Jeremiah 42
In Jeremiah 42 we find a remnant from Judah who had escaped from a murdering man-stealer named Ishmael. This remnant had returned to Judah to partake in the prosperity that was left after Nebuchadnezzar had taken most of the rich and famous and left the poor under Gedaliah. All seemed to be going well until Ishmael murdered Gedaliah and tried to take the remnant as his captives.
These captives were delivered by Johanan and the “captains of the forces” who were with him. After hiding in fear, the men came to Jeremiah the prophet seeking God’s will for them.
2 And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) 3 That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.
Jeremiah 42:2-3
The Lord, knowing their hearts, waited ten days to give Jeremiah the message that He had for them. His message was simple. “Stay in Judah and I will bless you, go to Egypt and you will be destroyed.” That seems pretty simple to obey for men who had said “The Lord be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.” (Jeremiah 42:5)
So, what happened? Jeremiah, through the inspiration and leading of God, gives us a glimpse into the hearts of this remnant. During those ten days, after boldly saying, “We will do ALL that God tells us, whether good or evil” the remnant had conspired against God’s Word. The ending of this story is quite sad.
19 The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day. 20 For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it. 21 And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you. 22 Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn.
Jeremiah 42:19-22
Ignoring God’s Instruction
What we learn from this story is God’s serious expectation that His people obey His Word. Unfortunately, many of us think that God is not really serious about what He has commanded us to do. His instruction through the Bible and the pastor’s preaching will not actually affect my life. In fact, God expects perfect obedience and submission to His will. Jesus told the disciples to teach “all things whatsoever I have commanded you” to the new disciples. Of course, He did not expect this teaching to go unheeded, but to be strictly followed and obeyed out of love for God, His Word, and those He has given to proclaim His truth.
I hope that you will not ignore God’s instructions like the remnant, but will carefully heed and follow every precept and principle just like the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:10-11
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:10-11