Jeremiah 44:7
So now, this is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Why are you doing such great harm to yourselves by cutting off from Judah man and woman, child and infant, leaving yourselves without a remnant?
So now, this is what the LORD
The phrase "So now" indicates a transition, a call to immediate attention and action. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction underscores the authority and seriousness of the message that follows, as it comes directly from the covenant-keeping God of Israel.

the God of Hosts
This title, "God of Hosts," or "YHWH Sabaoth," reflects God's supreme command over the armies of heaven and earth. It conveys His omnipotence and sovereignty, reminding the people of Judah of His power to protect and to judge. Historically, this title reassures the faithful of God's ability to fulfill His promises and execute His will.

the God of Israel
By identifying Himself as "the God of Israel," the Lord reaffirms His special relationship with the nation of Israel. This covenantal identity is a reminder of the promises made to the patriarchs and the unique calling of Israel as God's chosen people. It serves as a call to remember their identity and obligations under the covenant.

says
The use of "says" indicates a direct communication from God, emphasizing the prophetic nature of Jeremiah's message. It is not merely a suggestion or opinion but a divine declaration that demands attention and response.

Why are you doing such great harm to yourselves
This rhetorical question highlights the self-destructive behavior of the people. The Hebrew root for "harm" suggests not just physical damage but moral and spiritual corruption. It is a call to self-examination, urging the people to recognize the consequences of their actions against God's will.

to cut off from Judah man and woman, child and infant
The phrase "to cut off" implies a complete and utter destruction, a severing of the community's future. The listing of "man and woman, child and infant" underscores the totality of the impending judgment, affecting every demographic and leaving no one untouched. It reflects the severity of the consequences of their disobedience.

leaving yourselves without a remnant
A "remnant" in biblical terms often refers to a small, faithful group preserved by God through judgment. The absence of a remnant signifies total desolation and the loss of hope for future restoration. This warning serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of turning away from God and the potential for complete spiritual and physical ruin.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is addressing His people through the prophet Jeremiah.

2. Jeremiah
The prophet who is delivering God's message to the people of Judah.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which is facing judgment due to its disobedience and idolatry.

4. The People of Judah
The recipients of the message, who are engaging in practices that lead to their own destruction.

5. Egypt
The place where many of the Judeans have fled, seeking refuge but continuing in idolatry.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God leads to self-destruction. The people of Judah are warned that their actions are causing great harm to themselves.

The Importance of a Remnant
God desires to preserve a remnant. The warning against cutting off man, woman, child, and infant highlights the importance of maintaining a faithful group who can carry on God's promises.

God's Relentless Pursuit
Despite their rebellion, God continues to reach out to His people. This demonstrates His relentless love and desire for their repentance and restoration.

The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry leads to spiritual and physical ruin. The people of Judah are reminded that their idolatrous practices are the root of their problems.

The Call to Self-Examination
Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives for areas of disobedience and idolatry, understanding that these lead to spiritual harm.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern-day "idols" that can lead us away from God, and how can we guard against them?

2. How does the concept of a "remnant" apply to the church today, and what role do we play in preserving faithfulness?

3. In what ways does God demonstrate His love and patience in our lives, even when we are disobedient?

4. How can we apply the lessons from Jeremiah 44:7 to make better choices that align with God's will?

5. What steps can we take to ensure that we are not causing "great harm" to ourselves spiritually, as warned in Jeremiah 44:7?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
This passage emphasizes the choice between life and death, blessing and curse, which parallels the decision the people of Judah face in Jeremiah 44:7.

2 Kings 17:13-18
This passage recounts the warnings given to Israel and Judah about idolatry and the consequences of ignoring God's commands, similar to the warnings in Jeremiah.

Isaiah 1:18-20
This passage offers a call to repentance and the consequences of continued rebellion, echoing the themes found in Jeremiah 44:7.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
This passage calls for repentance and a new heart, aligning with the call for change in Jeremiah 44:7.
A Severe Lesson UnlearnedD. Young Jeremiah 44:1-10
The Condition of Hardened Sinners DesperateA.F. Muir Jeremiah 44:1-14
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
Armies, Baby, Breast, Bring, Causing, Child, Commit, Cut, Cutting, Disaster, Evil, Harm, Hosts, Infant, Infants, Judah, Leave, Leaving, Midst, None, Remaining, Remnant, Says, Souls, Suckling, Thus, Till, Wherefore, Women, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 44:7-8

     7145   remnant

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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