Day #234

Sermon - Audio
Jeremiah 41-45 - Audio
Jeremiah 41-45 - Reading

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Daily Reading Jeremiah 41-45

The notes today come from the Concise Tyndale Bible Commentary (except where noted)

39:11–43:7 MURDER AND FLIGHT TO EGYPT

At Ramah (40:1), situated five miles north of Jerusalem, the Judeans were gathered in preparation for deportation. In the absence of a Judean king, Gedaliah was appointed governor of Judah (40:5; cf. 2 Kings 25:22–24). Mizpah (now Tell en-Nasbeh) was located eight miles north of Jerusalem. It became the administrative center during Gedaliah’s short governorship (Jer. 40:6).

Why was Gedaliah assassinated (41:1–2)? It may have been that Ishmael, a member of the royal family, was jealous for the throne. Or perhaps Gedaliah was viewed as a traitor for assuming a post under the appointment of the Babylonians. The men demonstrated extreme signs of mourning at his death (41:5). “Geruth-kimham” meant the lodging place of Kimham, the son of Barzillai, who exhibited such kindness to David (41:17; cf. 2 Sam. 17:27–29; 19:31–39).

New Bible Commentary: The word from the Lord does not come immediately; Jeremiah cannot command it (7). When it comes it is couched in familiar terms (10; cf. 1:10; 18:7–10) and represents an adaptation of the message Jeremiah has preached in the past. It still involves submission to Babylon and carries the assurance the people needed about reprisals (11; cf. 41:18). The word also testifies to the Lord’s grief over the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem (10). This is not a new note in the prophecy (see on 9:1–3). However, it now looks back on the judgment, rather than forward to it. The Lord’s intention for his people is now to bless, in accordance with his promises of chs. 30–33. This prophecy is also like previous ones, however, in that it needs a response. The people must be willing to stay in the land and have faith that God can and will be as good as his word. If they do not, then there is, as ever, a dark side of the future, an alternative to the blessing which God would give. Trust in Egypt is just as much an offence to God now as it has ever been (24:8), for it represents unbelief.

43:8–44:30 NO HELP IN EGYPT

Jeremiah’s prediction of the Babylonian conquest of Egypt was fulfilled in 568 b.c. by Nebuchadnezzar during the reign of Pharaoh Ahmosis II (43:8–13). Heliopolis (“city of the sun”), or “temple of the sun” (43:13), located near modern Cairo, was a worship center for the sun-god Ra. The “sacred pillars” (43:13) were tall, tapered granite shafts used by the Egyptians as monuments.

The impression given in v 1 is of a settled and scattered Jewish community; the recent migrants may have joined already existing Jewish groups living there. They are addressed once more through Jeremiah, who first recalls the recent destruction of Judah as a result of long disobedience to God. The sin in question, as ever, is idolatry, the basic rejection of God, and the terms are familiar (3–6; cf. 1:16; 11:17). The memory is meant as an object lesson. The Lord is as good as his word.

New Bible Commentary: “The aim, however, is to turn the remnant in Egypt back to him (7–10). They continue, evidently, to worship other gods (8). The word to them, therefore, is based on their own present rebellion against God, not on the past behaviour of either themselves or their forefathers—though that was rebellious too (9). Idolatry continues, possibly now with Egyptian gods (8). The sin is the same, however, whether it persists in old practices or experiments with new ones. Punishment is sure to follow, with that element of shame which is entailed when the nations of the world look on at the fate of the people of the Lord (8b; cf. 24:9; 25:18). This, however, is the last thing God desires; he implores the people to avert the judgment (8a).”

Rejecting the words of Jeremiah, the Jews declared their allegiance to the “Queen of Heaven” (44:17), a reference to the heathen fertility deity known in Canaan as Astarte (the Babylonian Ishtar). The downfall of Pharaoh Hophra (588–569 b.c.) would serve to confirm God’s word through Jeremiah (44:29–30). He was assassinated by a former government official Amasis, also known as Ahmoses II (569–526 b.c.).

45:1–5 Summary

The brief message of Jeremiah in 45:1–5 to his scribe, Baruch, was dictated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, or 605 b.c. Baruch’s reward was his physical preservation. He would suffer with the Judeans, but his life would be spared.