Definition: But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all [things], and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 44:18. It’s a really important part of understanding what happened during a very difficult time in ancient Israel. Here's a simplified explanation: The Situation: They left off burning incense and offering drink offerings to the “queen of heaven.” This was a ritual practice in ancient times, where people would offer gifts and prayers to God – essentially, to show respect and gratitude. They were doing this specifically for a powerful deity they believed was connected to Heaven. They became consumed by the sword and famine. This is the real problem. The Israelites were experiencing a severe drought and a period of conflict with neighboring peoples (the “sword” refers to war). This caused widespread hardship, hunger, and suffering. So, what does this verse mean? It’s saying that because they stopped offering these rituals – the incense and drink offerings – they became so focused on survival and dealing with the problems of the time (the sword and famine) that they overdid it. They became overly consumed by worry and the difficulties of their situation. They were so preoccupied with avoiding hardship that they lost sight of God and his purpose. In short, it’s a cautionary tale about: Focusing too much on things outside of God. Being overwhelmed by problems – it's important to remember to stay grounded in faith and trust in God. It’s a reminder that even when things are tough, we should never lose our focus on the divine and seek guidance from God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Provide a metaphor or analogy to help illustrate the idea?