In today’s reading, there is an assassination. The governor appointed by the king of Babylon over Judah has been killed. Chaos ensued, and people were killed. When it was all sorted out, notice what the people of Judah said to Jeremiah.
...pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do. (Jeremiah 42:2–3, KJV)
The people were afraid of what Babylon might do to them once they heard the news that their appointed governor was killed. They were thinking about fleeing to Egypt for protection.
Great News
Ten days later, the Lord gave His reply to Jeremiah.
‘If you will still remain in this land, then I will build you and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pluck you up. For I relent concerning the disaster that I have brought upon you. Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,’ says the Lord, ‘for I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand. And I will show you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and cause you to return to your own land.’ (Jeremiah 42:10–12, NKJV)
Jeremiah also warned them that if they went to Egypt, they would die, for God was preparing to do to Egypt what He did to Judah.
A Stunning Rebellion
So, how did the people respond to this good news?
Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other proud men said to Jeremiah, “You lie! The Lord our God hasn’t forbidden us to go to Egypt! Baruch son of Neriah has convinced you to say this, because he wants us to stay here and be killed by the Babylonians or be carried off into exile.” (Jeremiah 43:2–3, NLT)
In fact, they go so far as to tell Jeremiah they will stop listening to God’s messages because ever since they stopped worshipping their false gods, specifically the Queen of Heaven, it has been nothing but trouble for them (Jeremiah 44:16–18). This would have been a reference to Josiah’s reforms in Judah. In other words, God was out, and idolatry was back in for this remnant left in Judah. They are blaming God for their trouble, not themselves and their sin. It’s as though they missed the whole point of the exile of Judah to Babylon!
The Delusion of Sin
What an illustration of the delusion of sin resulting from the rejection of the truth and God. When one turns away from God and the truth, there is only error and delusion to take its place—the ultimate doom loop! In this state of delusion, one thinks God is the problem, not themselves or their sin. Of course, when sin is finished, it brings death (James 1:15). May we choose God, truth, and life over sin, delusion, and death!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Jeremiah 41-45.