John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 44:15-16

"Then all the men who knew that their wives burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great assembly, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying, As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of Jehovah, we will not hearken unto thee." — Jeremiah 44:15-16 (ASV)

Here the irreclaimable obstinacy of that nation is more fully seen, for Jeremiah had given them more than sufficient evidence of his integrity. They ought, therefore, to have been fully convinced that he was a true Prophet of God. Though they had disregarded him for forty years and more, he had still given full proof of his divine commission when he had constantly, even to the end, prophesied the destruction of the city and the Temple.

They had, therefore, learned from their own calamities that Jeremiah was an instrument of the Holy Spirit and a true interpreter of God’s will. And from this it appears how blind they were when they rejected all his admonitions and considered his threats as fables. Thus, as in a mirror, the Holy Spirit of God sets before us how great the madness of men is when Satan once takes possession of their minds.

But let us, at the same time, learn that this is the reward rendered to obstinacy when God’s Prophets are despised. It was, indeed, a monstrous and utterly disgraceful thing that they dared so insolently to repudiate the holy Prophet, even though they had been reduced to the greatest extremities and, having been stripped of all things, had fled into Egypt and lived there, as we have seen, in a servile and miserable condition. Since, then, they were still ferocious and still arrogant towards God’s Prophet, it thus appears that they were untamable.

He then says that all the men to whom the impiety of their wives was known answered Jeremiah. By these words, the Prophet intimates that the beginning of idolatry was from the women. Things, at that point, had not yet gone so far that all the men openly worshipped idols; but the women had taken this liberty, and the men readily indulged them.

But why, then, did the Prophet previously reprove them, as though they all made incense to idols? We doubtless learn from this passage that not only are those guilty before God who openly do what is wicked, but also those who tolerate such actions by connivance. For the men ought to have intervened to restrain their wives from polluting themselves with ungodly superstitions, but this they patiently endured. Therefore, their consent was the same as the deed, as we may rightly conclude from the words of the Prophet. He then says that the men offered incense—not, indeed, openly and with their own hands, but because they knew of their wives' actions, and this impiety was committed by the women with their consent. I cannot finish the rest now; I will continue with it tomorrow.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that since you test our faith by many trials, we may constantly persevere in the pure worship of your name and in calling on you in sincerity and truth; and that, as we are surrounded and beset on every side by many pollutions, we may preserve ourselves pure and devoted to you, both in body and soul, and thus proceed through the whole course of our lives, so that at last we may appear unpolluted before you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

[Exposition continues from previous day's lecture]

We began yesterday to explain what the Prophet says about the answer given to him by the men and women. The sum of it was that they would not do what the Prophet commanded them, even though he spoke to them in the name of God. They did not answer distinctly that the word of God or His oracle to them was of no account, but they impeached the fidelity of Jeremiah, as though he had falsely invoked the name of God.

But he says that the men who knew that their wives burnt incense to alien gods, answered him; and he afterwards adds, and the women who stood by. Some read, In the great assembly. But I have no doubt that the Prophet means that the answer was given jointly by the men and by the women. He then says that the women were also present. He afterwards adds, a great assembly. What follows is an explanation: the whole people who dwelt in the land of Egypt, who dwelt in Pathros in the land of Egypt, and especially in that part. We have spoken of Pathros elsewhere.

We see, in short, that God’s Prophet was rejected. Yet there is no doubt that the Jews pretended some religion, but they did not think they were bound to obey the command of a man. And from where did this contempt come? It arose from nothing but perverseness. For however hypocrites may dissemble and say that they do not despise God and His word, and may address their words to ministers, their impiety still betrays them. On the one hand, they pretend to worship God; yet, on the other, they reject those entrusted with His commands, whom He would have them hear. But God will not and cannot allow Himself to be separated from His word. Let us now continue.