1 Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near,
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.
4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard [you]; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, [that] whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare [it] unto you; I will keep nothing back from you.
5 Then they said to Jeremiah, 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.
6 Whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.
7 And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah.
8 Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which [were] with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,
9 And said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him;
10 If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull [you] down, and I will plant you, and not pluck [you] up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.
11 Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I [am] with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
12 And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.
13 But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,
14 Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:
15 And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;
16 Then it shall come to pass, [that] the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.
17 So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.
18 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.
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.
Summary of Jeremiah Chapter 42
Jeremiah Chapter 42 recounts a pivotal moment in the aftermath of Jerusalem’s destruction. The chapter presents a dialogue between the remnant of Judah and the prophet Jeremiah, highlighting themes of obedience, faith, and the consequences of choices made in desperation.
Context of the Chapter
This chapter takes place after the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. A group of people, fearing retribution from the Babylonians, seeks guidance from Jeremiah regarding their future. They are in a state of uncertainty and desperation, which prompts them to turn to the prophet for divine counsel.
Main Characters
- Jeremiah: The prophet of God, who serves as a mediator between God and the people.
- The Remnant of Judah: A group of leaders and people from Judah, including Johanan, who seek Jeremiah’s advice.
- God: The divine authority whose will is communicated through Jeremiah.
Key Themes
- Seeking Guidance: The remnant of Judah approaches Jeremiah for direction, demonstrating their recognition of his prophetic authority.
- Obedience vs. Rebellion: The chapter contrasts the importance of following God’s guidance with the consequences of disobedience.
- Fear and Desperation: The people’s fear of the Babylonians drives their actions and decisions, highlighting human vulnerability in times of crisis.
- Divine Sovereignty: God’s control over the situation is emphasized, as Jeremiah conveys His messages to the people.
Analysis of Key Verses
In this chapter, several verses stand out for their theological and practical implications:
Verses 1-6: The Request for Guidance
Here, the leaders of the remnant come to Jeremiah, asking him to pray for them and seek God’s will. This illustrates a moment of humility and recognition of their need for divine intervention.
Verses 7-22: The Response from God
Jeremiah receives a word from God, instructing the people to stay in the land of Judah. He warns them against fleeing to Egypt, which represents a lack of faith and trust in God’s plan. This section emphasizes:
- The promise of safety if they remain obedient.
- The dire consequences of disobedience, including destruction and death.
Verses 19-22: The Warning Ignored
Despite the clear message from God, the remnant chooses to ignore Jeremiah’s warning. This decision showcases the struggle between faith and fear, ultimately leading to their downfall.
Conclusion
Jeremiah Chapter 42 serves as a stark reminder of the importance of seeking and adhering to divine guidance, especially in times of crisis. The chapter illustrates the tension between human fear and the call to trust in God’s sovereignty. The consequences faced by the remnant of Judah underscore the significance of obedience and the dangers of turning away from God’s instructions.
