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Commentary on Jeremiah 44 verses 15–19
We have here the people's obstinate refusal to submit to the power of the word of God in the mouth of Jeremiah. We have scarcely such an instance of downright daring contradiction to God himself as this, or such an avowed rebellion of the carnal mind. Observe,
I. The persons who thus set God and his judgments at defiance; it was not some one that was thus obstinate, but the generality of the Jews; and they were such as knew either themselves or their wives to be guilty of the idolatry Jeremiah had reproved, Jer 44:15. We find, 1. That the women had been more guilty of idolatry and superstition than the men, not because the men stuck closer to the true God and the true religion than the women, but, I fear, because they were generally atheists, and were for no God and no religion at all, and therefore could easily allow their wives to be of a false religion, and to worship false gods. 2. That it was consciousness of guilt that made them impatient of reproof: They knew that their wives had burnt incense to other gods, and that they had countenanced them in it, and the women that stood by knew that they had joined with them in their idolatrous usages; so that what Jeremiah said touched them in a sore place, which made them kick against the pricks, as children of Belial, that will not bear the yoke.
II. The reply which these persons made to Jeremiah, and in him to God himself; it is in effect the same with theirs who had the impudence to say to the Almighty, Depart from us; we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
1.They declare their resolution not to do as God commanded them, but what they themselves had a mind to do; that is, they would go on to worship the moon, here called the queen of heaven; yet some understand it of the sun, which was much worshipped in Egypt (Jer 43:13) and had been so at Jerusalem (Kg2 23:11), and they say that the Hebrew word for the sun being feminine it may not unfitly be called the queen of heaven. And others understand it of all the host of heaven, or the frame of heaven, the whole machine, Jer 7:18. These daring sinners do not now go about to make excuses for their refusal to obey, nor suggest that Jeremiah spoke from himself and not from God (as before, Jer 43:2), but they own that he spoke to them in the name of the Lord, and yet tell him flatly, in so many words, "We will not hearken unto thee; we will do that which is forbidden and run the hazard of that which is threatened." Note, Those that live in disobedience to God commonly grow worse and worse, and the heart is more and more hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Here is the genuine language of the rebellious heart: We will certainly do whatsoever thing goes forth out of our own mouth, let God and his prophets say what they please to the contrary. What they said many think who yet have not arrived at such a degree of impudence as to speak it out. It is that which the young man would be at in the days of his youth; he would walk in the way of his heart and the sight of his eyes, and would have and do every thing he has a mind to, Ecc 11:9.
2.They give some sort of reasons for their resolution; for the most absurd and unreasonably wicked men will have something to say for themselves, till the day comes when every mouth shall be stopped.
(1.)They plead many of those things which the advocates for Rome make the marks of a true church, and not only justify but magnify themselves with; and these Jews have as much right to them as the Romanists have. [1.] They plead antiquity: We are resolved to burn incense to the queen of heaven, for our fathers did so; it is a practice that pleads prescription; and why should we pretend to be wiser than our fathers? [2.] They plead authority. Those that had power practised it themselves and prescribed it to others: Our kings and our princes did it, whom God set over us, and who were of the seed of David. [3.] They plead unity. It was not here and there one that did it, but we, we all with one consent, we that are a great multitude (Jer 44:15), we did it. [4.] They plead universality. It was not done here and there, but in the cities of Judah. [5.] They plead visibility. It was not done in a corner, in dark and shady groves only, but in the streets, openly and publicly. [6.] They plead that it was the practice of the mother-church, the holy see; it was not now learned first in Egypt, but it had been done in Jerusalem. [7.] They plead prosperity: They had we plenty of bread, and of all good things; we were well and saw no evil. All the former pleas, I fear, were too true in fact; God's witnesses against their idolatry were few and hid; Elijah though that he was left alone: and this last might perhaps be true as to some particular persons, but, as to their nation, they were still under rebukes for their rebellions, and there was no peace to those that went out or came in, Ch2 15:5. But, supposing all to be true, yet this does not at all excuse them from idolatry; it is the law of God that we must be ruled and judged by, hot the practice of men.
(2.)They suggest that the judgments they had of late been under were brought upon them for leaving off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, Jer 44:18. So perversely did they misconstrue providence, though God, by his prophets, had so often explained it to them, and the thing itself spoke the direct contrary. Since we forsook our idolatries we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword, the true reason of which was because they still retained their idols in their heart and an affection to their old sins; but they would have it thought that it was because they had forsaken the acts of sin. Thus the afflictions which should have been for their welfare, to separate between them and their sins, being misinterpreted did but confirm them in their sins. Thus, in the first ages of Christianity, when God chastised the nations by any public calamities for opposing the Christians and persecuting them, they put a contrary sense upon the calamities, as if they were sent to punish them for conniving at the Christians and tolerating them, and cried, Christianos ad leones - Throw the Christians to the lions. Yet, if it had been true, as they said here, that since they returned to the service of the true God, the God of Israel, they had been in want and trouble, was that a reason why they should revolt from him again? That was as much as to say that they served not him, but their own bellies. Those who know God, and put their trust in him, will serve him, though he starve them, though he slay them, though they never see a good day with him in this world, being well assured that they shall not lose by him in the end.
