7 and they came into the land of Egypt; for they didn’t obey the voice of Yahweh: and they came to Tahpanhes.
8 Then came the word of Yahweh to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, 9 Take great stones in your hand, and hide them in mortar in the brick work, which is at the entry of Pharaoh’s house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 43:7-9
Commentary on Jeremiah 43:1-7
(Read Jeremiah 43:1-7)
Only by pride comes contention, both with God and man. They preferred their own wisdom to the revealed will of God. Men deny the Scriptures to be the word of God, because they are resolved not to conform themselves to Scripture rules. When men will persist in sin, they charge the best actions to bad motives. These Jews deserted their own land, and threw themselves out of God's protection. It is the folly of men, that they often ruin themselves by wrong endeavours to mend their situation.
Commentary on Jeremiah 43:8-13
(Read Jeremiah 43:8-13)
God can find his people wherever they are. The Spirit of prophecy was not confined to the land of Israel. It is foretold that Nebuchadnezzar should destroy and carry into captivity many of the Egyptians. Thus God makes one wicked man, or wicked nation, a scourge and plague to another. He will punish those who deceive his professing people, or tempt them to rebellion.