In Jeremiah 44 Jeremiah tells the remnant of the Judeans who had gone down into Egypt of the LORD’s complete judgment on them for worshiping false gods both in Judah and in Egypt. He singled out the women for offering sacrifices to the Queen of Heaven. In response, the women said they would continue to offer their offerings to the Queen of Heaven, because when they did it in Judah, they had plenty. They told Jeremiah they made their offerings with the full affirmation of their husbands. Jeremiah responded the LORD was punishing them, because of their offerings to false gods, and his response would be complete. Only a few would ever return to Judah, but the vast majority would be destroyed by the sword, pestilence, and famine. Jeremiah told them the Pharaoh of Egypt would suffer the same fate as King Zedekiah, and be carried off into exile, and that he would not be able to offer any protection to them.
Jeremiah 45 is brief and is directed at Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe. The LORD’s message to Baruch was he would, indeed, experience the devastation of the people of Judah, but he himself would be spared.
Jeremiah 46 is a lengthy condemnation of the land of Egypt. In it the LORD promises to use Babylon to crush Egypt, and to not leave them with any strength or power. In extensive detail, the LORD tells how and where it will happen. At the end of the chapter the LORD also tells the people of Judah they will be offered a reprieve at the end of it all. While He promises to make a “full end” of Egypt, He also promises not to make a “full end” of Judah, but to restore them in the future.
As we return to Matthew 10, we find Jesus calling the twelve who He wants to appoint as disciples/apostles. Then He does what He told them to pray for at the end of Matthew 9: He sends them out into the harvest field. He gives them extensive instructions. He tells them they will have His authority, but He also tells them they will be hated, and will be dragged before kings and other authorities. He tells them they will be hated by their own family members, but in the end if they are faithful they will receive their reward. Anyone who reads Matthew 10 must understand Jesus did not promise an easy life filled with blessing and material riches for those who follow Him. He promised an abundant eternal life, and He promised we would have trouble and challenge both among our families and out in the world. Jesus was always completely honest, and as He sent out the twelve He assured them they would have what they needed, but it would come with great sacrifice and cross-bearing. We must understand that same promise is for us. Jesus will never abandon us, but that does not mean we won’t experience great challenge and difficulty. He was crucified and He was perfect, so we must expect the world to mistreat us as well–if we are following Him faithfully.