Why does the Lord tell Jeremiah to hide large stones in the pavement at the entrance to Pharoah’s palace in Tahpanhes

 The previous section (Jeremiah 40:1–43:7), described the fate of the remnant that remained in Judah after the Babylonian invasion and exile of 587 BC. It was a sad tale of a still rebellious people who fled to Egypt despite the Lord warning them through his prophet not to.

This next section (Jeremiah 43:8–45:5) describes what happens to all the Judeans who had fled to Egypt during and before the Babylonian invasion. It also contains the last recorded oracle delivered by Jeremiah. Jeremiah is still with the group that Johanan had taken to Tahpanhes in Egypt (Jeremiah 43:6–7).

The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes and he is told to hide large stones in the mortar in the pavement that is at the entrance to Pharoah’s palace in Tahpanhes. This is another symbolic act that the Lord’s prophet is to perform. The reference to Pharoah’s palace is probably a governors' house that was used by Pharoah when he visited the area.¹ It represented Pharoah’s rule over Egypt.

 As is always the case, the Lord gives the meaning of Jeremiah’s symbolic act. The Lord is going to send Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, who will set up his throne where the stones have been hidden. The implication of this message is that the Lord is the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel. He is the sovereign Lord who directs kings and nations. Nebuchadnezzar is still his servant and even if he does not realize it, Nebuchadnezzar will come and carry out the Lord’s plans in Egypt.