Ezekiel 16

Ezekiel 16:1

The Return of the Refugees

Still more Judeans hear of a remnant being left in Judah by the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 40:11). These are the Judeans who have fled to Moab, Ammon, Edom, and still others. They also hear that Gedaliah has been appointed over the land. What they hear prompts them to go back to Judah as well (Jeremiah 40:12). They come from the various places to which they have been driven and come to Gedaliah. They participate in Gedaliah’s program and gather in “wine and summer fruit in great abundance”.

Ezekiel 16:2

The Return of the Refugees

Still more Judeans hear of a remnant being left in Judah by the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 40:11). These are the Judeans who have fled to Moab, Ammon, Edom, and still others. They also hear that Gedaliah has been appointed over the land. What they hear prompts them to go back to Judah as well (Jeremiah 40:12). They come from the various places to which they have been driven and come to Gedaliah. They participate in Gedaliah’s program and gather in “wine and summer fruit in great abundance”.

Ezekiel 16:3

Gedaliah Is Warned About Ishmael

Then Gedaliah is visited by Johanan and all the commanders of the forces who are in the field (Jeremiah 40:13). They come to warn Gedalia of an attempt that is being plotted on his life (Jeremiah 40:14). They know the details and inform him of them. The thing is, that Baalis, the king of the Ammonites, has sent Ishmael to kill him. Baalis had been an ally of Zedekiah in the battle against the king of Babylon. It seems that he still wants to fight against the king of Babylon. Now if Gedaliah is killed by Ishmael, Ishmael can take control and they can continue to resist the king of Babylon together.

Gedaliah, however, does not want to believe what he is told. Johanan does not give up and secretly seeks out Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:15). He proposes that he will kill Ishmael. He will do it in such a way that no one will know that he has been murdered. The murder is necessary, he argues, because if that man kills Gedaliah, all who have joined Gedaliah will also perish.

Gedaliah forbids Johanan the mission he proposes (Jeremiah 40:16). This is not because he turns the matter over to the LORD. That’s what David does when his servant proposes to kill Saul (1 Samuel 24:7; 1 Samuel 26:8-10). Here we hear nothing about the LORD. Jeremiah who is also there is not consulted by Gedaliah. Gedaliah is simply too trusting. He dismisses the threat, about which he has been informed, by stating that it are lies. He trusts his own judgment of the danger, and according to his judgment, there is no danger. That gullibility costs him his life.

Ezekiel 16:4

Gedaliah Is Warned About Ishmael

Then Gedaliah is visited by Johanan and all the commanders of the forces who are in the field (Jeremiah 40:13). They come to warn Gedalia of an attempt that is being plotted on his life (Jeremiah 40:14). They know the details and inform him of them. The thing is, that Baalis, the king of the Ammonites, has sent Ishmael to kill him. Baalis had been an ally of Zedekiah in the battle against the king of Babylon. It seems that he still wants to fight against the king of Babylon. Now if Gedaliah is killed by Ishmael, Ishmael can take control and they can continue to resist the king of Babylon together.

Gedaliah, however, does not want to believe what he is told. Johanan does not give up and secretly seeks out Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:15). He proposes that he will kill Ishmael. He will do it in such a way that no one will know that he has been murdered. The murder is necessary, he argues, because if that man kills Gedaliah, all who have joined Gedaliah will also perish.

Gedaliah forbids Johanan the mission he proposes (Jeremiah 40:16). This is not because he turns the matter over to the LORD. That’s what David does when his servant proposes to kill Saul (1 Samuel 24:7; 1 Samuel 26:8-10). Here we hear nothing about the LORD. Jeremiah who is also there is not consulted by Gedaliah. Gedaliah is simply too trusting. He dismisses the threat, about which he has been informed, by stating that it are lies. He trusts his own judgment of the danger, and according to his judgment, there is no danger. That gullibility costs him his life.

Ezekiel 16:5

Gedaliah Is Warned About Ishmael

Then Gedaliah is visited by Johanan and all the commanders of the forces who are in the field (Jeremiah 40:13). They come to warn Gedalia of an attempt that is being plotted on his life (Jeremiah 40:14). They know the details and inform him of them. The thing is, that Baalis, the king of the Ammonites, has sent Ishmael to kill him. Baalis had been an ally of Zedekiah in the battle against the king of Babylon. It seems that he still wants to fight against the king of Babylon. Now if Gedaliah is killed by Ishmael, Ishmael can take control and they can continue to resist the king of Babylon together.

Gedaliah, however, does not want to believe what he is told. Johanan does not give up and secretly seeks out Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:15). He proposes that he will kill Ishmael. He will do it in such a way that no one will know that he has been murdered. The murder is necessary, he argues, because if that man kills Gedaliah, all who have joined Gedaliah will also perish.

Gedaliah forbids Johanan the mission he proposes (Jeremiah 40:16). This is not because he turns the matter over to the LORD. That’s what David does when his servant proposes to kill Saul (1 Samuel 24:7; 1 Samuel 26:8-10). Here we hear nothing about the LORD. Jeremiah who is also there is not consulted by Gedaliah. Gedaliah is simply too trusting. He dismisses the threat, about which he has been informed, by stating that it are lies. He trusts his own judgment of the danger, and according to his judgment, there is no danger. That gullibility costs him his life.

Ezekiel 16:6

Gedaliah Is Warned About Ishmael

Then Gedaliah is visited by Johanan and all the commanders of the forces who are in the field (Jeremiah 40:13). They come to warn Gedalia of an attempt that is being plotted on his life (Jeremiah 40:14). They know the details and inform him of them. The thing is, that Baalis, the king of the Ammonites, has sent Ishmael to kill him. Baalis had been an ally of Zedekiah in the battle against the king of Babylon. It seems that he still wants to fight against the king of Babylon. Now if Gedaliah is killed by Ishmael, Ishmael can take control and they can continue to resist the king of Babylon together.

Gedaliah, however, does not want to believe what he is told. Johanan does not give up and secretly seeks out Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:15). He proposes that he will kill Ishmael. He will do it in such a way that no one will know that he has been murdered. The murder is necessary, he argues, because if that man kills Gedaliah, all who have joined Gedaliah will also perish.

Gedaliah forbids Johanan the mission he proposes (Jeremiah 40:16). This is not because he turns the matter over to the LORD. That’s what David does when his servant proposes to kill Saul (1 Samuel 24:7; 1 Samuel 26:8-10). Here we hear nothing about the LORD. Jeremiah who is also there is not consulted by Gedaliah. Gedaliah is simply too trusting. He dismisses the threat, about which he has been informed, by stating that it are lies. He trusts his own judgment of the danger, and according to his judgment, there is no danger. That gullibility costs him his life.

Ezekiel 16:8

The Murder of Gedaliah

In the seventh month, Ishmael – someone of whom we now read that he is of royal descent – comes with the chief officers and ten men to Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:1). He pretends to have peaceful intentions. Gedaliah seems to be up to no good, as he offers them a meal. During the meal – a picture of fellowship – the company, led by Ishmael, turns against Gedaliah and they kill him (Jeremiah 41:2). It is emphasized that they kill him “whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land”. Ishmael also kills all who are with Gedaliah, including some Babylonian men (Jeremiah 41:3).

In Ishmael we see the madness of power-seeking men, something we see again and again throughout human history and in the Word of God. Satan is always out to destroy the testimony of God. He succeeds here by a man bent on seizing power. The king of Babylon has allowed the poorest of the land in Israel to stay and has put Gedaliah over them. Under his leadership, they can rebuild something that can be to the glory of God, acknowledging the authority of a heathen ruler whom God has set over them because of their unfaithfulness.

Ezekiel 16:9

The Murder of Gedaliah

In the seventh month, Ishmael – someone of whom we now read that he is of royal descent – comes with the chief officers and ten men to Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:1). He pretends to have peaceful intentions. Gedaliah seems to be up to no good, as he offers them a meal. During the meal – a picture of fellowship – the company, led by Ishmael, turns against Gedaliah and they kill him (Jeremiah 41:2). It is emphasized that they kill him “whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land”. Ishmael also kills all who are with Gedaliah, including some Babylonian men (Jeremiah 41:3).

In Ishmael we see the madness of power-seeking men, something we see again and again throughout human history and in the Word of God. Satan is always out to destroy the testimony of God. He succeeds here by a man bent on seizing power. The king of Babylon has allowed the poorest of the land in Israel to stay and has put Gedaliah over them. Under his leadership, they can rebuild something that can be to the glory of God, acknowledging the authority of a heathen ruler whom God has set over them because of their unfaithfulness.

Ezekiel 16:10

The Murder of Gedaliah

In the seventh month, Ishmael – someone of whom we now read that he is of royal descent – comes with the chief officers and ten men to Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:1). He pretends to have peaceful intentions. Gedaliah seems to be up to no good, as he offers them a meal. During the meal – a picture of fellowship – the company, led by Ishmael, turns against Gedaliah and they kill him (Jeremiah 41:2). It is emphasized that they kill him “whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land”. Ishmael also kills all who are with Gedaliah, including some Babylonian men (Jeremiah 41:3).

In Ishmael we see the madness of power-seeking men, something we see again and again throughout human history and in the Word of God. Satan is always out to destroy the testimony of God. He succeeds here by a man bent on seizing power. The king of Babylon has allowed the poorest of the land in Israel to stay and has put Gedaliah over them. Under his leadership, they can rebuild something that can be to the glory of God, acknowledging the authority of a heathen ruler whom God has set over them because of their unfaithfulness.

Ezekiel 16:11

The Massacre of the Pilgrims

After two days, no one knows about the murder of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:4). But there is no rest for Ishmael. Men come from Shechem with the intention of offering grain offerings and incense in the house of the LORD (Jeremiah 41:5). These offerings are sacrifices without blood because there is no possibility of slaughtering animals (cf. Deuteronomy 12:13-14; 17-18).

The company consists of eighty men. They wear signs of mourning including the heathen sign of carving in the body. Ishmael leaves Mizpah to meet them and hypocritically joins them by weeping with them (Jeremiah 41:6). He invites them to go with him to Gedaliah. When they arrive in the city, Ishmael casts off his mask and slaughters them (Jeremiah 41:7). The bodies he casts in the cistern. However, ten of the eighty men escape death by telling Ishmael that they have hidden supplies of wheat, barley, oil and honey in the field (Jeremiah 41:8).

The cistern into which the bodies of all the slain men are thrown, including those of Gedaliah and his men, has a history (Jeremiah 41:9). It is the cistern that King Asa made as a shelter. He did this for fear of Baasha, the king of Israel, threatening him (1 Kings 15:22; 2 Chronicles 16:6). This cistern is filled by Ishmael with the fallen.

Then he carries off the remnant as captives and seeks refuge with the Ammonites (Jeremiah 41:10). He thought he could be king of Israel, but sees that he has ventured into an adventure, the consequences of which he has not foreseen. This is how many criminals act who expect a lot from their crime to improve their lives, while it only brings misery.

Ezekiel 16:12

The Massacre of the Pilgrims

After two days, no one knows about the murder of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:4). But there is no rest for Ishmael. Men come from Shechem with the intention of offering grain offerings and incense in the house of the LORD (Jeremiah 41:5). These offerings are sacrifices without blood because there is no possibility of slaughtering animals (cf. Deuteronomy 12:13-14; 17-18).

The company consists of eighty men. They wear signs of mourning including the heathen sign of carving in the body. Ishmael leaves Mizpah to meet them and hypocritically joins them by weeping with them (Jeremiah 41:6). He invites them to go with him to Gedaliah. When they arrive in the city, Ishmael casts off his mask and slaughters them (Jeremiah 41:7). The bodies he casts in the cistern. However, ten of the eighty men escape death by telling Ishmael that they have hidden supplies of wheat, barley, oil and honey in the field (Jeremiah 41:8).

The cistern into which the bodies of all the slain men are thrown, including those of Gedaliah and his men, has a history (Jeremiah 41:9). It is the cistern that King Asa made as a shelter. He did this for fear of Baasha, the king of Israel, threatening him (1 Kings 15:22; 2 Chronicles 16:6). This cistern is filled by Ishmael with the fallen.

