Jeremiah 43

Have you ever told someone the truth about them only for them to become angry toward you because they did not like what they heard? Maybe they were in some kind of performance and they wanted to know what you thought. They even told you that they wanted the truth. So you tell them and it upsets them. Do you think they really wanted the truth? Probably not.

Jeremiah was in a similar situation with the people of Judah in this chapter. In the previous chapter the people went to Jeremiah to have him talk to God about them going to Egypt for safety. So the Lord speaks to Jeremiah and tells him to tell the people not to go but to stay where they were and He would bless them. The Lord also gave a warning of destruction to those who go to Egypt. The bottom line of the message from the Lord was don’t go to Egypt.

Did they listen? Did they heed the promise of blessing or warning of destruction? Nope. They called Jeremiah a liar(v. 2). They were convinced that Jeremiah was trying to give them over to the Chaldeans. So they went ahead to Egypt and took Jeremiah along with them.

I am beginning to think that when they went to Jeremiah to speak to God, they were not really concerned about what God wanted for them. All they wanted was for God to back them up in their plan. Do you treat God like that? Do you go to Him when you have a big decision to make and ask for direction but when you don’t get the answer you want you ignore God?

So many times people will ask “should I date this guy or girl?” My first response is “is he a Christian?” When they tell me no I explain to them why they shouldn’t and why the Bible says it is wrong but instead of being obedient to the Word and God they do what they want. It is not much time after that they stop going to church as often or even at all.

When Jesus was in the garden praying before his trial and crucifixion He said “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42). He was asking God for another way for salvation BUT He wanted the will of the Father to be done. Not only did ask for the will of the Father to be done but He was obedient. Jesus went to the cross and died for our sin in obedience to the Father. He was not looking forward to being put to death and being separated from God but He did it because of love and because it was God’s will.

Jesus is out ultimate example. We strive to be more like Him. I pray that you would grow into the likeness of His character everyday through the reading of the Word and time spent in prayer!