as Zedekiah faced consequences for his rebellion against God, so too would Pharaoh Hophra. Disobedience to God leads to downfall.

The Futility of Trusting in Worldly Powers
Reliance on earthly powers, like Egypt, instead of God, leads to disappointment and failure. True security is found in God alone.

Historical Fulfillment of Prophecy
The fulfillment of prophecies, such as the fall of Pharaoh Hophra, serves as a testament to the truth and reliability of God's word.

Lessons for Modern Believers
Believers today are reminded to place their trust in God rather than in political or worldly systems, seeking His guidance in all things.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the prophecy against Pharaoh Hophra demonstrate God's control over world events, and how can this understanding impact our view of current global affairs?

2. In what ways does the account of Zedekiah serve as a warning for those who choose to ignore God's commands?

3. How can we apply the lesson of not relying on worldly powers to our personal lives and decision-making processes?

4. What are some modern-day "Egypts" that people might be tempted to trust in, and how can we guard against this temptation?

5. How does the fulfillment of biblical prophecies strengthen your faith in the reliability of Scripture, and how can you use this to encourage others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 25
Describes the fall of Jerusalem and the capture of Zedekiah, providing historical context for Jeremiah's prophecy.

Ezekiel 29
Contains prophecies against Egypt, similar to Jeremiah's message, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nations.

Isaiah 31
Warns against relying on Egypt for help, highlighting the futility of trusting in human power over divine guidance.
Jeremiah's Last SermonS. Conway Jeremiah 44:1-30
The End of Jeremiah; Or, Going Down in CloudsS. Conway Jeremiah 44:1-30
People
Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, Zedekiah
Places
Babylon, Egypt, Jerusalem, Memphis, Migdol, Pathros, Tahpanhes
Topics
Babylon, Behold, Egypt, Enemies, Enemy, Handed, Hophra, Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, Says, Seek, Seeking, Thus, Zedekiah
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 44:25-30

     8807   profanity

Jeremiah 44:29-30

     1449   signs, purposes

Library
God's Patient Pleadings
'I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.'--JER. xliv. 4. The long death-agony of the Jewish kingdom has come to an end. The frivolous levity, which fed itself on illusions and would not be sobered by facts, has been finally crushed out of the wretched people. The dreary succession of incompetent kings--now a puppet set up by Egypt, now another puppet set up by Babylon, has ended with the weak Zedekiah. The
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Man's Misery by the Fall
Q-19: WHAT IS THE MISERY OF THAT ESTATE WHEREINTO MAN FELL? A: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. 'And were by nature children of wrath.' Eph 2:2. Adam left an unhappy portion to his posterity, Sin and Misery. Having considered the first of these, original sin, we shall now advert to the misery of that state. In the first, we have seen mankind offending;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken Formerly, this was the Second Time of Its Desolation. A Brief Account of Its History.
1. And thus was Jerusalem taken, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. It had been taken five [34] times before, though this was the second time of its desolation; for Shishak, the king of Egypt, and after him Antiochus, and after him Pompey, and after them Sosius and Herod, took the city, but still preserved it; but before all these, the king of Babylon conquered it, and made it desolate, one thousand four hundred and sixty-eight years and
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them, in thought, word, and deed. In many things we offend all.' James 3: 2. Man in his primitive state of innocence, was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law. He had rectitude of mind, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God's law written on his heart; no sooner did God command but he obeyed.
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Mercy of God
The next attribute is God's goodness or mercy. Mercy is the result and effect of God's goodness. Psa 33:5. So then this is the next attribute, God's goodness or mercy. The most learned of the heathens thought they gave their god Jupiter two golden characters when they styled him good and great. Both these meet in God, goodness and greatness, majesty and mercy. God is essentially good in himself and relatively good to us. They are both put together in Psa 119:98. Thou art good, and doest good.' This
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation,
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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