Then he carries off the remnant as captives and seeks refuge with the Ammonites (Jeremiah 41:10). He thought he could be king of Israel, but sees that he has ventured into an adventure, the consequences of which he has not foreseen. This is how many criminals act who expect a lot from their crime to improve their lives, while it only brings misery.

Ezekiel 16:13

The Massacre of the Pilgrims

After two days, no one knows about the murder of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:4). But there is no rest for Ishmael. Men come from Shechem with the intention of offering grain offerings and incense in the house of the LORD (Jeremiah 41:5). These offerings are sacrifices without blood because there is no possibility of slaughtering animals (cf. Deuteronomy 12:13-14; 17-18).

The company consists of eighty men. They wear signs of mourning including the heathen sign of carving in the body. Ishmael leaves Mizpah to meet them and hypocritically joins them by weeping with them (Jeremiah 41:6). He invites them to go with him to Gedaliah. When they arrive in the city, Ishmael casts off his mask and slaughters them (Jeremiah 41:7). The bodies he casts in the cistern. However, ten of the eighty men escape death by telling Ishmael that they have hidden supplies of wheat, barley, oil and honey in the field (Jeremiah 41:8).

The cistern into which the bodies of all the slain men are thrown, including those of Gedaliah and his men, has a history (Jeremiah 41:9). It is the cistern that King Asa made as a shelter. He did this for fear of Baasha, the king of Israel, threatening him (1 Kings 15:22; 2 Chronicles 16:6). This cistern is filled by Ishmael with the fallen.

Then he carries off the remnant as captives and seeks refuge with the Ammonites (Jeremiah 41:10). He thought he could be king of Israel, but sees that he has ventured into an adventure, the consequences of which he has not foreseen. This is how many criminals act who expect a lot from their crime to improve their lives, while it only brings misery.

Ezekiel 16:14

The Massacre of the Pilgrims

After two days, no one knows about the murder of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:4). But there is no rest for Ishmael. Men come from Shechem with the intention of offering grain offerings and incense in the house of the LORD (Jeremiah 41:5). These offerings are sacrifices without blood because there is no possibility of slaughtering animals (cf. Deuteronomy 12:13-14; 17-18).

The company consists of eighty men. They wear signs of mourning including the heathen sign of carving in the body. Ishmael leaves Mizpah to meet them and hypocritically joins them by weeping with them (Jeremiah 41:6). He invites them to go with him to Gedaliah. When they arrive in the city, Ishmael casts off his mask and slaughters them (Jeremiah 41:7). The bodies he casts in the cistern. However, ten of the eighty men escape death by telling Ishmael that they have hidden supplies of wheat, barley, oil and honey in the field (Jeremiah 41:8).

The cistern into which the bodies of all the slain men are thrown, including those of Gedaliah and his men, has a history (Jeremiah 41:9). It is the cistern that King Asa made as a shelter. He did this for fear of Baasha, the king of Israel, threatening him (1 Kings 15:22; 2 Chronicles 16:6). This cistern is filled by Ishmael with the fallen.

Then he carries off the remnant as captives and seeks refuge with the Ammonites (Jeremiah 41:10). He thought he could be king of Israel, but sees that he has ventured into an adventure, the consequences of which he has not foreseen. This is how many criminals act who expect a lot from their crime to improve their lives, while it only brings misery.

Ezekiel 16:15

The Massacre of the Pilgrims

After two days, no one knows about the murder of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:4). But there is no rest for Ishmael. Men come from Shechem with the intention of offering grain offerings and incense in the house of the LORD (Jeremiah 41:5). These offerings are sacrifices without blood because there is no possibility of slaughtering animals (cf. Deuteronomy 12:13-14; 17-18).

The company consists of eighty men. They wear signs of mourning including the heathen sign of carving in the body. Ishmael leaves Mizpah to meet them and hypocritically joins them by weeping with them (Jeremiah 41:6). He invites them to go with him to Gedaliah. When they arrive in the city, Ishmael casts off his mask and slaughters them (Jeremiah 41:7). The bodies he casts in the cistern. However, ten of the eighty men escape death by telling Ishmael that they have hidden supplies of wheat, barley, oil and honey in the field (Jeremiah 41:8).

The cistern into which the bodies of all the slain men are thrown, including those of Gedaliah and his men, has a history (Jeremiah 41:9). It is the cistern that King Asa made as a shelter. He did this for fear of Baasha, the king of Israel, threatening him (1 Kings 15:22; 2 Chronicles 16:6). This cistern is filled by Ishmael with the fallen.

Then he carries off the remnant as captives and seeks refuge with the Ammonites (Jeremiah 41:10). He thought he could be king of Israel, but sees that he has ventured into an adventure, the consequences of which he has not foreseen. This is how many criminals act who expect a lot from their crime to improve their lives, while it only brings misery.

Ezekiel 16:16

The Massacre of the Pilgrims

After two days, no one knows about the murder of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:4). But there is no rest for Ishmael. Men come from Shechem with the intention of offering grain offerings and incense in the house of the LORD (Jeremiah 41:5). These offerings are sacrifices without blood because there is no possibility of slaughtering animals (cf. Deuteronomy 12:13-14; 17-18).

The company consists of eighty men. They wear signs of mourning including the heathen sign of carving in the body. Ishmael leaves Mizpah to meet them and hypocritically joins them by weeping with them (Jeremiah 41:6). He invites them to go with him to Gedaliah. When they arrive in the city, Ishmael casts off his mask and slaughters them (Jeremiah 41:7). The bodies he casts in the cistern. However, ten of the eighty men escape death by telling Ishmael that they have hidden supplies of wheat, barley, oil and honey in the field (Jeremiah 41:8).

The cistern into which the bodies of all the slain men are thrown, including those of Gedaliah and his men, has a history (Jeremiah 41:9). It is the cistern that King Asa made as a shelter. He did this for fear of Baasha, the king of Israel, threatening him (1 Kings 15:22; 2 Chronicles 16:6). This cistern is filled by Ishmael with the fallen.

Then he carries off the remnant as captives and seeks refuge with the Ammonites (Jeremiah 41:10). He thought he could be king of Israel, but sees that he has ventured into an adventure, the consequences of which he has not foreseen. This is how many criminals act who expect a lot from their crime to improve their lives, while it only brings misery.

Ezekiel 16:17

The Massacre of the Pilgrims

After two days, no one knows about the murder of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:4). But there is no rest for Ishmael. Men come from Shechem with the intention of offering grain offerings and incense in the house of the LORD (Jeremiah 41:5). These offerings are sacrifices without blood because there is no possibility of slaughtering animals (cf. Deuteronomy 12:13-14; 17-18).

The company consists of eighty men. They wear signs of mourning including the heathen sign of carving in the body. Ishmael leaves Mizpah to meet them and hypocritically joins them by weeping with them (Jeremiah 41:6). He invites them to go with him to Gedaliah. When they arrive in the city, Ishmael casts off his mask and slaughters them (Jeremiah 41:7). The bodies he casts in the cistern. However, ten of the eighty men escape death by telling Ishmael that they have hidden supplies of wheat, barley, oil and honey in the field (Jeremiah 41:8).

The cistern into which the bodies of all the slain men are thrown, including those of Gedaliah and his men, has a history (Jeremiah 41:9). It is the cistern that King Asa made as a shelter. He did this for fear of Baasha, the king of Israel, threatening him (1 Kings 15:22; 2 Chronicles 16:6). This cistern is filled by Ishmael with the fallen.

Then he carries off the remnant as captives and seeks refuge with the Ammonites (Jeremiah 41:10). He thought he could be king of Israel, but sees that he has ventured into an adventure, the consequences of which he has not foreseen. This is how many criminals act who expect a lot from their crime to improve their lives, while it only brings misery.

Ezekiel 16:18

The Escape of Ishmael

Johanan, who has warned Gedaliah of Ishmael’s evil intentions, hears of all the evil that Ishmael has done (Jeremiah 41:11). He realizes that Nebuchadnezzar’s anger will kindle when he hears this and he will kill all in the land. To prove himself a faithful servant of the king of Babylon, he wants to fight Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:12). He meets Ishmael at the great pool that is in Gibeon. When all the people who are with Ishmael see Johanan, they are glad (Jeremiah 41:13) and defect to him (Jeremiah 41:14). Ishmael flees with eight of the ten men who are with him and escapes (Jeremiah 41:15). It appears that two were killed.

Ezekiel 16:19

The Escape of Ishmael

Johanan, who has warned Gedaliah of Ishmael’s evil intentions, hears of all the evil that Ishmael has done (Jeremiah 41:11). He realizes that Nebuchadnezzar’s anger will kindle when he hears this and he will kill all in the land. To prove himself a faithful servant of the king of Babylon, he wants to fight Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:12). He meets Ishmael at the great pool that is in Gibeon. When all the people who are with Ishmael see Johanan, they are glad (Jeremiah 41:13) and defect to him (Jeremiah 41:14). Ishmael flees with eight of the ten men who are with him and escapes (Jeremiah 41:15). It appears that two were killed.

Ezekiel 16:20

The Escape of Ishmael

Johanan, who has warned Gedaliah of Ishmael’s evil intentions, hears of all the evil that Ishmael has done (Jeremiah 41:11). He realizes that Nebuchadnezzar’s anger will kindle when he hears this and he will kill all in the land. To prove himself a faithful servant of the king of Babylon, he wants to fight Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:12). He meets Ishmael at the great pool that is in Gibeon. When all the people who are with Ishmael see Johanan, they are glad (Jeremiah 41:13) and defect to him (Jeremiah 41:14). Ishmael flees with eight of the ten men who are with him and escapes (Jeremiah 41:15). It appears that two were killed.

Ezekiel 16:21

The Escape of Ishmael

Johanan, who has warned Gedaliah of Ishmael’s evil intentions, hears of all the evil that Ishmael has done (Jeremiah 41:11). He realizes that Nebuchadnezzar’s anger will kindle when he hears this and he will kill all in the land. To prove himself a faithful servant of the king of Babylon, he wants to fight Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:12). He meets Ishmael at the great pool that is in Gibeon. When all the people who are with Ishmael see Johanan, they are glad (Jeremiah 41:13) and defect to him (Jeremiah 41:14). Ishmael flees with eight of the ten men who are with him and escapes (Jeremiah 41:15). It appears that two were killed.

Ezekiel 16:22

The Escape of Ishmael

Johanan, who has warned Gedaliah of Ishmael’s evil intentions, hears of all the evil that Ishmael has done (Jeremiah 41:11). He realizes that Nebuchadnezzar’s anger will kindle when he hears this and he will kill all in the land. To prove himself a faithful servant of the king of Babylon, he wants to fight Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:12). He meets Ishmael at the great pool that is in Gibeon. When all the people who are with Ishmael see Johanan, they are glad (Jeremiah 41:13) and defect to him (Jeremiah 41:14). Ishmael flees with eight of the ten men who are with him and escapes (Jeremiah 41:15). It appears that two were killed.

Ezekiel 16:23

The Run Into Egypt

Starting in Jeremiah 41:16, it is about the journey to Egypt. In it we see the human considerations for running to Egypt. Everything is plausible to the human mind. However, it is not a work of faith. Faith is the great missing factor in all deliberations. The LORD is consulted, but without the willingness to do what He says, because the plans have been made and the decision has been made. The LORD only has to put His signature on it, as it were, by blessing their self-made plans.

Johanan is the deliverer of the remnant of the people who had been taken captive by Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:16). However, this does not put him out of danger. The king of Babylon will certainly hear what has happened and send a punitive expedition to Israel. Therefore, with all who are with him, he goes to Geruth Chimham, which is near Bethlehem, and from there continues on to Egypt (Jeremiah 41:17). He flees from the Chaldeans because Ishmael has killed the governor whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land (Jeremiah 41:18). Ishmael has fled and therefore Johanan can prove nothing of his intention to kill him and thereby show that the whole rebellion was not from him.

