Jeremiah 44:17 – “We will certainly do everything we said we would: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and will pour out drink offerings to her just as we and our ancestors, our kings and our officials did in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and were well off and suffered no harm.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, the Jewish remnant in Egypt respond defiantly to Jeremiah’s warnings. They declare their intention to continue worshiping the “Queen of Heaven,” a pagan goddess often associated with fertility and prosperity. They justify their rebellion by claiming that life was better when they worshiped her—when they had “plenty of food” and “suffered no harm.”
This response shows their complete rejection of God’s message. Instead of repenting, they blame their troubles on the fact that they stopped worshiping the Queen of Heaven. In their minds, obedience to God brought hardship, while idolatry brought prosperity. This reveals their misunderstanding of God’s character and their own spiritual blindness.
Historical Context
The “Queen of Heaven” likely refers to a pagan goddess worshiped by surrounding nations, such as the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar or the Canaanite Astarte. Worshiping her involved burning incense, pouring out drink offerings, and engaging in rituals meant to secure fertility, good harvests, and protection. This idolatry had become widespread in Judah before the fall of Jerusalem.
The people’s argument reflects their belief that their prosperity in earlier days was tied to their idol worship. However, the prophets repeatedly told them that their suffering and Jerusalem’s destruction were consequences of their idolatry, not their abandonment of it (Jeremiah 7:18-20).
Theological Implications
This verse reveals a dangerous misunderstanding of God’s nature and purposes. The people wrongly attributed their previous “good fortune” to a false god rather than recognizing that their blessings came from the one true God. This reflects humanity’s tendency to place trust in idols—things we believe provide security, happiness, or success—rather than in God.
It also highlights the stubbornness of sin. Despite clear evidence of God’s judgment on their idolatry, the people chose to continue in rebellion, believing a lie rather than trusting God’s truth. This demonstrates the spiritual blindness that can come from persistent sin.
Literary Analysis
The verse’s structure emphasizes the people’s defiance and determination to worship the Queen of Heaven. The phrase “We will certainly do everything we said we would” is a firm declaration of their rebellion. Their reasoning—that life was better when they practiced idolatry—adds a tragic irony because their earlier prosperity was due to God’s blessing, not false gods.
The repetition of “we” throughout the verse (“we and our ancestors, our kings and our officials”) highlights the widespread nature of their idolatry, spanning generations and leadership. This adds weight to their guilt.
Biblical Cross-References
- Jeremiah 7:18 – A reference to the worship of the Queen of Heaven, involving families participating in idolatry.
- Hosea 2:8 – God rebukes Israel for not recognizing that their blessings came from Him, not idols.
- Deuteronomy 6:10-12 – A warning not to forget God when experiencing prosperity.
- Exodus 32:1-6 – The Israelites worshiping the golden calf, believing it brought them success.
- James 1:17 – A reminder that every good gift comes from God, not from any other source.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a warning about misplaced trust. Just as the people of Judah attributed their blessings to false gods, we can sometimes credit our success, comfort, or happiness to things other than God—such as money, careers, relationships, or material possessions. This passage reminds us that God alone is the source of every good thing.
It also challenges us to consider our response to hardship. Like the Jewish remnant, we may be tempted to think that obedience to God brings only difficulty, while ignoring Him brings ease. But Scripture teaches us that true life, peace, and security come only through faithfulness to God, even when it’s difficult.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is seen in His persistence. Even as the people stubbornly clung to idolatry, God continued to warn them through Jeremiah. His warnings were not acts of cruelty but invitations to turn back to Him and avoid the destruction their sin would bring.
This verse also highlights God’s faithfulness. The people may have forgotten who blessed them in the past, but God had not forgotten His covenant with them. His love doesn’t change, even when His people rebel.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse reveals the human condition: we often look for blessings, security, and satisfaction in the wrong places. Jesus Christ came to confront this problem directly. In Him, we find the true source of life, provision, and peace.
In John 6:35, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Unlike the Queen of Heaven or other idols, Jesus offers lasting fulfillment and meets our deepest needs. Through His sacrifice on the cross, He restores us to a right relationship with God, freeing us from the empty promises of idols.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there things in your life that you rely on for security or success instead of trusting in God?
- How do you respond to hardship—do you blame God or draw closer to Him?
- What does this passage teach you about recognizing God as the true source of blessings in your life?
- How can you guard against spiritual blindness that comes from holding onto sin or believing lies?
- In what ways does Jesus provide the peace, provision, and fulfillment that idols can never offer?