Probably easy to find fault with Jews of Jeremiah’s day. Surely was “mixed multitude”, much same as culture in world today regardless of specific locale. Would perhaps have been some who really believed true God, sought to obey as best they could. Then those who followed other gods, some who followed no god other than self-interest. Record given in Bible focuses on details of key players, not so much on others. Much taking place to make average people uneasy, even fearful of what might happen next.
Serious situation here, death of one Nebuchadnezzar appointed as governor of Judah left defeated people with no designated leader. Bible refers to people as sheep… for good reason – Jesus spoke of people “weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” Matt 9.36 . Can also add fearful and anxious to that. Not sure who to follow, not knowing what Nebuchadnezzar would do when he found out about Gedaliah. Had heard what God said through Jeremiah, also what other neighbors / political and religious leaders said about God’s expectations. Was more than true believers could do to stay in the land w/o strong leadership – would rightly be considered a remnant of the remnant. All they could manage was to go along with majority rather than be left behind to face whatever would happen.
From our time and place only having written record to help understand their situation, think we probably do better than they did. Maybe… maybe not. Are things we can certainly avoid doing, learning from their example and with God’s help doing better.
A. validate our choice 41:16-42:6
rescue a good thing
Ammonites troubled Hebrew children for generations, beginning during time of judges – would oppress, treat captives harshly
Johanan spared sin of assassinating Ishmael but… in spite of God’s mercy Johanan determined to keep doing things own way
no idea his motivation but did acted in way that inspired some confidence – other leaders, former political figures, common folk willing to follow him
proper response to fear
good at time of FUD to seek clarification from God what to do – find out if understanding what he said before still accurate
Jeremiah showed pastor’s heart, of course I’ll pray for you – reassures them he won’t keep any secrets, fudge the truth
Zedekiah set horrible example, making big promises/vows, leaders and people followed, swearing to do whatever God said
“God told me”
rightly wonder what they were thinking, already traveled toward Egypt – seems actions put lie to promise of obedience to God
were hoping God would agree, tell them what they were doing was ok? so even if turned out badly could blame God for it
sure does seem to be lack of sincerity, honesty in both request and vow – perhaps conscience told what to do, only half listened
B. the right answer but… 42:7-22
delayed answer
would God have waited 10 days before responding to voice mail if everything all right? did he need to figure out correct answer?
no, issue not on God’s end, more likely questioners need to learn some things, use time to carefully consider what God had told them already… more than once
if people really wanted to hear from God and obey and too impatient to wait, could have asked prophet to pray again
do not be afraid
greatest most obvious problem was their fear of the one they knew was acting as God’s instrument, w/i boundaries God set
deeper problem – they lacked confidence in God and his ability/commitment to deliver from king’s power, iow lacking faith
another complication, continued rebellion / determination to do it their own way instead of trusting God they couldn’t see
disobedience will cost
warning of serious and even fatal consequences… again… if they choose disobedience – God makes clear should not trust sight
would not experience from what they feared, what had demoralized/worn them out – hardship, war would follow even to Egypt
more important… God would not protect them from harm and hardship, would not bless abundantly while disobeying him
Jeremiah calls them out for their insincerity/hypocrisy/self delusion – had no intention of obeying God unless he agreed w/them
C. fear rules 43:1-7
showed true colors
Jeremiah had torn off their mask, no point any longer in keeping up pretense – choice now of how to respond to disclosure
leaders and people alike determined to do what they thought best – all reminders, warnings, hardship, humiliation of defeat not enough to break hearts of stone
all that may influence neighbors and loved ones, requires work of God directly (not through means) to give light and life
blame game
perhaps didn’t dare to accuse God, instead blamed his mouthpiece for lying, really charged Jeremiah with being a false prophet
not satisfied with that, included Baruch in accusations also – trying to create diversion… look at Jeremiah… look at Baruch… don’t look at us who are doing wrong, sinning against God
unwilling evacuees
doesn’t say were taken by force but… would Jeremiah and Baruch have willingly gone to Egypt when God made plain not to
Jeremiah would have opportunities for pastoral ministry in Egypt esp. if others compelled to go who wanted to stay
D. the other shoe drops 43:8-13
when not if
another message with visual aids from God to his people – seems like God uses object lessons when really bad stuff will happen
no question events will take place just as God says – another opportunity for people to rethink choice, go back to Judah
false security
can readily understand why people would want to escape horrors of war, move to where will be safe from the aggressor
perhaps thought Egypt safe b/c Chaldeans retreated from Jerusalem when they thought Egyptians were coming to help
made mistake even Christians make: deciding on course of action as result of human wisdom rather than God’s direction
God rules
would God have brought Nebuchadnezzar to Egypt if Israelites hadn’t gone there? possibly, punishing them not all God had in mind, planned to accomplish
God would show superiority / rulership over his people and false gods of Egypt… once again as he had during time of Moses
Book doesn’t end with 43:6 and Jeremiah going with people into wrong self-imposed exile. Don’t know all the details, that’s ok, God apparently not upset with Jeremiah and Baruch. Continued to use Jeremiah as spokesman, Baruch as official recorder for remainder of Jeremiah’s life.
Our circumstances not nearly as dire as Jews of Jeremiah’s day. Many times when can’t see road ahead clearly, what we can see is unsettling and maybe appears wrong. Regardless of situation or time in history or place in world, right thing to do always: trust the Lord to lead us… when it makes sense, when it doesn’t. Remember Isa. 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”
Can safely rest on Jesus and be confident he will bring us safely home.
Reformanda 