Who were the people in Jeremiah 44 and what advantages did they have?
In Jeremiah 44, the people were Israel, God's covenant people, including men whose wives burned incense to other gods, women standing by, a great multitude, and all dwelling in Egypt and Pathos. Their advantages included the Temple in their midst, the priesthood, and a good part of the Old Testament. They refused Jeremiah's word.
Les explains that Jeremiah 44 describes Israel, God's covenant people, who had the Temple right in their midst, the priesthood, and a good part of the Old Testament, yet were involved in idolatry. The men knew their wives had burned incense to other gods, and the women stood by as a great multitude, along with all the people dwelling in Egypt and Pathos. They answered Jeremiah and said they would not hearken to the word spoken in the name of the Lord. Les also notes Jeremiah lived at the time of the Babylonian siege.