Let’s go to Egypt

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 43:1-13

 

Jeremiah 43:5-7

But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took all the remnant of Judah who had returned to live in the land of Judah from all the nations to which they had been driven— 6 the men, the women, the children, the princesses, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan; also Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah. 7 And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the Lord. And they arrived at Tahpanhes.

(ESV)

 

The people remaining in Judah had security under the leadership of Gedaliah but with his murder, found that security has gone (Jeremiah 40:9-12; 41:1-3). Those in Judah initially sought the Lord’s direction through Jeremiah and were advised not to return to Egypt (Jeremiah 42). However, simply hearing from the Lord is useless without seeking interpretation of the Word through the Holy Spirit and making application of the Word to our lives. Sadly, those in Judah failed to properly interpret the Word coming from Jeremiah and failed to make application of the Word to their lives.

 

After receiving the warning from the Lord through Jeremiah, Azariah, Johanan, and all the insolent men accuse Jeremiah of lying and not speaking the words given to him by the Lord (Jeremiah 43:1-3). Such false accusations were not surprising to Jeremiah because his entire ministry has been one of trying to convince Israel and Judah to repent and turn back to the Lord to avoid exile that was rejected (Jeremiah 6:19; 15:6). After making these false accusations, Johanan and the commanders of the forces then disobey the Word of the Lord and go to Egypt, arriving at Tahpanhes (Jeremiah 43:4-7).

 

Once the people are in Egypt, Jeremiah receives a Word from the Lord in Tahpanhes (Jeremiah 43:8). The Lord orders Jeremiah to take large stones with his hands and hide them in the mortar of the pavement in front of Pharoah’s palace in Tahpanhes in sight of the men of Judah (Jeremiah 43:9). Jeremiah then tells the men of Judah that Nebuchadnezzar, the Lord’s servant, will set his throne upon the stones he has just hidden and spread a royal canopy over them (Jeremiah 43:10). Nebuchadnezzar shall come in and strike the land of Egypt, causing those in the land to suffer pestilence, captivity, and the sword (Jeremiah 43:11). Nebuchadnezzar shall burn the temples of the gods of Egypt and clean the land of Egypt like a shepherd cleans his cloak, and then go away in peace (Jeremiah 43:12). Nebuchadnezzar shall also break the obelisks of Heliopolis along with burning the temples of the gods of Egypt (Jeremiah 43:13). The people of Judah seeking escape from Babylonian captivity will suffer captivity in Egypt but without the safety promised by God to those going to Babylon (Jeremiah 24).

 

Decisions have consequences which in this case are destruction for those choosing to go to Egypt instead of obedience to the Lord according to the Word of the Lord coming from Jeremiah. It is puzzling that these people would ask Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord on their behalf (Jeremiah 42:1-6) and then reject what they hear from the Lord (Jeremiah 43:1-2). They even went so far as to accuse Jeremiah of lying to them because he wanted them destroyed (Jeremiah 43:3). Every individual has free will with God allowing them to make decisions but along with this right to make decisions comes the consequences of these decisions. After following through on the decision to go to Egypt, the people in Judah receive a warning from the Lord through Jeremiah that tells them the king of Babylon that they are running from will conquer Egypt (Jeremiah 43:8-13). What the people of Judah feared was destruction by the king of Babylon that will come upon them in Egypt, something they could have escaped by obeying the Lord and remaining in Judah.

 

Our decisions also have consequences and why it is wise for one to seek Godly counsel before making any major decision. It is also crucial to prepare through the study of the Word of God and praying continually so we can keep our head or Godly perspective in all situations, endure hardship, and do the Lord’s work (Ephesians 6:18; 2 Timothy 4:1-8). It is also crucial to spend time regularly with other believers for this is where we will find wise counsel when we need it. The main application we must make in our lives is to lose conformity to the world’s way of thinking and allow the Word of God, time spent with God in prayer, and time with other believers to transform our thinking (Romans 12:2).

 

If you are reading this and have never made Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God Challenge and bless everyone reading this post.