Ezekiel 16:24

The Run Into Egypt

Starting in Jeremiah 41:16, it is about the journey to Egypt. In it we see the human considerations for running to Egypt. Everything is plausible to the human mind. However, it is not a work of faith. Faith is the great missing factor in all deliberations. The LORD is consulted, but without the willingness to do what He says, because the plans have been made and the decision has been made. The LORD only has to put His signature on it, as it were, by blessing their self-made plans.

Johanan is the deliverer of the remnant of the people who had been taken captive by Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:16). However, this does not put him out of danger. The king of Babylon will certainly hear what has happened and send a punitive expedition to Israel. Therefore, with all who are with him, he goes to Geruth Chimham, which is near Bethlehem, and from there continues on to Egypt (Jeremiah 41:17). He flees from the Chaldeans because Ishmael has killed the governor whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land (Jeremiah 41:18). Ishmael has fled and therefore Johanan can prove nothing of his intention to kill him and thereby show that the whole rebellion was not from him.

Ezekiel 16:25

The Run Into Egypt

Starting in Jeremiah 41:16, it is about the journey to Egypt. In it we see the human considerations for running to Egypt. Everything is plausible to the human mind. However, it is not a work of faith. Faith is the great missing factor in all deliberations. The LORD is consulted, but without the willingness to do what He says, because the plans have been made and the decision has been made. The LORD only has to put His signature on it, as it were, by blessing their self-made plans.

Johanan is the deliverer of the remnant of the people who had been taken captive by Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:16). However, this does not put him out of danger. The king of Babylon will certainly hear what has happened and send a punitive expedition to Israel. Therefore, with all who are with him, he goes to Geruth Chimham, which is near Bethlehem, and from there continues on to Egypt (Jeremiah 41:17). He flees from the Chaldeans because Ishmael has killed the governor whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land (Jeremiah 41:18). Ishmael has fled and therefore Johanan can prove nothing of his intention to kill him and thereby show that the whole rebellion was not from him.

Ezekiel 16:27

The Remnant Seeks Counsel

Before the remnant moves on, they all, from small to great, go to Jeremiah to ask him to pray for them “to the LORD your God” (Jeremiah 42:1-2). By speaking of the LORD in this way, it seems that they themselves have no real relationship with Him. They see in Jeremiah a mediator. However, there is an unusual, rare unity among the remnant. They all, without exception, want to know what to do and where to go and want God to make it known to them (Jeremiah 42:3). This is a good thing.

We hear again from Jeremiah here. We know that he was offered riches and ease if he would go with the others to Babylon, but that he could also stay in the land. He has chosen the latter, for he wants to stay with the little remnant. He is eager to comply with their request (Jeremiah 42:4). He will ask the LORD, of Whom he says to them that He is “your God”, in accordance with their wishes and make known to them what He will answer. Jeremiah emphasizes that he will not leave out a word of the answer, but will communicate to them every word that the LORD has spoken.

Thereupon the company, appealing to the LORD “as a true and faithful witness”, declares that they will do exactly as He will answer (Jeremiah 42:5). They confirm their promise with the assurance that no matter what the answer will be, they will listen to “the voice of the LORD”, Whom they now call “our God” (Jeremiah 42:6). In doing so, they testify that listening to the voice of the LORD means to them that things will go well for them.

It is similar to swearing an oath (cf. Genesis 31:50; 1 Samuel 12:5). Here it is just like at Sinai, where God’s people also similarly affirm that they will do all that the LORD will command them (Exodus 19:8). The difference is that at Sinai the people say this while blinded by their inability to obey, whereas here the company has already decided in advance what they will do.

Ezekiel 16:28

The Remnant Seeks Counsel

Before the remnant moves on, they all, from small to great, go to Jeremiah to ask him to pray for them “to the LORD your God” (Jeremiah 42:1-2). By speaking of the LORD in this way, it seems that they themselves have no real relationship with Him. They see in Jeremiah a mediator. However, there is an unusual, rare unity among the remnant. They all, without exception, want to know what to do and where to go and want God to make it known to them (Jeremiah 42:3). This is a good thing.

We hear again from Jeremiah here. We know that he was offered riches and ease if he would go with the others to Babylon, but that he could also stay in the land. He has chosen the latter, for he wants to stay with the little remnant. He is eager to comply with their request (Jeremiah 42:4). He will ask the LORD, of Whom he says to them that He is “your God”, in accordance with their wishes and make known to them what He will answer. Jeremiah emphasizes that he will not leave out a word of the answer, but will communicate to them every word that the LORD has spoken.

Thereupon the company, appealing to the LORD “as a true and faithful witness”, declares that they will do exactly as He will answer (Jeremiah 42:5). They confirm their promise with the assurance that no matter what the answer will be, they will listen to “the voice of the LORD”, Whom they now call “our God” (Jeremiah 42:6). In doing so, they testify that listening to the voice of the LORD means to them that things will go well for them.

It is similar to swearing an oath (cf. Genesis 31:50; 1 Samuel 12:5). Here it is just like at Sinai, where God’s people also similarly affirm that they will do all that the LORD will command them (Exodus 19:8). The difference is that at Sinai the people say this while blinded by their inability to obey, whereas here the company has already decided in advance what they will do.

Ezekiel 16:29

The Remnant Seeks Counsel

Before the remnant moves on, they all, from small to great, go to Jeremiah to ask him to pray for them “to the LORD your God” (Jeremiah 42:1-2). By speaking of the LORD in this way, it seems that they themselves have no real relationship with Him. They see in Jeremiah a mediator. However, there is an unusual, rare unity among the remnant. They all, without exception, want to know what to do and where to go and want God to make it known to them (Jeremiah 42:3). This is a good thing.

We hear again from Jeremiah here. We know that he was offered riches and ease if he would go with the others to Babylon, but that he could also stay in the land. He has chosen the latter, for he wants to stay with the little remnant. He is eager to comply with their request (Jeremiah 42:4). He will ask the LORD, of Whom he says to them that He is “your God”, in accordance with their wishes and make known to them what He will answer. Jeremiah emphasizes that he will not leave out a word of the answer, but will communicate to them every word that the LORD has spoken.

Thereupon the company, appealing to the LORD “as a true and faithful witness”, declares that they will do exactly as He will answer (Jeremiah 42:5). They confirm their promise with the assurance that no matter what the answer will be, they will listen to “the voice of the LORD”, Whom they now call “our God” (Jeremiah 42:6). In doing so, they testify that listening to the voice of the LORD means to them that things will go well for them.

It is similar to swearing an oath (cf. Genesis 31:50; 1 Samuel 12:5). Here it is just like at Sinai, where God’s people also similarly affirm that they will do all that the LORD will command them (Exodus 19:8). The difference is that at Sinai the people say this while blinded by their inability to obey, whereas here the company has already decided in advance what they will do.

Ezekiel 16:30

The Remnant Seeks Counsel

Before the remnant moves on, they all, from small to great, go to Jeremiah to ask him to pray for them “to the LORD your God” (Jeremiah 42:1-2). By speaking of the LORD in this way, it seems that they themselves have no real relationship with Him. They see in Jeremiah a mediator. However, there is an unusual, rare unity among the remnant. They all, without exception, want to know what to do and where to go and want God to make it known to them (Jeremiah 42:3). This is a good thing.

We hear again from Jeremiah here. We know that he was offered riches and ease if he would go with the others to Babylon, but that he could also stay in the land. He has chosen the latter, for he wants to stay with the little remnant. He is eager to comply with their request (Jeremiah 42:4). He will ask the LORD, of Whom he says to them that He is “your God”, in accordance with their wishes and make known to them what He will answer. Jeremiah emphasizes that he will not leave out a word of the answer, but will communicate to them every word that the LORD has spoken.

Thereupon the company, appealing to the LORD “as a true and faithful witness”, declares that they will do exactly as He will answer (Jeremiah 42:5). They confirm their promise with the assurance that no matter what the answer will be, they will listen to “the voice of the LORD”, Whom they now call “our God” (Jeremiah 42:6). In doing so, they testify that listening to the voice of the LORD means to them that things will go well for them.

It is similar to swearing an oath (cf. Genesis 31:50; 1 Samuel 12:5). Here it is just like at Sinai, where God’s people also similarly affirm that they will do all that the LORD will command them (Exodus 19:8). The difference is that at Sinai the people say this while blinded by their inability to obey, whereas here the company has already decided in advance what they will do.

Ezekiel 16:31

The Remnant Seeks Counsel

Before the remnant moves on, they all, from small to great, go to Jeremiah to ask him to pray for them “to the LORD your God” (Jeremiah 42:1-2). By speaking of the LORD in this way, it seems that they themselves have no real relationship with Him. They see in Jeremiah a mediator. However, there is an unusual, rare unity among the remnant. They all, without exception, want to know what to do and where to go and want God to make it known to them (Jeremiah 42:3). This is a good thing.

We hear again from Jeremiah here. We know that he was offered riches and ease if he would go with the others to Babylon, but that he could also stay in the land. He has chosen the latter, for he wants to stay with the little remnant. He is eager to comply with their request (Jeremiah 42:4). He will ask the LORD, of Whom he says to them that He is “your God”, in accordance with their wishes and make known to them what He will answer. Jeremiah emphasizes that he will not leave out a word of the answer, but will communicate to them every word that the LORD has spoken.

Thereupon the company, appealing to the LORD “as a true and faithful witness”, declares that they will do exactly as He will answer (Jeremiah 42:5). They confirm their promise with the assurance that no matter what the answer will be, they will listen to “the voice of the LORD”, Whom they now call “our God” (Jeremiah 42:6). In doing so, they testify that listening to the voice of the LORD means to them that things will go well for them.

It is similar to swearing an oath (cf. Genesis 31:50; 1 Samuel 12:5). Here it is just like at Sinai, where God’s people also similarly affirm that they will do all that the LORD will command them (Exodus 19:8). The difference is that at Sinai the people say this while blinded by their inability to obey, whereas here the company has already decided in advance what they will do.

Ezekiel 16:32

The Remnant Seeks Counsel

Before the remnant moves on, they all, from small to great, go to Jeremiah to ask him to pray for them “to the LORD your God” (Jeremiah 42:1-2). By speaking of the LORD in this way, it seems that they themselves have no real relationship with Him. They see in Jeremiah a mediator. However, there is an unusual, rare unity among the remnant. They all, without exception, want to know what to do and where to go and want God to make it known to them (Jeremiah 42:3). This is a good thing.

We hear again from Jeremiah here. We know that he was offered riches and ease if he would go with the others to Babylon, but that he could also stay in the land. He has chosen the latter, for he wants to stay with the little remnant. He is eager to comply with their request (Jeremiah 42:4). He will ask the LORD, of Whom he says to them that He is “your God”, in accordance with their wishes and make known to them what He will answer. Jeremiah emphasizes that he will not leave out a word of the answer, but will communicate to them every word that the LORD has spoken.

Thereupon the company, appealing to the LORD “as a true and faithful witness”, declares that they will do exactly as He will answer (Jeremiah 42:5). They confirm their promise with the assurance that no matter what the answer will be, they will listen to “the voice of the LORD”, Whom they now call “our God” (Jeremiah 42:6). In doing so, they testify that listening to the voice of the LORD means to them that things will go well for them.

It is similar to swearing an oath (cf. Genesis 31:50; 1 Samuel 12:5). Here it is just like at Sinai, where God’s people also similarly affirm that they will do all that the LORD will command them (Exodus 19:8). The difference is that at Sinai the people say this while blinded by their inability to obey, whereas here the company has already decided in advance what they will do.

Ezekiel 16:33

The Answer of the LORD

Jeremiah conveyed their request to the LORD. The LORD does not answer immediately. After ten days of waiting, the answer comes (Jeremiah 42:7; cf. Daniel 10:12-13). These ten days will have been a great exercise for Jeremiah and for the remnant. For Jeremiah, it is an exercise in waiting. He will also have wondered what the answer will be, although he will probably have known from all the LORD’s previous communications what that answer will be. The remnant will also have waited in suspense. Their fear of the Babylonians is great. The only solution they see is to flee further into Egypt, to which they are headed. The ten days are a test of faith, a test to see if there is real faith.

