v1-2: The immediate response to Jeremiah’s message, “you are lying!” Here was a blatant accusation, contrast 42.5-6.

2 Chr 36.21 predicted that the land would remain desolate for 70 years; the departure to Egypt, driven by the people’s disobedience, actually helped to fulfil this word.

Azariah and Johanan and all the “arrogant men” spoke. These are not the words of humble men, concerned to know and obey God’s word.

v3: Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe, was also implicated in the ‘conspiracy.’

v4-7: Johanan forced the people to go to Egypt. Many of the people had only just returned to Judah from where they had previously been scattered.

v8: Even in the place of disobedience, God’s word came to the people. This was evidently some time later.

v9-11: The first prophecy was that Babylon would extend its arm to Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar, the very king they were fleeing, would catch up with them in Egypt. Death and captivity and the sword would follow them.

v12-13: The idols of Egypt would also prove useless; they would be unable to deliver the Egyptians, and the Jews who came to trust in them.