Back to Jeremiah in my chronological journey through the Old Testament. The third and final captivity to Babylon is over and everyone is going to have to discover a new normal.
Chapter 41
When we were here last, Jeremiah was given a choice by God via Nebuchadnezzar's men to come to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar's care or stay in Judah with the remnant poor that God was providing for. Jeremiah chose Judah and was sent to live in Mizpah with a man named Gedaliah, who was the Jewish leader assigned by Nebuchadnezzar to rule in Judah. They learn that some of the rival tribes (Ammon) want to assassinate Gedaliah but he doesn't believe it.
In this chapter, the royal family of this tribe does send men to Mizpah to slay Gedaliah along with all of the Jewish men with Gedaliah and the Babylonian men of war who were there. I
Ishmael, the assassin managed to keep this a secret. So when 80 defeated Jewish soldier showed up, humbled, to offer a grain offering to the Lord, Ishmael the assassin comes out to meet them, weeping. He calls them to come to Gedaliah. He slays all but 10 of them and dumps them in the cistern. Those 10 begged for their lives by informing him that they had provisions hidden in the field.
Then Ishmael took everyone captive who were left in Mizpah—ncluding the king's daughters and everyone Nebuchadnezzar had put under the protection of Gedaliah—and took them to Ammon.
Someone named Johanan and his commanders heard of the troubles and came to confront Ishmael. The captives went back to Mizpah; but Ishmael escaped. If I understand correctly, then all of the people who survived Ishmael next went with Johanan toward Bethlehem on their way to Egypt. (Maybe trying to leave town in case Nebuchadnezzar wanted someone to pay for all of the carnage.
I cannot think of anything very profound except that this chapter reads like an adventure miniseries on Netflix, including a lot of carnage. Also, how tragic it is for everyone involved. They just survive the Babylonians and this garbage starts happening to them.
Chapter 42
The story now reintroduces Jeremiah as the commander of these forces leading the remnant toward Egypt come to Jeremiah with a petition for him to take their cause before the Lord. They point out how small the remnant has become.
...that the Lord your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do.” Jeremiah 42:3
This seems like the right question. Jeremiah agrees to take their words to the Lord and bring back the full answer from the Lord. It's beautiful that Jeremiah doesn't say if the Lord answers, but when. He knows the Lord will hear and reply. We all need to operate in that confidence. But that confidence comes from staying close to the Lord and trusting Him in all seasons.
The people commit to Jeremiah to abide by whatever the Lord tells them to do. they concede that they might not like the answer but will do it—so that it will go well for them. This remnant may be small but they are either faithful or desperate, because they are saying the right things for once.
It took 10 days but the Lord did respond. Jeremiah called together the commanders and all of the people. The Lord's response was super simple and super clear. Basically He says, I can see that you want to go to Egypt because you think you're getting away from the king of Babylon and certain famine. However, that would be a super bad idea. The sword and famine will catch up up with you in Egypt and wipe out the entire remnant. HOWEVER, if you stay in this land, I will build you up, plant you and grow you. I will relent from this calamity that i have inflicted on you. Don't be afraid of the king of Babylon. I will have compassion on you.
Well...
Here we are again. At the crossroads of trying to escape to Egypt with our own plan for salvation from calamity or trusting in the protection, provision, and plan of the Lord our God. What's particularly frustrating this time is that these people have been protected. They have escaped battle after battle. I'm sure they are exhausted, but they have seen the lord protect them. What on earth makes them think Egypt will offer them anything?
Before hearing their answer to God's choice, Jeremiah adds a message of his own:
18 “For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘As My anger and My fury have been poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so will My fury be poured out on you when you enter Egypt. And you shall be an oath, an astonishment, a curse, and a reproach; and you shall see this place no more.’
19 “The Lord has said concerning you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt!’ Know certainly that I have admonished you this day. 20 For you were hypocrites in your hearts when you sent me to the Lord your God, saying, ‘Pray for us to the Lord our God, and according to all that the Lord your God says, so declare to us and we will do it.’ 21 And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God, or anything which He has sent you by me. 22 Now therefore, know certainly that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go to dwell.” Jeremiah 42: 18-22
He doesn't seem to have great faith that they are going to make the right choice.
So...anyway...let's go find out how committed they were to their commitment to do whatever God answered.
Chapter 43
Nope.
Not committed at all.
They arrogantly claim that Jeremiah is lying and conspiring against them in order to hand them over to the Chaldeans. They decide not to stay in the land of Judah. All of them traipsed off to Egypt—taking Jeremiah with them.
I want to scream.
How completely stupid. Shortsighted. Blind. Deaf. And Dumb.
I feel so bad for the Lord.
And trust me, I'm including myself. I can also be this blind, deaf, dumb, and stupid.
Why? Why are we so confident in our own way? They had the intelligence to seek the Lord, why mot obey to what He responded?!?!?
The Lord God of heaven and earth was not pleased with their choice.
He give Jeremiah a very specific task in response to their choice. He tells Jeremiah to hide some large stones in the terrace at the entrance to the Pharaoh's palace. The the lord explains that he is going to send for Nebuchadnezzar to come to those stone and set up a throne and canopy right there. Nebuchadnezzar is going to strike. Some will die, some will be take captive, and some will be struck by the sword—it will happen based on what the Lord meant for each person. And then Nubuchadnezzar will take what he wants and head out of Egypt—after he destroys the symbols of their gods, making ti clear that their gods were unable to protect themselves let alone the Jews who tried to extract protection from them.
God is NOT going to take it lightly when we try to take what we want from the world after asking for His guidance and then choosing another source of provision for ourselves. It's not a small thing to seek the Lord and then choose another. It's hurtful and stupid. What created thing can provide better for us than the Creator who made us? I get it. I get the impulse to run away when our heart is pounding and we are blind with panic and rage. But Peter said it best, "Who would we go to if we leave You?"