When Jeremiah has heard the word of the LORD, he calls to him all those who have come to him seeking His counsel and for whom he has prayed (Jeremiah 42:8; Jeremiah 42:1). He introduces the LORD’s response by introducing Him as “the LORD the God of Israel” and reminding them that they have sent him to present their petition before Him (Jeremiah 42:9). He is and remains the faithful prophet who speaks what the LORD has told him.

The answer is comprehensive and not unlike what he had always said to the people during the siege of the city by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 42:10). The threat now is the same and so is the answer. If they stay in the land, they will stay alive. The LORD will even build and plant them. He knows their fear of the king of Babylon. Therefore, He assures them that they need not fear him, for He will be with them to save them and deliver them from his hand (Jeremiah 42:11). He will not only not harm them, but will even show them mercy and return them to their land (Jeremiah 42:12). This seems to indicate that although they will be taken to Babylon first, they will find mercy there. It may also be that this is already the case now, because they are on their way to Egypt.

In any case, we see here what a wonderful God we have, Who, after so much rejection on the part of His people, still commits Himself in this way to bless them. If only they would listen and believe Him. He knows their insincerity, but that does not make His promise any less true.

The LORD also warns them in case they do not listen to His voice (Jeremiah 42:13). He knows their heart and that it is possible that they will say they will go to Egypt because they think they will be safe there, will not see war or hear its threat and that there will also be food enough there (Jeremiah 42:14). If they do plan to go to Egypt, even if it is to stay there as a stranger (cf. Rth 1:1), then they, “remnant of Judah”, should listen carefully once more to “the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 42:15). He, Who is “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel”, is speaking to them. It is as if the LORD places Himself before them in all His greatness in order to give His speaking even more emphasis and to induce them to listen to Him and obey Him after all.

They will meet in Egypt precisely what they thought they were fleeing from (Jeremiah 42:16). They will not stay alive there, but die there. That will be the fate of all men who have set their sights on seeking a safe haven in Egypt and want to stay there as strangers (Jeremiah 42:17). No one will escape the calamity, because the calamity will not come from Babylon, but from the LORD Himself. They can avoid this disappointment if they listen to Him. Disappointment in expectations is the result of wrong expectations, expectations based on our own deliberations and not on what God has said.

Abraham, Isaac and Jeroboam have in common that they spent time in Egypt. It were not blessed stays. The lessons of people who have seen the world – Egypt is a picture of the world – as a solution to a problem should help us not to seek our salvation there. Stay with the Lord and He will bless us. Are we afraid of one power or another? The Lord will protect us. If we only look to the power that scares us, we are entering into another power that will truly destroy us. Running away from problems leads to even greater ones.

Ezekiel 16:34

The Answer of the LORD

Jeremiah conveyed their request to the LORD. The LORD does not answer immediately. After ten days of waiting, the answer comes (Jeremiah 42:7; cf. Daniel 10:12-13). These ten days will have been a great exercise for Jeremiah and for the remnant. For Jeremiah, it is an exercise in waiting. He will also have wondered what the answer will be, although he will probably have known from all the LORD’s previous communications what that answer will be. The remnant will also have waited in suspense. Their fear of the Babylonians is great. The only solution they see is to flee further into Egypt, to which they are headed. The ten days are a test of faith, a test to see if there is real faith.

When Jeremiah has heard the word of the LORD, he calls to him all those who have come to him seeking His counsel and for whom he has prayed (Jeremiah 42:8; Jeremiah 42:1). He introduces the LORD’s response by introducing Him as “the LORD the God of Israel” and reminding them that they have sent him to present their petition before Him (Jeremiah 42:9). He is and remains the faithful prophet who speaks what the LORD has told him.

The answer is comprehensive and not unlike what he had always said to the people during the siege of the city by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 42:10). The threat now is the same and so is the answer. If they stay in the land, they will stay alive. The LORD will even build and plant them. He knows their fear of the king of Babylon. Therefore, He assures them that they need not fear him, for He will be with them to save them and deliver them from his hand (Jeremiah 42:11). He will not only not harm them, but will even show them mercy and return them to their land (Jeremiah 42:12). This seems to indicate that although they will be taken to Babylon first, they will find mercy there. It may also be that this is already the case now, because they are on their way to Egypt.

In any case, we see here what a wonderful God we have, Who, after so much rejection on the part of His people, still commits Himself in this way to bless them. If only they would listen and believe Him. He knows their insincerity, but that does not make His promise any less true.

The LORD also warns them in case they do not listen to His voice (Jeremiah 42:13). He knows their heart and that it is possible that they will say they will go to Egypt because they think they will be safe there, will not see war or hear its threat and that there will also be food enough there (Jeremiah 42:14). If they do plan to go to Egypt, even if it is to stay there as a stranger (cf. Rth 1:1), then they, “remnant of Judah”, should listen carefully once more to “the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 42:15). He, Who is “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel”, is speaking to them. It is as if the LORD places Himself before them in all His greatness in order to give His speaking even more emphasis and to induce them to listen to Him and obey Him after all.

They will meet in Egypt precisely what they thought they were fleeing from (Jeremiah 42:16). They will not stay alive there, but die there. That will be the fate of all men who have set their sights on seeking a safe haven in Egypt and want to stay there as strangers (Jeremiah 42:17). No one will escape the calamity, because the calamity will not come from Babylon, but from the LORD Himself. They can avoid this disappointment if they listen to Him. Disappointment in expectations is the result of wrong expectations, expectations based on our own deliberations and not on what God has said.

Abraham, Isaac and Jeroboam have in common that they spent time in Egypt. It were not blessed stays. The lessons of people who have seen the world – Egypt is a picture of the world – as a solution to a problem should help us not to seek our salvation there. Stay with the Lord and He will bless us. Are we afraid of one power or another? The Lord will protect us. If we only look to the power that scares us, we are entering into another power that will truly destroy us. Running away from problems leads to even greater ones.

Ezekiel 16:35

The Answer of the LORD

Jeremiah conveyed their request to the LORD. The LORD does not answer immediately. After ten days of waiting, the answer comes (Jeremiah 42:7; cf. Daniel 10:12-13). These ten days will have been a great exercise for Jeremiah and for the remnant. For Jeremiah, it is an exercise in waiting. He will also have wondered what the answer will be, although he will probably have known from all the LORD’s previous communications what that answer will be. The remnant will also have waited in suspense. Their fear of the Babylonians is great. The only solution they see is to flee further into Egypt, to which they are headed. The ten days are a test of faith, a test to see if there is real faith.

When Jeremiah has heard the word of the LORD, he calls to him all those who have come to him seeking His counsel and for whom he has prayed (Jeremiah 42:8; Jeremiah 42:1). He introduces the LORD’s response by introducing Him as “the LORD the God of Israel” and reminding them that they have sent him to present their petition before Him (Jeremiah 42:9). He is and remains the faithful prophet who speaks what the LORD has told him.

The answer is comprehensive and not unlike what he had always said to the people during the siege of the city by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 42:10). The threat now is the same and so is the answer. If they stay in the land, they will stay alive. The LORD will even build and plant them. He knows their fear of the king of Babylon. Therefore, He assures them that they need not fear him, for He will be with them to save them and deliver them from his hand (Jeremiah 42:11). He will not only not harm them, but will even show them mercy and return them to their land (Jeremiah 42:12). This seems to indicate that although they will be taken to Babylon first, they will find mercy there. It may also be that this is already the case now, because they are on their way to Egypt.

In any case, we see here what a wonderful God we have, Who, after so much rejection on the part of His people, still commits Himself in this way to bless them. If only they would listen and believe Him. He knows their insincerity, but that does not make His promise any less true.

The LORD also warns them in case they do not listen to His voice (Jeremiah 42:13). He knows their heart and that it is possible that they will say they will go to Egypt because they think they will be safe there, will not see war or hear its threat and that there will also be food enough there (Jeremiah 42:14). If they do plan to go to Egypt, even if it is to stay there as a stranger (cf. Rth 1:1), then they, “remnant of Judah”, should listen carefully once more to “the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 42:15). He, Who is “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel”, is speaking to them. It is as if the LORD places Himself before them in all His greatness in order to give His speaking even more emphasis and to induce them to listen to Him and obey Him after all.

They will meet in Egypt precisely what they thought they were fleeing from (Jeremiah 42:16). They will not stay alive there, but die there. That will be the fate of all men who have set their sights on seeking a safe haven in Egypt and want to stay there as strangers (Jeremiah 42:17). No one will escape the calamity, because the calamity will not come from Babylon, but from the LORD Himself. They can avoid this disappointment if they listen to Him. Disappointment in expectations is the result of wrong expectations, expectations based on our own deliberations and not on what God has said.

Abraham, Isaac and Jeroboam have in common that they spent time in Egypt. It were not blessed stays. The lessons of people who have seen the world – Egypt is a picture of the world – as a solution to a problem should help us not to seek our salvation there. Stay with the Lord and He will bless us. Are we afraid of one power or another? The Lord will protect us. If we only look to the power that scares us, we are entering into another power that will truly destroy us. Running away from problems leads to even greater ones.

Ezekiel 16:36

The Answer of the LORD

Jeremiah conveyed their request to the LORD. The LORD does not answer immediately. After ten days of waiting, the answer comes (Jeremiah 42:7; cf. Daniel 10:12-13). These ten days will have been a great exercise for Jeremiah and for the remnant. For Jeremiah, it is an exercise in waiting. He will also have wondered what the answer will be, although he will probably have known from all the LORD’s previous communications what that answer will be. The remnant will also have waited in suspense. Their fear of the Babylonians is great. The only solution they see is to flee further into Egypt, to which they are headed. The ten days are a test of faith, a test to see if there is real faith.

When Jeremiah has heard the word of the LORD, he calls to him all those who have come to him seeking His counsel and for whom he has prayed (Jeremiah 42:8; Jeremiah 42:1). He introduces the LORD’s response by introducing Him as “the LORD the God of Israel” and reminding them that they have sent him to present their petition before Him (Jeremiah 42:9). He is and remains the faithful prophet who speaks what the LORD has told him.

The answer is comprehensive and not unlike what he had always said to the people during the siege of the city by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 42:10). The threat now is the same and so is the answer. If they stay in the land, they will stay alive. The LORD will even build and plant them. He knows their fear of the king of Babylon. Therefore, He assures them that they need not fear him, for He will be with them to save them and deliver them from his hand (Jeremiah 42:11). He will not only not harm them, but will even show them mercy and return them to their land (Jeremiah 42:12). This seems to indicate that although they will be taken to Babylon first, they will find mercy there. It may also be that this is already the case now, because they are on their way to Egypt.

In any case, we see here what a wonderful God we have, Who, after so much rejection on the part of His people, still commits Himself in this way to bless them. If only they would listen and believe Him. He knows their insincerity, but that does not make His promise any less true.

The LORD also warns them in case they do not listen to His voice (Jeremiah 42:13). He knows their heart and that it is possible that they will say they will go to Egypt because they think they will be safe there, will not see war or hear its threat and that there will also be food enough there (Jeremiah 42:14). If they do plan to go to Egypt, even if it is to stay there as a stranger (cf. Rth 1:1), then they, “remnant of Judah”, should listen carefully once more to “the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 42:15). He, Who is “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel”, is speaking to them. It is as if the LORD places Himself before them in all His greatness in order to give His speaking even more emphasis and to induce them to listen to Him and obey Him after all.

They will meet in Egypt precisely what they thought they were fleeing from (Jeremiah 42:16). They will not stay alive there, but die there. That will be the fate of all men who have set their sights on seeking a safe haven in Egypt and want to stay there as strangers (Jeremiah 42:17). No one will escape the calamity, because the calamity will not come from Babylon, but from the LORD Himself. They can avoid this disappointment if they listen to Him. Disappointment in expectations is the result of wrong expectations, expectations based on our own deliberations and not on what God has said.

Abraham, Isaac and Jeroboam have in common that they spent time in Egypt. It were not blessed stays. The lessons of people who have seen the world – Egypt is a picture of the world – as a solution to a problem should help us not to seek our salvation there. Stay with the Lord and He will bless us. Are we afraid of one power or another? The Lord will protect us. If we only look to the power that scares us, we are entering into another power that will truly destroy us. Running away from problems leads to even greater ones.

