Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 44 - Verse 17

The verse refers to a practice common in ancient Judah of worshiping the "queen of heaven" by burning incense and pouring out drink offerings to her. This deity was likely a fertility goddess prevalent in ancient Near Eastern religions. The people of Judah believed that by carrying out these rituals, they would ensure prosperity, abundance, and protection from harm. They attribute their past successes and well-being to the worship of this deity, claiming that in the cities of Judah and streets of Jerusalem, they had plenty of food, were healthy, and experienced peace. The verse highlights the deep-rooted tradition of idol worship and the belief in the power of these rituals to bring blessings and security. Despite warnings against such practices in the Bible, the people of Judah continued to follow the ways of their ancestors, including their kings and princes, in offering sacrifices to the queen of heaven.

This verse from the book of Jeremiah illustrates a troubling aspect of the people's behavior towards the false goddess known as the "queen of heaven." Despite being warned by the prophet Jeremiah against worshiping idols and false deities, the people of Judah stubbornly persisted in their rebellious ways. By saying they will continue to offer incense and drink offerings to the queen of heaven, they are essentially defying the will of the one true God. Their actions not only reveal their disobedience, but also their lack of faith in God's ability to provide for them. The reference to having plenty of food and being prosperous when they worshiped the queen of heaven serves to highlight their misplaced trust in false gods. This verse serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to the one true God.