Jeremiah 42

 Before the remnant went to Egypt, they wanted to make sure they were doing whatever God wanted them to do, and what better person to ask than Jeremiah, the prophet who has been right all along. 

Johanan and the people asked Jeremiah to pray to his God for them and ask Him what He wanted them to do. Should they go to Egypt or stay in the land? Whether it was good to them or not, they promised to do whatever the Lord told them to do. 

Jeremiah told them he would do just as they asked and he would give it to them straight, whatever the Lord told him to tell them. 

After a short time, the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people that if they remained in the land (Jerusalem/Judah) then He would "build them up" and "not pull them down"; "He will plant them and not pluck them up." For it is His desire to bless them. He assured them not to fear the king of Babylon for the Lord their God is with them. 

However, if they disobeyed the Lord and went to Egypt, then for sure they will die by the sword, through famine and pestilence, and no one will remain or escape from the disaster that God will bring upon him.

And what do you think they did after Jeremiah gave them clear instructions from God?  

They went to Egypt. 

COMMENTARY

McGee made an important point regarding chapter 42. He said that the people knew that Jeremiah would give them a clear and concise message from God. And this is how anyone should deliver the Word of God: "with no attempt at being sophisticated or smooth words to please the people." When the Word is watered down, it is weak and caters to what people yearn to hear, not what they need to hear. 

Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:3-4: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

This is what has happened to the Word of God in many churches today. Preachers and teachers need to be like Jeremiah. Give the people the Word straight from God.

credit: Living Hope Bible Blog