Ezekiel 16:37

The Answer of the LORD

Jeremiah conveyed their request to the LORD. The LORD does not answer immediately. After ten days of waiting, the answer comes (Jeremiah 42:7; cf. Daniel 10:12-13). These ten days will have been a great exercise for Jeremiah and for the remnant. For Jeremiah, it is an exercise in waiting. He will also have wondered what the answer will be, although he will probably have known from all the LORD’s previous communications what that answer will be. The remnant will also have waited in suspense. Their fear of the Babylonians is great. The only solution they see is to flee further into Egypt, to which they are headed. The ten days are a test of faith, a test to see if there is real faith.

When Jeremiah has heard the word of the LORD, he calls to him all those who have come to him seeking His counsel and for whom he has prayed (Jeremiah 42:8; Jeremiah 42:1). He introduces the LORD’s response by introducing Him as “the LORD the God of Israel” and reminding them that they have sent him to present their petition before Him (Jeremiah 42:9). He is and remains the faithful prophet who speaks what the LORD has told him.

The answer is comprehensive and not unlike what he had always said to the people during the siege of the city by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 42:10). The threat now is the same and so is the answer. If they stay in the land, they will stay alive. The LORD will even build and plant them. He knows their fear of the king of Babylon. Therefore, He assures them that they need not fear him, for He will be with them to save them and deliver them from his hand (Jeremiah 42:11). He will not only not harm them, but will even show them mercy and return them to their land (Jeremiah 42:12). This seems to indicate that although they will be taken to Babylon first, they will find mercy there. It may also be that this is already the case now, because they are on their way to Egypt.

In any case, we see here what a wonderful God we have, Who, after so much rejection on the part of His people, still commits Himself in this way to bless them. If only they would listen and believe Him. He knows their insincerity, but that does not make His promise any less true.

The LORD also warns them in case they do not listen to His voice (Jeremiah 42:13). He knows their heart and that it is possible that they will say they will go to Egypt because they think they will be safe there, will not see war or hear its threat and that there will also be food enough there (Jeremiah 42:14). If they do plan to go to Egypt, even if it is to stay there as a stranger (cf. Rth 1:1), then they, “remnant of Judah”, should listen carefully once more to “the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 42:15). He, Who is “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel”, is speaking to them. It is as if the LORD places Himself before them in all His greatness in order to give His speaking even more emphasis and to induce them to listen to Him and obey Him after all.

They will meet in Egypt precisely what they thought they were fleeing from (Jeremiah 42:16). They will not stay alive there, but die there. That will be the fate of all men who have set their sights on seeking a safe haven in Egypt and want to stay there as strangers (Jeremiah 42:17). No one will escape the calamity, because the calamity will not come from Babylon, but from the LORD Himself. They can avoid this disappointment if they listen to Him. Disappointment in expectations is the result of wrong expectations, expectations based on our own deliberations and not on what God has said.

Abraham, Isaac and Jeroboam have in common that they spent time in Egypt. It were not blessed stays. The lessons of people who have seen the world – Egypt is a picture of the world – as a solution to a problem should help us not to seek our salvation there. Stay with the Lord and He will bless us. Are we afraid of one power or another? The Lord will protect us. If we only look to the power that scares us, we are entering into another power that will truly destroy us. Running away from problems leads to even greater ones.

Ezekiel 16:38

The Answer of the LORD

Jeremiah conveyed their request to the LORD. The LORD does not answer immediately. After ten days of waiting, the answer comes (Jeremiah 42:7; cf. Daniel 10:12-13). These ten days will have been a great exercise for Jeremiah and for the remnant. For Jeremiah, it is an exercise in waiting. He will also have wondered what the answer will be, although he will probably have known from all the LORD’s previous communications what that answer will be. The remnant will also have waited in suspense. Their fear of the Babylonians is great. The only solution they see is to flee further into Egypt, to which they are headed. The ten days are a test of faith, a test to see if there is real faith.

When Jeremiah has heard the word of the LORD, he calls to him all those who have come to him seeking His counsel and for whom he has prayed (Jeremiah 42:8; Jeremiah 42:1). He introduces the LORD’s response by introducing Him as “the LORD the God of Israel” and reminding them that they have sent him to present their petition before Him (Jeremiah 42:9). He is and remains the faithful prophet who speaks what the LORD has told him.

The answer is comprehensive and not unlike what he had always said to the people during the siege of the city by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 42:10). The threat now is the same and so is the answer. If they stay in the land, they will stay alive. The LORD will even build and plant them. He knows their fear of the king of Babylon. Therefore, He assures them that they need not fear him, for He will be with them to save them and deliver them from his hand (Jeremiah 42:11). He will not only not harm them, but will even show them mercy and return them to their land (Jeremiah 42:12). This seems to indicate that although they will be taken to Babylon first, they will find mercy there. It may also be that this is already the case now, because they are on their way to Egypt.

In any case, we see here what a wonderful God we have, Who, after so much rejection on the part of His people, still commits Himself in this way to bless them. If only they would listen and believe Him. He knows their insincerity, but that does not make His promise any less true.

The LORD also warns them in case they do not listen to His voice (Jeremiah 42:13). He knows their heart and that it is possible that they will say they will go to Egypt because they think they will be safe there, will not see war or hear its threat and that there will also be food enough there (Jeremiah 42:14). If they do plan to go to Egypt, even if it is to stay there as a stranger (cf. Rth 1:1), then they, “remnant of Judah”, should listen carefully once more to “the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 42:15). He, Who is “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel”, is speaking to them. It is as if the LORD places Himself before them in all His greatness in order to give His speaking even more emphasis and to induce them to listen to Him and obey Him after all.

They will meet in Egypt precisely what they thought they were fleeing from (Jeremiah 42:16). They will not stay alive there, but die there. That will be the fate of all men who have set their sights on seeking a safe haven in Egypt and want to stay there as strangers (Jeremiah 42:17). No one will escape the calamity, because the calamity will not come from Babylon, but from the LORD Himself. They can avoid this disappointment if they listen to Him. Disappointment in expectations is the result of wrong expectations, expectations based on our own deliberations and not on what God has said.

Abraham, Isaac and Jeroboam have in common that they spent time in Egypt. It were not blessed stays. The lessons of people who have seen the world – Egypt is a picture of the world – as a solution to a problem should help us not to seek our salvation there. Stay with the Lord and He will bless us. Are we afraid of one power or another? The Lord will protect us. If we only look to the power that scares us, we are entering into another power that will truly destroy us. Running away from problems leads to even greater ones.

Ezekiel 16:39

The Answer of the LORD

Jeremiah conveyed their request to the LORD. The LORD does not answer immediately. After ten days of waiting, the answer comes (Jeremiah 42:7; cf. Daniel 10:12-13). These ten days will have been a great exercise for Jeremiah and for the remnant. For Jeremiah, it is an exercise in waiting. He will also have wondered what the answer will be, although he will probably have known from all the LORD’s previous communications what that answer will be. The remnant will also have waited in suspense. Their fear of the Babylonians is great. The only solution they see is to flee further into Egypt, to which they are headed. The ten days are a test of faith, a test to see if there is real faith.

When Jeremiah has heard the word of the LORD, he calls to him all those who have come to him seeking His counsel and for whom he has prayed (Jeremiah 42:8; Jeremiah 42:1). He introduces the LORD’s response by introducing Him as “the LORD the God of Israel” and reminding them that they have sent him to present their petition before Him (Jeremiah 42:9). He is and remains the faithful prophet who speaks what the LORD has told him.

The answer is comprehensive and not unlike what he had always said to the people during the siege of the city by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 42:10). The threat now is the same and so is the answer. If they stay in the land, they will stay alive. The LORD will even build and plant them. He knows their fear of the king of Babylon. Therefore, He assures them that they need not fear him, for He will be with them to save them and deliver them from his hand (Jeremiah 42:11). He will not only not harm them, but will even show them mercy and return them to their land (Jeremiah 42:12). This seems to indicate that although they will be taken to Babylon first, they will find mercy there. It may also be that this is already the case now, because they are on their way to Egypt.

In any case, we see here what a wonderful God we have, Who, after so much rejection on the part of His people, still commits Himself in this way to bless them. If only they would listen and believe Him. He knows their insincerity, but that does not make His promise any less true.

The LORD also warns them in case they do not listen to His voice (Jeremiah 42:13). He knows their heart and that it is possible that they will say they will go to Egypt because they think they will be safe there, will not see war or hear its threat and that there will also be food enough there (Jeremiah 42:14). If they do plan to go to Egypt, even if it is to stay there as a stranger (cf. Rth 1:1), then they, “remnant of Judah”, should listen carefully once more to “the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 42:15). He, Who is “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel”, is speaking to them. It is as if the LORD places Himself before them in all His greatness in order to give His speaking even more emphasis and to induce them to listen to Him and obey Him after all.

They will meet in Egypt precisely what they thought they were fleeing from (Jeremiah 42:16). They will not stay alive there, but die there. That will be the fate of all men who have set their sights on seeking a safe haven in Egypt and want to stay there as strangers (Jeremiah 42:17). No one will escape the calamity, because the calamity will not come from Babylon, but from the LORD Himself. They can avoid this disappointment if they listen to Him. Disappointment in expectations is the result of wrong expectations, expectations based on our own deliberations and not on what God has said.

Abraham, Isaac and Jeroboam have in common that they spent time in Egypt. It were not blessed stays. The lessons of people who have seen the world – Egypt is a picture of the world – as a solution to a problem should help us not to seek our salvation there. Stay with the Lord and He will bless us. Are we afraid of one power or another? The Lord will protect us. If we only look to the power that scares us, we are entering into another power that will truly destroy us. Running away from problems leads to even greater ones.

Ezekiel 16:40

The Answer of the LORD

Jeremiah conveyed their request to the LORD. The LORD does not answer immediately. After ten days of waiting, the answer comes (Jeremiah 42:7; cf. Daniel 10:12-13). These ten days will have been a great exercise for Jeremiah and for the remnant. For Jeremiah, it is an exercise in waiting. He will also have wondered what the answer will be, although he will probably have known from all the LORD’s previous communications what that answer will be. The remnant will also have waited in suspense. Their fear of the Babylonians is great. The only solution they see is to flee further into Egypt, to which they are headed. The ten days are a test of faith, a test to see if there is real faith.

When Jeremiah has heard the word of the LORD, he calls to him all those who have come to him seeking His counsel and for whom he has prayed (Jeremiah 42:8; Jeremiah 42:1). He introduces the LORD’s response by introducing Him as “the LORD the God of Israel” and reminding them that they have sent him to present their petition before Him (Jeremiah 42:9). He is and remains the faithful prophet who speaks what the LORD has told him.

The answer is comprehensive and not unlike what he had always said to the people during the siege of the city by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 42:10). The threat now is the same and so is the answer. If they stay in the land, they will stay alive. The LORD will even build and plant them. He knows their fear of the king of Babylon. Therefore, He assures them that they need not fear him, for He will be with them to save them and deliver them from his hand (Jeremiah 42:11). He will not only not harm them, but will even show them mercy and return them to their land (Jeremiah 42:12). This seems to indicate that although they will be taken to Babylon first, they will find mercy there. It may also be that this is already the case now, because they are on their way to Egypt.

In any case, we see here what a wonderful God we have, Who, after so much rejection on the part of His people, still commits Himself in this way to bless them. If only they would listen and believe Him. He knows their insincerity, but that does not make His promise any less true.

The LORD also warns them in case they do not listen to His voice (Jeremiah 42:13). He knows their heart and that it is possible that they will say they will go to Egypt because they think they will be safe there, will not see war or hear its threat and that there will also be food enough there (Jeremiah 42:14). If they do plan to go to Egypt, even if it is to stay there as a stranger (cf. Rth 1:1), then they, “remnant of Judah”, should listen carefully once more to “the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 42:15). He, Who is “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel”, is speaking to them. It is as if the LORD places Himself before them in all His greatness in order to give His speaking even more emphasis and to induce them to listen to Him and obey Him after all.

