Jeremiah

Jeremiah 44: Turn from idols to the LORD

Begin in prayer

Before we read how God’s people turned to idols, and how the LORD’s warnings came true, let us come before Him in prayer. Ask Him to show us anything we love more than Him, to be with our family as we read, and to show us Jesus, who saves sinners from their sin.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens.

Psalms 96:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You alone are God, and that the things we make and trust in place of You are empty. Show us Jesus, who came to save sinners, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Jeremiah speaks the word of the LORD to the Jews living in Egypt, in Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis and Pathros (verse 1). The LORD sent His prophets again and again, saying, “Oh, don’t do this abominable thing that I hate” (verses 4 and 5). The people did not listen or turn from their wickedness, so the LORD’s anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem (verses 5 and 6). The LORD asks why they bring great evil on themselves by burning incense to other gods in Egypt (verses 7 and 8). The people vow to keep burning incense to the queen of the sky, since they had plenty of food then (verses 15 to 19). Jeremiah answers that the LORD remembered their incense and their sin, and that the disaster came just as He said (verses 20 to 23). The LORD swears the remnant in Egypt will be consumed, and He gives Pharaoh Hophra to his enemies as a sign (verses 26 to 30).

As you read Jeremiah 44, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD calls His people to turn from idols, and His warnings always come true.

The Jews in Egypt lived in several cities, and Jeremiah spoke the word of the LORD to all of them (verse 1). Burning incense to the queen of the sky was idol worship, and the LORD calls it serving other gods (verses 3 and 17). An idol is anything we trust or love in place of God, and it cannot save. The LORD calls this an abomination, a thing that He hates, because it turns hearts away from Him (verse 4). The people thought the queen of the sky gave them food, but their idols brought the disaster (verses 17, 18, 22 and 23). Idol worship harms the people who give themselves to it, and it harmed these families as well (verses 9 and 10). The LORD said the Jews who had fled to Egypt would be consumed there, so Egypt could not save them (verses 12 to 14). The LORD is patient, because He sent His servants the prophets early and often, long before the judgment came (verses 4 and 5). Jesus came to save sinners from their sin.

How does Jeremiah 44 show us that the LORD calls His people to turn from idols, and that His warnings always come true?

The LORD sends His prophets again and again.

The LORD sent His prophets early and often, saying, “Oh, don’t do this abominable thing that I hate” (verses 4 and 5). The people did not listen or turn from their wickedness (verse 5). Jesus is the greater Prophet.

Idols bring ruin, not peace.

The people said the queen of the sky gave them plenty of food (verses 17 and 18). But Jeremiah shows that their idols and their sins brought the disaster on the land (verses 22 and 23). Only the living LORD gives true life, and Jesus saves those who turn from their idols.

The LORD’s warnings always come true.

The LORD swears that the remnant in Egypt will be consumed, and that only a few will return (verses 26 to 28). The sign of Pharaoh Hophra shows that His words will stand (verses 29 and 30). Jesus bore the judgment for sin on the cross.

Memorize

Oh, don’t do this abominable thing that I hate.

Jeremiah 44:4

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, is there an idol in my heart that I love more than Jesus?

The people in Egypt vowed to keep burning incense to the queen of the sky, because it gave them food (verses 15 to 18). The LORD says their idols brought them ruin, and that He had seen their sin (verses 21 to 23). Idols promise life, but they cannot give it.

Jesus is the living God who came to save sinners. He bore the sin of His people, and He rose from the dead. The cross is enough for all who come to Him. Jesus welcomes sinners. Please turn from every idol and trust Him, because He forgives all who come to Him, and only He can save.

The LORD is patient, and He sent His prophets again and again to call His people home. Today He calls you through His Word to turn from every idol and trust Jesus. Do not wait until the warnings come true, as they did for the people in Egypt.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD calls people to turn from idols, and that His warnings always come true. Parents, you may want to explain verse 7, which speaks of families being cut off because of idols. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is patient, and bring the heart question to Him. Each child may pray, in their own words, if they are ready.

that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them

Acts 14:15

Lord, thank You that You are patient, and that You call sinners to turn from idols. Forgive us for the times we love things more than You. Thank You for Jesus, who bore the punishment for our sin and rose from the dead. Help us to turn from every idol, trust Him, and walk with You this week. Amen.