Jeremiah 43
-The powers that be in Judah
(Azariah, Johanan, and all the arrogant men) refused to listen to Jeremiah’s
revelation from the LORD so as to stay in the land for security and protection
from the Almighty (see Jeremiah 42). They accused the prophet of speaking a lie
about going Egypt, and they implicated Baruch for inciting Jeremiah against
them for the result of having the Chaldeans putting them to death or taking
them into exile. “So Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the
forces, and all the people, did not obey the voice of the LORD to stay in the
land of Judah (Jeremiah 43:1-4).” Instead, and against the will and prophecy of
God, they took the entire remnant who had returned from the dispersion in other
nations, including Jeremiah, who were then living in the land of Judah, and
they entered Egypt going as far in as Tahpanhes (this city was located in the
far north near the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt, Jeremiah 43:5-7). Here, the word
of the LORD came to Jeremiah telling him to take some large stones and hide
them in the mortar in the brick terrace which at the entrance of Pharaoh’s
palace there in Tahpanhes in the sight of some of the Jews. Jeremiah was told
by God to say to them, “Behold, I am going to send and get Nebuchadnezzar the
king of Babylon, My servant, and I am going to set his throne right over these
stones that I have hidden; and he will spread his canopy over them. He will
also come and strike the land of Egypt; those who are meant for death will be
given over to death, and those for captivity to captivity, and those for the
sword to the sword (Jeremiah 43:8-11).” God continues, “And I shall set fire to
the temples of the gods of Egypt (who Israel ran to for help instead of Him),
and he will burn them and take them captive. So he will wrap himself with the
land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself with his garment, and he will depart
from there safely. He (Nebuchadnezzar) will also shatter the obelisks of
Heliopolis, which is in the land of Egypt; and the temples of the gods of Egypt
he will burn with fire (Jeremiah 43:12-13).” Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt in
history during 568-567 B.C. and quickly crushed them fulfilling the prophecy.
So much for the great empire on which Judah had so adventurously placed its
hopes against the Word of the LORD. *Application* How often do we ignore the
red flags we get in discernment that is given as a warning from God for bad
tidings? Wise up and respond to the promptings the Holy Spirit is giving you
within your spirit as you pray and abide in Him for wisdom. He will lead you to
dwell securely in His care because His nature is for your good.
Verse to Memorize: Jeremiah 43:4
No comments:
Post a Comment