They will meet in Egypt precisely what they thought they were fleeing from (Jeremiah 42:16). They will not stay alive there, but die there. That will be the fate of all men who have set their sights on seeking a safe haven in Egypt and want to stay there as strangers (Jeremiah 42:17). No one will escape the calamity, because the calamity will not come from Babylon, but from the LORD Himself. They can avoid this disappointment if they listen to Him. Disappointment in expectations is the result of wrong expectations, expectations based on our own deliberations and not on what God has said.

Abraham, Isaac and Jeroboam have in common that they spent time in Egypt. It were not blessed stays. The lessons of people who have seen the world – Egypt is a picture of the world – as a solution to a problem should help us not to seek our salvation there. Stay with the Lord and He will bless us. Are we afraid of one power or another? The Lord will protect us. If we only look to the power that scares us, we are entering into another power that will truly destroy us. Running away from problems leads to even greater ones.

Ezekiel 16:41

The Answer of the LORD

Jeremiah conveyed their request to the LORD. The LORD does not answer immediately. After ten days of waiting, the answer comes (Jeremiah 42:7; cf. Daniel 10:12-13). These ten days will have been a great exercise for Jeremiah and for the remnant. For Jeremiah, it is an exercise in waiting. He will also have wondered what the answer will be, although he will probably have known from all the LORD’s previous communications what that answer will be. The remnant will also have waited in suspense. Their fear of the Babylonians is great. The only solution they see is to flee further into Egypt, to which they are headed. The ten days are a test of faith, a test to see if there is real faith.

When Jeremiah has heard the word of the LORD, he calls to him all those who have come to him seeking His counsel and for whom he has prayed (Jeremiah 42:8; Jeremiah 42:1). He introduces the LORD’s response by introducing Him as “the LORD the God of Israel” and reminding them that they have sent him to present their petition before Him (Jeremiah 42:9). He is and remains the faithful prophet who speaks what the LORD has told him.

The answer is comprehensive and not unlike what he had always said to the people during the siege of the city by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 42:10). The threat now is the same and so is the answer. If they stay in the land, they will stay alive. The LORD will even build and plant them. He knows their fear of the king of Babylon. Therefore, He assures them that they need not fear him, for He will be with them to save them and deliver them from his hand (Jeremiah 42:11). He will not only not harm them, but will even show them mercy and return them to their land (Jeremiah 42:12). This seems to indicate that although they will be taken to Babylon first, they will find mercy there. It may also be that this is already the case now, because they are on their way to Egypt.

In any case, we see here what a wonderful God we have, Who, after so much rejection on the part of His people, still commits Himself in this way to bless them. If only they would listen and believe Him. He knows their insincerity, but that does not make His promise any less true.

The LORD also warns them in case they do not listen to His voice (Jeremiah 42:13). He knows their heart and that it is possible that they will say they will go to Egypt because they think they will be safe there, will not see war or hear its threat and that there will also be food enough there (Jeremiah 42:14). If they do plan to go to Egypt, even if it is to stay there as a stranger (cf. Rth 1:1), then they, “remnant of Judah”, should listen carefully once more to “the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 42:15). He, Who is “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel”, is speaking to them. It is as if the LORD places Himself before them in all His greatness in order to give His speaking even more emphasis and to induce them to listen to Him and obey Him after all.

They will meet in Egypt precisely what they thought they were fleeing from (Jeremiah 42:16). They will not stay alive there, but die there. That will be the fate of all men who have set their sights on seeking a safe haven in Egypt and want to stay there as strangers (Jeremiah 42:17). No one will escape the calamity, because the calamity will not come from Babylon, but from the LORD Himself. They can avoid this disappointment if they listen to Him. Disappointment in expectations is the result of wrong expectations, expectations based on our own deliberations and not on what God has said.

Abraham, Isaac and Jeroboam have in common that they spent time in Egypt. It were not blessed stays. The lessons of people who have seen the world – Egypt is a picture of the world – as a solution to a problem should help us not to seek our salvation there. Stay with the Lord and He will bless us. Are we afraid of one power or another? The Lord will protect us. If we only look to the power that scares us, we are entering into another power that will truly destroy us. Running away from problems leads to even greater ones.

Ezekiel 16:42

The Answer of the LORD

Jeremiah conveyed their request to the LORD. The LORD does not answer immediately. After ten days of waiting, the answer comes (Jeremiah 42:7; cf. Daniel 10:12-13). These ten days will have been a great exercise for Jeremiah and for the remnant. For Jeremiah, it is an exercise in waiting. He will also have wondered what the answer will be, although he will probably have known from all the LORD’s previous communications what that answer will be. The remnant will also have waited in suspense. Their fear of the Babylonians is great. The only solution they see is to flee further into Egypt, to which they are headed. The ten days are a test of faith, a test to see if there is real faith.

When Jeremiah has heard the word of the LORD, he calls to him all those who have come to him seeking His counsel and for whom he has prayed (Jeremiah 42:8; Jeremiah 42:1). He introduces the LORD’s response by introducing Him as “the LORD the God of Israel” and reminding them that they have sent him to present their petition before Him (Jeremiah 42:9). He is and remains the faithful prophet who speaks what the LORD has told him.

The answer is comprehensive and not unlike what he had always said to the people during the siege of the city by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 42:10). The threat now is the same and so is the answer. If they stay in the land, they will stay alive. The LORD will even build and plant them. He knows their fear of the king of Babylon. Therefore, He assures them that they need not fear him, for He will be with them to save them and deliver them from his hand (Jeremiah 42:11). He will not only not harm them, but will even show them mercy and return them to their land (Jeremiah 42:12). This seems to indicate that although they will be taken to Babylon first, they will find mercy there. It may also be that this is already the case now, because they are on their way to Egypt.

In any case, we see here what a wonderful God we have, Who, after so much rejection on the part of His people, still commits Himself in this way to bless them. If only they would listen and believe Him. He knows their insincerity, but that does not make His promise any less true.

The LORD also warns them in case they do not listen to His voice (Jeremiah 42:13). He knows their heart and that it is possible that they will say they will go to Egypt because they think they will be safe there, will not see war or hear its threat and that there will also be food enough there (Jeremiah 42:14). If they do plan to go to Egypt, even if it is to stay there as a stranger (cf. Rth 1:1), then they, “remnant of Judah”, should listen carefully once more to “the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 42:15). He, Who is “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel”, is speaking to them. It is as if the LORD places Himself before them in all His greatness in order to give His speaking even more emphasis and to induce them to listen to Him and obey Him after all.

They will meet in Egypt precisely what they thought they were fleeing from (Jeremiah 42:16). They will not stay alive there, but die there. That will be the fate of all men who have set their sights on seeking a safe haven in Egypt and want to stay there as strangers (Jeremiah 42:17). No one will escape the calamity, because the calamity will not come from Babylon, but from the LORD Himself. They can avoid this disappointment if they listen to Him. Disappointment in expectations is the result of wrong expectations, expectations based on our own deliberations and not on what God has said.

Abraham, Isaac and Jeroboam have in common that they spent time in Egypt. It were not blessed stays. The lessons of people who have seen the world – Egypt is a picture of the world – as a solution to a problem should help us not to seek our salvation there. Stay with the Lord and He will bless us. Are we afraid of one power or another? The Lord will protect us. If we only look to the power that scares us, we are entering into another power that will truly destroy us. Running away from problems leads to even greater ones.

Ezekiel 16:43

The Answer of the LORD

Jeremiah conveyed their request to the LORD. The LORD does not answer immediately. After ten days of waiting, the answer comes (Jeremiah 42:7; cf. Daniel 10:12-13). These ten days will have been a great exercise for Jeremiah and for the remnant. For Jeremiah, it is an exercise in waiting. He will also have wondered what the answer will be, although he will probably have known from all the LORD’s previous communications what that answer will be. The remnant will also have waited in suspense. Their fear of the Babylonians is great. The only solution they see is to flee further into Egypt, to which they are headed. The ten days are a test of faith, a test to see if there is real faith.

When Jeremiah has heard the word of the LORD, he calls to him all those who have come to him seeking His counsel and for whom he has prayed (Jeremiah 42:8; Jeremiah 42:1). He introduces the LORD’s response by introducing Him as “the LORD the God of Israel” and reminding them that they have sent him to present their petition before Him (Jeremiah 42:9). He is and remains the faithful prophet who speaks what the LORD has told him.

The answer is comprehensive and not unlike what he had always said to the people during the siege of the city by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 42:10). The threat now is the same and so is the answer. If they stay in the land, they will stay alive. The LORD will even build and plant them. He knows their fear of the king of Babylon. Therefore, He assures them that they need not fear him, for He will be with them to save them and deliver them from his hand (Jeremiah 42:11). He will not only not harm them, but will even show them mercy and return them to their land (Jeremiah 42:12). This seems to indicate that although they will be taken to Babylon first, they will find mercy there. It may also be that this is already the case now, because they are on their way to Egypt.

In any case, we see here what a wonderful God we have, Who, after so much rejection on the part of His people, still commits Himself in this way to bless them. If only they would listen and believe Him. He knows their insincerity, but that does not make His promise any less true.

The LORD also warns them in case they do not listen to His voice (Jeremiah 42:13). He knows their heart and that it is possible that they will say they will go to Egypt because they think they will be safe there, will not see war or hear its threat and that there will also be food enough there (Jeremiah 42:14). If they do plan to go to Egypt, even if it is to stay there as a stranger (cf. Rth 1:1), then they, “remnant of Judah”, should listen carefully once more to “the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 42:15). He, Who is “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel”, is speaking to them. It is as if the LORD places Himself before them in all His greatness in order to give His speaking even more emphasis and to induce them to listen to Him and obey Him after all.

They will meet in Egypt precisely what they thought they were fleeing from (Jeremiah 42:16). They will not stay alive there, but die there. That will be the fate of all men who have set their sights on seeking a safe haven in Egypt and want to stay there as strangers (Jeremiah 42:17). No one will escape the calamity, because the calamity will not come from Babylon, but from the LORD Himself. They can avoid this disappointment if they listen to Him. Disappointment in expectations is the result of wrong expectations, expectations based on our own deliberations and not on what God has said.

Abraham, Isaac and Jeroboam have in common that they spent time in Egypt. It were not blessed stays. The lessons of people who have seen the world – Egypt is a picture of the world – as a solution to a problem should help us not to seek our salvation there. Stay with the Lord and He will bless us. Are we afraid of one power or another? The Lord will protect us. If we only look to the power that scares us, we are entering into another power that will truly destroy us. Running away from problems leads to even greater ones.

Ezekiel 16:44

Punishments for Staying in Egypt

After the promises and the warnings come the threats which take the form of retribution because the LORD knows the heart of the people. When they shall come into Egypt, the LORD will pour out His anger and wrath on them there, as He did upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 42:18). They will not be witnesses to Him there, but to a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation and a reproach. The Egyptians will not greet them as friends. But returning to the land of Judah will not be possible either. Egypt will become the land of their burial and not the promised land.

It is impressive how clearly God speaks and warns. They have before them the result of their previous disobedience to His clear words about the destruction of Jerusalem. They have seen with their own eyes that the LORD has fulfilled His word. Now He warns again, but again they will not listen. How stubborn is man!

Jeremiah emphasizes again what the LORD has spoken and that he, Jeremiah, has warned them not to enter Egypt (Jeremiah 42:19). He places the entire responsibility for their going into Egypt on themselves. They are acting in self-deception. After all, they sent him to the LORD to pray for them, didn’t they? Did they not say that they will do all that he will make known to them from the LORD? Well, he has made it known, but in spite of that they do not listen or do what the LORD has said (Jeremiah 42:21). Then they must now face the consequences of their self-willed choice (Jeremiah 42:22). They must know very well that they will perish in the place where they think they can escape.

Ezekiel 16:45

Punishments for Staying in Egypt

After the promises and the warnings come the threats which take the form of retribution because the LORD knows the heart of the people. When they shall come into Egypt, the LORD will pour out His anger and wrath on them there, as He did upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 42:18). They will not be witnesses to Him there, but to a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation and a reproach. The Egyptians will not greet them as friends. But returning to the land of Judah will not be possible either. Egypt will become the land of their burial and not the promised land.

