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Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 44 - Verse 8

44:8
In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?

Meaning

This verse from the book of Jeremiah is a warning from the prophet to the people of Judah who had turned away from God and started worshiping other gods. The people's actions of burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt were seen as a provocation to God, leading to His wrath. By seeking the favor of false gods, the people were abandoning their faith in the one true God who had brought them out of Egypt. The consequence of their actions would be cutting themselves off from God's blessings and becoming a curse and a reproach among all nations. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining faithful to God and avoiding the temptations of idolatry. It also emphasizes the concept of God's jealousy and the consequences of turning away from Him.

Theological Overview

This verse from Jeremiah 44:8 serves as a strong admonition to the people of Judah for their idolatry and disobedience towards God. The phrase "works of your hands" highlights the physical actions of the people in their worship of false gods, which provoked God's wrath. The act of burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt while in exile symbolizes a complete turning away from the true God, Yahweh. The mention of cutting themselves off emphasizes the severing of their relationship with God, leading to their status as a curse and a reproach among the nations. This verse showcases the consequences of forsaking God and serving idols, demonstrating God's righteous anger towards disobedience and the destructive nature of idol worship. The theological interpretation of this passage underscores the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of turning towards false gods.

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