14. Into the land of Egypt. The land of the Nile seemed to offer a safe and peaceful place in which to dwell. It was the granary of the East, and its abundant harvests would provide a pleasing and much-to-be-desired contrast with the famine conditions the “remnant” ( 2) had experienced because of the Babylonian invasion.
The very answer of the prophet to the people gave evidence that it was inspired by God. The secret intents, wishes, or hopes of the people to go to Egypt (see 14-20), in spite of their professed willingness to follow the counsel of the Lord, whatever it might be (see on 5), were now unveiled by God in this message given through Jeremiah. God in His mercy did not leave the people unwarned as to the consequences of rejecting His message ( 16-18).