It is impressive how clearly God speaks and warns. They have before them the result of their previous disobedience to His clear words about the destruction of Jerusalem. They have seen with their own eyes that the LORD has fulfilled His word. Now He warns again, but again they will not listen. How stubborn is man!

Jeremiah emphasizes again what the LORD has spoken and that he, Jeremiah, has warned them not to enter Egypt (Jeremiah 42:19). He places the entire responsibility for their going into Egypt on themselves. They are acting in self-deception. After all, they sent him to the LORD to pray for them, didn’t they? Did they not say that they will do all that he will make known to them from the LORD? Well, he has made it known, but in spite of that they do not listen or do what the LORD has said (Jeremiah 42:21). Then they must now face the consequences of their self-willed choice (Jeremiah 42:22). They must know very well that they will perish in the place where they think they can escape.

Ezekiel 16:46

Punishments for Staying in Egypt

After the promises and the warnings come the threats which take the form of retribution because the LORD knows the heart of the people. When they shall come into Egypt, the LORD will pour out His anger and wrath on them there, as He did upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 42:18). They will not be witnesses to Him there, but to a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation and a reproach. The Egyptians will not greet them as friends. But returning to the land of Judah will not be possible either. Egypt will become the land of their burial and not the promised land.

It is impressive how clearly God speaks and warns. They have before them the result of their previous disobedience to His clear words about the destruction of Jerusalem. They have seen with their own eyes that the LORD has fulfilled His word. Now He warns again, but again they will not listen. How stubborn is man!

Jeremiah emphasizes again what the LORD has spoken and that he, Jeremiah, has warned them not to enter Egypt (Jeremiah 42:19). He places the entire responsibility for their going into Egypt on themselves. They are acting in self-deception. After all, they sent him to the LORD to pray for them, didn’t they? Did they not say that they will do all that he will make known to them from the LORD? Well, he has made it known, but in spite of that they do not listen or do what the LORD has said (Jeremiah 42:21). Then they must now face the consequences of their self-willed choice (Jeremiah 42:22). They must know very well that they will perish in the place where they think they can escape.

Ezekiel 16:47

Punishments for Staying in Egypt

After the promises and the warnings come the threats which take the form of retribution because the LORD knows the heart of the people. When they shall come into Egypt, the LORD will pour out His anger and wrath on them there, as He did upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 42:18). They will not be witnesses to Him there, but to a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation and a reproach. The Egyptians will not greet them as friends. But returning to the land of Judah will not be possible either. Egypt will become the land of their burial and not the promised land.

It is impressive how clearly God speaks and warns. They have before them the result of their previous disobedience to His clear words about the destruction of Jerusalem. They have seen with their own eyes that the LORD has fulfilled His word. Now He warns again, but again they will not listen. How stubborn is man!

Jeremiah emphasizes again what the LORD has spoken and that he, Jeremiah, has warned them not to enter Egypt (Jeremiah 42:19). He places the entire responsibility for their going into Egypt on themselves. They are acting in self-deception. After all, they sent him to the LORD to pray for them, didn’t they? Did they not say that they will do all that he will make known to them from the LORD? Well, he has made it known, but in spite of that they do not listen or do what the LORD has said (Jeremiah 42:21). Then they must now face the consequences of their self-willed choice (Jeremiah 42:22). They must know very well that they will perish in the place where they think they can escape.

Ezekiel 16:48

Punishments for Staying in Egypt

After the promises and the warnings come the threats which take the form of retribution because the LORD knows the heart of the people. When they shall come into Egypt, the LORD will pour out His anger and wrath on them there, as He did upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 42:18). They will not be witnesses to Him there, but to a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation and a reproach. The Egyptians will not greet them as friends. But returning to the land of Judah will not be possible either. Egypt will become the land of their burial and not the promised land.

It is impressive how clearly God speaks and warns. They have before them the result of their previous disobedience to His clear words about the destruction of Jerusalem. They have seen with their own eyes that the LORD has fulfilled His word. Now He warns again, but again they will not listen. How stubborn is man!

Jeremiah emphasizes again what the LORD has spoken and that he, Jeremiah, has warned them not to enter Egypt (Jeremiah 42:19). He places the entire responsibility for their going into Egypt on themselves. They are acting in self-deception. After all, they sent him to the LORD to pray for them, didn’t they? Did they not say that they will do all that he will make known to them from the LORD? Well, he has made it known, but in spite of that they do not listen or do what the LORD has said (Jeremiah 42:21). Then they must now face the consequences of their self-willed choice (Jeremiah 42:22). They must know very well that they will perish in the place where they think they can escape.

Ezekiel 16:50

The Warning Despised

Jeremiah finished his message to the people (Jeremiah 43:1). He has spoken all the words of the LORD to them, words with which the LORD their God had sent him to them. Again, it says “all these words”. He did not withhold anything. Then comes the response (Jeremiah 43:2). Some leaders, collectively called “all the arrogant men”, oppose Jeremiah. Arrogance is the primal sin and is rebellion against God. It is the refusal to bow before God and His Word because one wants to be important oneself. They outright accuse Jeremiah of speaking lies, of being a liar. They flatly deny that the LORD sent him with the message that they must not enter Egypt.

According to them, Jeremiah is not passing on the words of the LORD, but those of Baruch (Jeremiah 43:3). He is behind it. He has stirred up Jeremiah to bring this message of doom. How did they get the idea! From Jeremiah we hear no rebuttal, but God’s Spirit is clear: They “did not obey the voice of the LORD to stay in the land of Judah” (Jeremiah 43:4). The leaders of the remnant continued their wayward ways (Jeremiah 43:5). All who have come to them from all the nations to stay in Judah leave again, now to go to Egypt.

Thus they lead all those left by Nebuzaradan with Gedaliah in Judah down an unholy road (Jeremiah 43:6). They drag them all along to destruction. Jeremiah and Baruch they also take with them. After so many years of prophesying and receiving hatred for it, after years of imprisonment, now he is also dragged off to Egypt. It is the tragedy of a man now grown old, appointed by the LORD to be a prophet to His people.

So they arrive in Egypt, at Tahpanhes, in disobedience to the voice of the LORD (Jeremiah 43:7). What a tragedy! The descendants of Abraham are returning to Egypt, from which they were freed so long ago. With great difficulty they escaped slavery in Egypt only to return there, some 900 years later, as a defeated and hopeless remnant.

Ezekiel 16:51

The Warning Despised

Jeremiah finished his message to the people (Jeremiah 43:1). He has spoken all the words of the LORD to them, words with which the LORD their God had sent him to them. Again, it says “all these words”. He did not withhold anything. Then comes the response (Jeremiah 43:2). Some leaders, collectively called “all the arrogant men”, oppose Jeremiah. Arrogance is the primal sin and is rebellion against God. It is the refusal to bow before God and His Word because one wants to be important oneself. They outright accuse Jeremiah of speaking lies, of being a liar. They flatly deny that the LORD sent him with the message that they must not enter Egypt.

According to them, Jeremiah is not passing on the words of the LORD, but those of Baruch (Jeremiah 43:3). He is behind it. He has stirred up Jeremiah to bring this message of doom. How did they get the idea! From Jeremiah we hear no rebuttal, but God’s Spirit is clear: They “did not obey the voice of the LORD to stay in the land of Judah” (Jeremiah 43:4). The leaders of the remnant continued their wayward ways (Jeremiah 43:5). All who have come to them from all the nations to stay in Judah leave again, now to go to Egypt.

Thus they lead all those left by Nebuzaradan with Gedaliah in Judah down an unholy road (Jeremiah 43:6). They drag them all along to destruction. Jeremiah and Baruch they also take with them. After so many years of prophesying and receiving hatred for it, after years of imprisonment, now he is also dragged off to Egypt. It is the tragedy of a man now grown old, appointed by the LORD to be a prophet to His people.

So they arrive in Egypt, at Tahpanhes, in disobedience to the voice of the LORD (Jeremiah 43:7). What a tragedy! The descendants of Abraham are returning to Egypt, from which they were freed so long ago. With great difficulty they escaped slavery in Egypt only to return there, some 900 years later, as a defeated and hopeless remnant.

Ezekiel 16:52

The Warning Despised

Jeremiah finished his message to the people (Jeremiah 43:1). He has spoken all the words of the LORD to them, words with which the LORD their God had sent him to them. Again, it says “all these words”. He did not withhold anything. Then comes the response (Jeremiah 43:2). Some leaders, collectively called “all the arrogant men”, oppose Jeremiah. Arrogance is the primal sin and is rebellion against God. It is the refusal to bow before God and His Word because one wants to be important oneself. They outright accuse Jeremiah of speaking lies, of being a liar. They flatly deny that the LORD sent him with the message that they must not enter Egypt.

According to them, Jeremiah is not passing on the words of the LORD, but those of Baruch (Jeremiah 43:3). He is behind it. He has stirred up Jeremiah to bring this message of doom. How did they get the idea! From Jeremiah we hear no rebuttal, but God’s Spirit is clear: They “did not obey the voice of the LORD to stay in the land of Judah” (Jeremiah 43:4). The leaders of the remnant continued their wayward ways (Jeremiah 43:5). All who have come to them from all the nations to stay in Judah leave again, now to go to Egypt.

Thus they lead all those left by Nebuzaradan with Gedaliah in Judah down an unholy road (Jeremiah 43:6). They drag them all along to destruction. Jeremiah and Baruch they also take with them. After so many years of prophesying and receiving hatred for it, after years of imprisonment, now he is also dragged off to Egypt. It is the tragedy of a man now grown old, appointed by the LORD to be a prophet to His people.

So they arrive in Egypt, at Tahpanhes, in disobedience to the voice of the LORD (Jeremiah 43:7). What a tragedy! The descendants of Abraham are returning to Egypt, from which they were freed so long ago. With great difficulty they escaped slavery in Egypt only to return there, some 900 years later, as a defeated and hopeless remnant.

Ezekiel 16:53

The Warning Despised

Jeremiah finished his message to the people (Jeremiah 43:1). He has spoken all the words of the LORD to them, words with which the LORD their God had sent him to them. Again, it says “all these words”. He did not withhold anything. Then comes the response (Jeremiah 43:2). Some leaders, collectively called “all the arrogant men”, oppose Jeremiah. Arrogance is the primal sin and is rebellion against God. It is the refusal to bow before God and His Word because one wants to be important oneself. They outright accuse Jeremiah of speaking lies, of being a liar. They flatly deny that the LORD sent him with the message that they must not enter Egypt.

According to them, Jeremiah is not passing on the words of the LORD, but those of Baruch (Jeremiah 43:3). He is behind it. He has stirred up Jeremiah to bring this message of doom. How did they get the idea! From Jeremiah we hear no rebuttal, but God’s Spirit is clear: They “did not obey the voice of the LORD to stay in the land of Judah” (Jeremiah 43:4). The leaders of the remnant continued their wayward ways (Jeremiah 43:5). All who have come to them from all the nations to stay in Judah leave again, now to go to Egypt.

Thus they lead all those left by Nebuzaradan with Gedaliah in Judah down an unholy road (Jeremiah 43:6). They drag them all along to destruction. Jeremiah and Baruch they also take with them. After so many years of prophesying and receiving hatred for it, after years of imprisonment, now he is also dragged off to Egypt. It is the tragedy of a man now grown old, appointed by the LORD to be a prophet to His people.

So they arrive in Egypt, at Tahpanhes, in disobedience to the voice of the LORD (Jeremiah 43:7). What a tragedy! The descendants of Abraham are returning to Egypt, from which they were freed so long ago. With great difficulty they escaped slavery in Egypt only to return there, some 900 years later, as a defeated and hopeless remnant.

Ezekiel 16:54

The Warning Despised

Jeremiah finished his message to the people (Jeremiah 43:1). He has spoken all the words of the LORD to them, words with which the LORD their God had sent him to them. Again, it says “all these words”. He did not withhold anything. Then comes the response (Jeremiah 43:2). Some leaders, collectively called “all the arrogant men”, oppose Jeremiah. Arrogance is the primal sin and is rebellion against God. It is the refusal to bow before God and His Word because one wants to be important oneself. They outright accuse Jeremiah of speaking lies, of being a liar. They flatly deny that the LORD sent him with the message that they must not enter Egypt.

