Jeremiah #58: Down into Egypt Jeremiah 43:1-13
In the ongoing saga of the activities of the tiny remnant left in Judah we come in this chapter to a crucial point. The murder of Gedaliah and the ramifications of that event has brought a crisis in which the remnant fear staying in Judah because of the likely consequences from the Babylonians. Jeremiah has been commissioned to discover the will of God but it was not a genuine inquiry, 42:20.
Nevertheless he speaks God’s truth as is emphasized in v1. He made an end of his message and spoke all the words that the Lord had given him.
And now, the moment for response has arrived. The words of v1 also remind us that they were answerable to God—their God. Whether they recognized Him or not, they were accountable to Him for what they were about to do with His word.
I THE RESPONSE TO JEREMIAH’S MESSAGE.
Cp v1-7
- Dismissed as a fabrication, v2-3. The prophet is called a liar! The message is refused as the concoction of Baruch though no motivation for him doing so is suggested.
- Arrogance. The underlying reason for their response was pride. Pride is the real reason why men refuse to submit to the direction given by the word of God.
- Harmful, v3. They impugn the motives of Jeremiah and accuse him of working for their harm.
- They did not obey, v4-7. Under the leadership of Johanan they all head off to Egypt. They had reason to be grateful to this man in the past but not for this action! The cause of God has often seen men come along who help in a certain way but are ultimately proved to be the cause of much harm. Jeremiah is forced along. Often God’s servants have no choice but live with the decisions made by the society they are part of.
II GOD SPEAKS AGAIN.
Cp v8-13.
- The prophet is still in touch with God. He has been forced to go to Egypt but still has a word from God. He has not lost fellowship with God even though his community has gone into deeper rebellion against God. It is important to maintain this fellowship by speaking against the sin of the people and so maintaining loyalty to God.
- They must know what lies in store for Egypt. Though the future of Egypt is the theme of this message it is vital that the men of Judah understand this issue. Having allied themselves with and sought the protection of Egypt, they now had a vested interest in what God says of that land. They had in fact embraced the judgement of God on that land by the hand of the Chaldeans. God’s people should know what God’s purpose is for the society they are part of. For this reason a study of the prophetic Scriptures is necessary!
- Dramatic. The prophet buries great stones in the clay used to make bricks which are then fired in the kiln for use. Choosing such a theatre for his dramatic message indicates that what he has to say will impact plans for future development. The reference to Pharaoh’s house may indicate that there were plans to develop that structure which would be impacted. God was putting ‘a spanner in the works’.
- Nebuchadnezzar would invade and plunder Egypt. Nothing could hinder him.