Jeremiah

Jeremiah Chapter 43

• Jeremiah 43:1 And it came to pass that, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of Jehovah their God, wherewith Jehovah their God had sent him to them, even all these words,
• 2 Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: Jehovah our God hath not sent thee to say, Ye shall not go into Egypt to sojourn there;

How do you like this? Jeremiah didn't even ask them to come to ask him to inquire of the Lord but they came and when he gave them an answer they accuse him of false speaking. It is a wonder that Jeremiah didn't give up then and there. I admit, I probably would have.

• Jeremiah 43:3 But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they may put us to death, and carry us away captive to Babylon.

Fear seems to be a factor which influenced them in this case. When we fear we fail to think rationally. It is the worst time to make decisions when we are full of fear unless it is an emergency situation where we have to think fast but usually if we calm down first, we can think clearer.

• Jeremiah 43:4 So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of Jehovah, to dwell in the land of Judah.
• 5 But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all the nations whither they had been driven, to sojourn in the land of Judah;
• 6 The men, and the women, and the children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan; and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah;
• 7 And they came into the land of Egypt; for they obeyed not the voice of Jehovah: and they came unto Tahpanhes.

They did not listen to the word of Jeremiah and even took Jeremiah with them to Egypt.

• Jeremiah 43:8 Then came the word of Jehovah unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,
• 9 Take great stones in thy hand, and hide them in mortar in the brickwork, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;
• 10 And say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.
• 11 And he shall come, and shall smite the land of Egypt; such as are for death shall be given to death, and such as are for captivity to captivity, and such as are for the sword to the sword.

The Lord speaks to Jeremiah and tells him to use a demonstration with stones to show that Nebuchadnezzar will indeed come into Egypt and overtake them.

It is amazing to watch all these events in Jeremiah from the beginning when Judah had a chance to repent, then when repentance was too late and Jeremiah shows them how to escape death by surrendering to the Chaldeans. Over and over again Jeremiah's prophecies were proven true yet many still did not believe.

It has been thousands of years since Jeremiah's day and we haven't changed much. The message of repentance is still rejected today. Even in some churches, the message of repentance is ignored. Our pride is so big a factor that we do not want to admit that we do wrong. This is why it is much easier to save a little child.

A child recognizes his need for help much quicker than an adult. Have you ever seen children fight but then the next day, forget that they ever fought? If grownups get into their fight it lasts much longer. Children are more forgiving, repent easier and are more humble. It is easier to get them to believe and trust God.

Unbelief was also a factor along with the fear of the Chaldeans. We see all through the bible where unbelief is the biggest hindrance to seeing the mighty works of God. This is still true today. Had they exercised faith and trust in God, they would not have gone into Egypt. They would have enjoyed remaining in their own land being treated well by the Chaldeans.

• Jeremiah 43:12 And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captive: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.

God allows judgment upon Egypt because of their idols. One day the earth will be rid of all forms of idolatry.

• Jeremiah 43:13 He shall also break the pillars of Beth-shemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of Egypt shall he burn with fire.

Jeremiah is not a popular person once again. It looked for a while like his troubles were over when the captain of the guard of the Chaldeans set Jeremiah free. We see though that he had to face further opposition for standing firm for God's word.

This may be what a faithful person who serves the Lord suffers but how can they choose otherwise?

Here is a list of rewards for the faithful.

1. Great reward in heaven
2. Eternal life
3. Others finding the way of truth
4. Fellowship with God
5. Comfort
6. Peace
7. Joy
8. Reign with Jesus Christ in His Kingdom to come.

Narrow is this good way. Few there be that find it.

• Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.
• 14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.

We know that the narrow way is the way God made for salvation and that is faith in Jesus Christ but it also is a good illustration to remind us that the majority do not choose the narrow path whatever it means. The majority follow the ways of the flesh that ignores God. Sometimes we must listen to God instead of following a crowd.

Its not easy to stand against the majority. It takes a brave person. God will help us if we lack that strength. In the end though we not only save ourselves but all others that hear us. DC

Jeremiah 44