For you have deceived yourselves by sending me to the LORD your God, saying, 'Pray to the LORD our God on our behalf, and as for all that the LORD our God says, tell it to us and we will do it.' For you have deceived yourselvesJudah’s remnant had promised obedience before hearing the Lord’s answer, yet they had already resolved to seek safety in Egypt. Their deceit was directed first at their own hearts, since they treated submission to God as acceptable only if His command agreed with their plans. Jas 1:22 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.… by sending me to the LORD your God, The people acknowledged Jeremiah as the Lord’s prophet and asked him to seek God’s direction. Yet their repeated reference to “the LORD your God” exposed distance in their own covenant loyalty. They wanted Jeremiah’s access to God without yielding themselves to God’s rule. Jer 21:2 Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf,…… saying, ‘Pray to the LORD our God on our behalf, After the assassination of Gedaliah, the frightened survivors sought an answer concerning Egypt. Their request for prayer resembled earlier occasions when Israel depended on a mediator, but fear had become stronger than faith in the Lord’s protection. 1Sa 12:19 They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God… and as for all that the LORD our God says, tell it to us They pledged to receive the entire message, not merely the parts that brought comfort or confirmed their desires. God’s word must be heard as His authority, not weighed as one option among human strategies. Deu 5:27 Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says.… and we will do it.’ Their promise made their later rebellion more serious. When Jeremiah commanded them to remain in Judah and warned against going to Egypt, they rejected the very word they had asked to hear. Genuine faith obeys God even when obedience appears dangerous and His command opposes human calculation. Exo 19:8 And all the people answered together, “We will do everything… Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his perseverance in delivering God's word despite opposition. 2. The Remnant of Judah The group of Israelites left in Judah after the Babylonian conquest. They sought guidance from God through Jeremiah. 3. Johanan A leader among the remnant who sought Jeremiah's counsel, representing the people's desire for divine direction. 4. Egypt The place where the remnant considered fleeing to escape Babylonian rule, against God's directive. 5. Babylonian Conquest The historical backdrop of this passage, where Judah was conquered, and many were exiled. Teaching Points Sincerity in Seeking God's WillWhen seeking God's guidance, ensure that your heart is genuinely open to His direction, even if it contradicts personal desires. The Danger of Self-Deception Be aware of the human tendency to deceive oneself, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. True obedience requires honesty with oneself and God. Consequences of Disobedience Understand that ignoring God's instructions can lead to negative consequences, as seen in the remnant's eventual downfall. Trust in God's Plan Trust that God's plan, even when it seems difficult or counterintuitive, is ultimately for our good and His glory. Commitment to Action Commit to acting on God's word, not just hearing it. True faith is demonstrated through obedience. Bible Study Questions 1. What motivations might have led the remnant of Judah to seek Jeremiah's counsel, and how can we ensure our motivations align with God's will when seeking guidance?2. How does the remnant's response to God's message through Jeremiah reflect our own struggles with obedience, and what steps can we take to overcome these struggles? 3. In what ways do we deceive ourselves in our spiritual walk, and how can we cultivate a heart of sincerity and truthfulness before God? 4. How does the account of the remnant's desire to flee to Egypt parallel other biblical accounts of disobedience, and what lessons can we learn from these parallels? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult decision. How did you seek God's guidance, and what was the outcome? How can this passage inform your approach to future decisions? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 43This chapter continues the account, showing the people's disobedience to God's command through Jeremiah, highlighting the consequences of not following divine guidance. Exodus 14 The Israelites' initial desire to return to Egypt when faced with challenges, paralleling the remnant's inclination to seek refuge in Egypt. James 1:22 This verse emphasizes the importance of being doers of the word, not just hearers, which relates to the remnant's failure to act on God's instructions.
People Hoshaiah, Jeremiah, Jezaniah, Johanan, KareahPlaces Babylon, Egypt, JerusalemTopics Acting, Astray, Cost, Dealt, Deceit, Deceitfully, Deceived, Declare, Dissembled, Hearts, Mistake, Perverse, Prayer, Saying, Says, Shewed, Souls, Whatever, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 42:19-21Library Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed. "Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah i. 8. The Prophets were ever ungratefully treated by the Israelites, they were resisted, their warnings neglected, their good services forgotten. But there was this difference between the earlier and the later Prophets; the earlier lived and died in honour among their people,--in outward honour; though hated and thwarted by the wicked, they were exalted to high places, and ruled in the congregation. … John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII "The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not Subject to the Law of God, Neither Indeed Can Be. So Then they that Are Jeremiah Links Jeremiah 42:20 NIVJeremiah 42:20 NLT Jeremiah 42:20 ESV Jeremiah 42:20 NASB Jeremiah 42:20 KJV Jeremiah 42:20 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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