(3.)They plead that, though the women were most forward and active in their idolatries, yet they did it with the consent and approbation of their husbands; the women were busy to make cakes for meat-offerings to the queen of heaven and to prepare and pour out the drink-offerings, Jer 44:19. We found, before, that this was their work, Jer 7:18. "But did we do it without our husbands, privately and unknown to them, so as to give them occasion to be jealous of us? No; the fathers kindled the fire while the women kneaded the dough; the men that were our heads, whom we were bound to learn of and to be obedient to, taught us to do it by their example." Note, It is sad when those who are in the nearest relation to each other, who should quicken each other to that which is good and so help one another to heaven, harden each other in sin and so ripen one another for hell. Some understand this as spoken by the husbands (Jer 44:15), who plead that they did not do it without their men, that is, without their elders and rulers, their great men, and men in authority; but, because the making of the cakes and the pouring out of the drink-offerings are expressly spoken of as the women's work (Jer 7:18), it seems rather to be understood as their plea: but it was a frivolous plea. What would it avail them to be able to say that it was according to their husbands' mind, when they knew that it was contrary to their God's mind?
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:16 encapsulates a pivotal and tragic moment of outright defiance from the Jewish remnant who had sought refuge in Egypt. Despite the prophet Jeremiah's clear and authoritative pronouncements delivered directly "in the name of the LORD," the people collectively and stubbornly declare their unequivocal refusal to obey God's word, choosing instead to persist in their deeply entrenched idolatrous practices. This verse stands as a stark and sobering testament to the human heart's capacity for profound spiritual rebellion and the willful rejection of divine truth, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of past judgments and impending doom.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 44:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey the depth and audacity of the people's rebellion. The most prominent is Direct Address, where the people speak directly and defiantly to Jeremiah, creating an immediate and confrontational tone that highlights their boldness in rejecting divine authority. This is further amplified by the powerful use of Antithesis, sharply contrasting the divine "word... in the name of the LORD" with their stark and unyielding declaration, "we will not hearken unto thee." This sharp opposition underscores the fundamental conflict between God's sovereign will and human obstinacy. The verse also functions as a powerful example of Foreshadowing, as this explicit rejection of God's word directly anticipates the severe judgments that God subsequently promises to bring upon them in Egypt, confirming their tragic fate due to their unrepentant hearts and persistent rebellion.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 44:16 stands as a chilling testament to the human heart's profound capacity for hardened rebellion against divine authority. It vividly illustrates the perilous nature of selective hearing, where individuals acknowledge God's word but willfully choose to disregard its commands, particularly when those commands conflict with personal desires, cultural norms, or perceived self-interest. This defiance is not merely a lapse in obedience but a direct challenge to God's sovereignty and character, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness that prioritizes false security and idolatrous practices over covenant faithfulness. The theological implication is clear: persistent, unrepentant rebellion against God's revealed will inevitably leads to judgment, as divine patience has limits and God's word, though rejected by humanity, will ultimately stand and be fulfilled.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:16 serves as a profound and sobering mirror for believers today, urging us to examine the posture of our own hearts towards God's word. It challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to Scripture and embrace a posture of active, humble, and wholehearted obedience. The danger lies not only in outright rejection, but also in the subtle ways we might rationalize disobedience, prioritize personal comfort or convenience over divine command, or allow cultural influences and societal pressures to dilute the authority of God's truth in our lives. This passage calls us to cultivate a spirit of genuine "hearkening"—not just hearing with our ears, but listening attentively with our hearts, understanding deeply with our minds, and responding with willing submission in our actions. It reminds us that true faith is demonstrated not by what we say we believe, but by how we live in response to God's revealed will, recognizing that persistent rebellion carries severe spiritual consequences, while humble obedience leads to life, blessing, and deeper communion with our Creator.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did the Jewish remnant flee to Egypt, and why was it considered an act of rebellion?
Answer: The Jewish remnant fled to Egypt after the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon over Judah. They feared further Babylonian reprisals and sought safety and sustenance in Egypt, believing it offered a secure refuge. However, this move was considered a profound act of rebellion because the prophet Jeremiah had explicitly delivered a message from the Lord forbidding them to go to Egypt. God had promised divine protection and blessing if they remained in Judah, but warned of severe judgment if they went to Egypt (see Jeremiah 42:19-20). Their decision to go was a direct act of distrust in God's word and a preference for their own perceived security and human reasoning over divine command.
What was the "queen of heaven" that they were worshipping, and why was it so appealing to them?
Answer: The "queen of heaven" was a prominent pagan deity, likely a fertility goddess such as Ishtar (Babylonian) or Astarte (Canaanite), whose worship was widespread throughout the ancient Near East. This goddess was associated with fertility, prosperity, abundance, and protection. For the Jewish remnant, the appeal stemmed from a deeply ingrained syncretistic belief that worshipping this deity brought them material blessings and good fortune. They explicitly state in Jeremiah 44:17-19 that they experienced prosperity and lacked nothing when they worshipped her in Judah. This highlights a common human tendency to gravitate towards practices that promise immediate, tangible benefits, even if they contradict divine truth and covenant faithfulness.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:16, with its stark portrayal of a people defiantly rejecting the "word... in the name of the LORD," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. He is the very "Word" of God incarnate, the definitive and perfect revelation of God's character and will, as profoundly declared in John 1:1 and John 1:14. Unlike the disobedient remnant in Egypt, Jesus perfectly "hearkened" to the Father's will, embodying ultimate obedience even unto the humiliating and sacrificial death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). Yet, just as Jeremiah's divine message was rejected by those who claimed to be God's people, so too was Christ's message and His very person rejected by many of His own, who refused to "hearken" to His call to repentance and faith (John 1:11). The judgment promised to those who stubbornly rejected God's word through Jeremiah foreshadows the ultimate judgment awaiting all who reject the Son, for "whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him" (John 3:36). Conversely, for those who do "hearken" to Christ's voice and follow Him, there is eternal life, freedom from condemnation, and the promise of His abiding presence (John 10:27-28). Thus, Jeremiah 44:16 serves as a poignant backdrop, highlighting the profound grace and life offered in Christ to all who will hear and obey, contrasting sharply with the tragic consequences of persistent rebellion.