According to them, Jeremiah is not passing on the words of the LORD, but those of Baruch (Jeremiah 43:3). He is behind it. He has stirred up Jeremiah to bring this message of doom. How did they get the idea! From Jeremiah we hear no rebuttal, but God’s Spirit is clear: They “did not obey the voice of the LORD to stay in the land of Judah” (Jeremiah 43:4). The leaders of the remnant continued their wayward ways (Jeremiah 43:5). All who have come to them from all the nations to stay in Judah leave again, now to go to Egypt.

Thus they lead all those left by Nebuzaradan with Gedaliah in Judah down an unholy road (Jeremiah 43:6). They drag them all along to destruction. Jeremiah and Baruch they also take with them. After so many years of prophesying and receiving hatred for it, after years of imprisonment, now he is also dragged off to Egypt. It is the tragedy of a man now grown old, appointed by the LORD to be a prophet to His people.

So they arrive in Egypt, at Tahpanhes, in disobedience to the voice of the LORD (Jeremiah 43:7). What a tragedy! The descendants of Abraham are returning to Egypt, from which they were freed so long ago. With great difficulty they escaped slavery in Egypt only to return there, some 900 years later, as a defeated and hopeless remnant.

Ezekiel 16:55

The Warning Despised

Jeremiah finished his message to the people (Jeremiah 43:1). He has spoken all the words of the LORD to them, words with which the LORD their God had sent him to them. Again, it says “all these words”. He did not withhold anything. Then comes the response (Jeremiah 43:2). Some leaders, collectively called “all the arrogant men”, oppose Jeremiah. Arrogance is the primal sin and is rebellion against God. It is the refusal to bow before God and His Word because one wants to be important oneself. They outright accuse Jeremiah of speaking lies, of being a liar. They flatly deny that the LORD sent him with the message that they must not enter Egypt.

According to them, Jeremiah is not passing on the words of the LORD, but those of Baruch (Jeremiah 43:3). He is behind it. He has stirred up Jeremiah to bring this message of doom. How did they get the idea! From Jeremiah we hear no rebuttal, but God’s Spirit is clear: They “did not obey the voice of the LORD to stay in the land of Judah” (Jeremiah 43:4). The leaders of the remnant continued their wayward ways (Jeremiah 43:5). All who have come to them from all the nations to stay in Judah leave again, now to go to Egypt.

Thus they lead all those left by Nebuzaradan with Gedaliah in Judah down an unholy road (Jeremiah 43:6). They drag them all along to destruction. Jeremiah and Baruch they also take with them. After so many years of prophesying and receiving hatred for it, after years of imprisonment, now he is also dragged off to Egypt. It is the tragedy of a man now grown old, appointed by the LORD to be a prophet to His people.

So they arrive in Egypt, at Tahpanhes, in disobedience to the voice of the LORD (Jeremiah 43:7). What a tragedy! The descendants of Abraham are returning to Egypt, from which they were freed so long ago. With great difficulty they escaped slavery in Egypt only to return there, some 900 years later, as a defeated and hopeless remnant.

Ezekiel 16:56

The Warning Despised

Jeremiah finished his message to the people (Jeremiah 43:1). He has spoken all the words of the LORD to them, words with which the LORD their God had sent him to them. Again, it says “all these words”. He did not withhold anything. Then comes the response (Jeremiah 43:2). Some leaders, collectively called “all the arrogant men”, oppose Jeremiah. Arrogance is the primal sin and is rebellion against God. It is the refusal to bow before God and His Word because one wants to be important oneself. They outright accuse Jeremiah of speaking lies, of being a liar. They flatly deny that the LORD sent him with the message that they must not enter Egypt.

According to them, Jeremiah is not passing on the words of the LORD, but those of Baruch (Jeremiah 43:3). He is behind it. He has stirred up Jeremiah to bring this message of doom. How did they get the idea! From Jeremiah we hear no rebuttal, but God’s Spirit is clear: They “did not obey the voice of the LORD to stay in the land of Judah” (Jeremiah 43:4). The leaders of the remnant continued their wayward ways (Jeremiah 43:5). All who have come to them from all the nations to stay in Judah leave again, now to go to Egypt.

Thus they lead all those left by Nebuzaradan with Gedaliah in Judah down an unholy road (Jeremiah 43:6). They drag them all along to destruction. Jeremiah and Baruch they also take with them. After so many years of prophesying and receiving hatred for it, after years of imprisonment, now he is also dragged off to Egypt. It is the tragedy of a man now grown old, appointed by the LORD to be a prophet to His people.

So they arrive in Egypt, at Tahpanhes, in disobedience to the voice of the LORD (Jeremiah 43:7). What a tragedy! The descendants of Abraham are returning to Egypt, from which they were freed so long ago. With great difficulty they escaped slavery in Egypt only to return there, some 900 years later, as a defeated and hopeless remnant.

Ezekiel 16:57

Prophecy of Jeremiah in Egypt

In Tahpanhes in Egypt, the word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 43:8). The people think that by fleeing from Judah they have put the problems behind them. But that is self-deception. They will suffer in Egypt the fate they think they have escaped. Never can anyone flee so far as to be beyond the reach of God’s arm (cf. Jona 1:1-17).

Jeremiah remains the prophet of the LORD, even in Egypt. He is instructed by the LORD to take large stones and hide them in the mortar in the brick terrace which is at the entrance to Pharaoh’s palace in Tahpanhes in the sight of some Jews (Jeremiah 43:9). It will have caused a stir, that right in front of the center of Egyptian power, Jeremiah, the ancient prophet, carries out this command. He will have received the special protection of the LORD for it, for otherwise he would have been arrested immediately.

It is a remarkable command with a symbolic meaning. It is declared by the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel (Jeremiah 43:10). The LORD will bring Nebuchadnezzar, whom He calls His servant, and he will set his throne on top of those stones and spread his canopy over them. Jeremiah has laid the foundation, as it were, for a new government that will overthrow the old one.

Nebuchadnezzar will come and conquer Egypt (Jeremiah 43:11). Their flee from the Babylonians is therefore futile, for the LORD is sending Nebuchadnezzar’s armies there. Along with this, disasters will come on the people. Through various causes of death they will die. The LORD shall by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt (Jeremiah 43:12). It is not Nebuchadnezzar who is the destroyer, but the LORD Who uses him to bring His calamity upon them.

As a result, the land of Egypt will be cleared of lice – “wrap himself with the land” can also be translated with “delouse the land”. With the ease with which a shepherd rids his cloak of lice, Nebuchadnezzar sweeps away the idols from Egypt. When Nebuchadnezzar has finished his work, he will depart from Egypt in peace. No one will stop him. All idols are nothing (Jeremiah 43:13). He shatters them and burns them with fire.

Ezekiel 16:58

Prophecy of Jeremiah in Egypt

In Tahpanhes in Egypt, the word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 43:8). The people think that by fleeing from Judah they have put the problems behind them. But that is self-deception. They will suffer in Egypt the fate they think they have escaped. Never can anyone flee so far as to be beyond the reach of God’s arm (cf. Jona 1:1-17).

Jeremiah remains the prophet of the LORD, even in Egypt. He is instructed by the LORD to take large stones and hide them in the mortar in the brick terrace which is at the entrance to Pharaoh’s palace in Tahpanhes in the sight of some Jews (Jeremiah 43:9). It will have caused a stir, that right in front of the center of Egyptian power, Jeremiah, the ancient prophet, carries out this command. He will have received the special protection of the LORD for it, for otherwise he would have been arrested immediately.

It is a remarkable command with a symbolic meaning. It is declared by the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel (Jeremiah 43:10). The LORD will bring Nebuchadnezzar, whom He calls His servant, and he will set his throne on top of those stones and spread his canopy over them. Jeremiah has laid the foundation, as it were, for a new government that will overthrow the old one.

Nebuchadnezzar will come and conquer Egypt (Jeremiah 43:11). Their flee from the Babylonians is therefore futile, for the LORD is sending Nebuchadnezzar’s armies there. Along with this, disasters will come on the people. Through various causes of death they will die. The LORD shall by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt (Jeremiah 43:12). It is not Nebuchadnezzar who is the destroyer, but the LORD Who uses him to bring His calamity upon them.

As a result, the land of Egypt will be cleared of lice – “wrap himself with the land” can also be translated with “delouse the land”. With the ease with which a shepherd rids his cloak of lice, Nebuchadnezzar sweeps away the idols from Egypt. When Nebuchadnezzar has finished his work, he will depart from Egypt in peace. No one will stop him. All idols are nothing (Jeremiah 43:13). He shatters them and burns them with fire.

Ezekiel 16:59

Prophecy of Jeremiah in Egypt

In Tahpanhes in Egypt, the word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 43:8). The people think that by fleeing from Judah they have put the problems behind them. But that is self-deception. They will suffer in Egypt the fate they think they have escaped. Never can anyone flee so far as to be beyond the reach of God’s arm (cf. Jona 1:1-17).

Jeremiah remains the prophet of the LORD, even in Egypt. He is instructed by the LORD to take large stones and hide them in the mortar in the brick terrace which is at the entrance to Pharaoh’s palace in Tahpanhes in the sight of some Jews (Jeremiah 43:9). It will have caused a stir, that right in front of the center of Egyptian power, Jeremiah, the ancient prophet, carries out this command. He will have received the special protection of the LORD for it, for otherwise he would have been arrested immediately.

It is a remarkable command with a symbolic meaning. It is declared by the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel (Jeremiah 43:10). The LORD will bring Nebuchadnezzar, whom He calls His servant, and he will set his throne on top of those stones and spread his canopy over them. Jeremiah has laid the foundation, as it were, for a new government that will overthrow the old one.

Nebuchadnezzar will come and conquer Egypt (Jeremiah 43:11). Their flee from the Babylonians is therefore futile, for the LORD is sending Nebuchadnezzar’s armies there. Along with this, disasters will come on the people. Through various causes of death they will die. The LORD shall by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt (Jeremiah 43:12). It is not Nebuchadnezzar who is the destroyer, but the LORD Who uses him to bring His calamity upon them.

As a result, the land of Egypt will be cleared of lice – “wrap himself with the land” can also be translated with “delouse the land”. With the ease with which a shepherd rids his cloak of lice, Nebuchadnezzar sweeps away the idols from Egypt. When Nebuchadnezzar has finished his work, he will depart from Egypt in peace. No one will stop him. All idols are nothing (Jeremiah 43:13). He shatters them and burns them with fire.

Ezekiel 16:60

Prophecy of Jeremiah in Egypt

In Tahpanhes in Egypt, the word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 43:8). The people think that by fleeing from Judah they have put the problems behind them. But that is self-deception. They will suffer in Egypt the fate they think they have escaped. Never can anyone flee so far as to be beyond the reach of God’s arm (cf. Jona 1:1-17).

Jeremiah remains the prophet of the LORD, even in Egypt. He is instructed by the LORD to take large stones and hide them in the mortar in the brick terrace which is at the entrance to Pharaoh’s palace in Tahpanhes in the sight of some Jews (Jeremiah 43:9). It will have caused a stir, that right in front of the center of Egyptian power, Jeremiah, the ancient prophet, carries out this command. He will have received the special protection of the LORD for it, for otherwise he would have been arrested immediately.

It is a remarkable command with a symbolic meaning. It is declared by the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel (Jeremiah 43:10). The LORD will bring Nebuchadnezzar, whom He calls His servant, and he will set his throne on top of those stones and spread his canopy over them. Jeremiah has laid the foundation, as it were, for a new government that will overthrow the old one.

Nebuchadnezzar will come and conquer Egypt (Jeremiah 43:11). Their flee from the Babylonians is therefore futile, for the LORD is sending Nebuchadnezzar’s armies there. Along with this, disasters will come on the people. Through various causes of death they will die. The LORD shall by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt (Jeremiah 43:12). It is not Nebuchadnezzar who is the destroyer, but the LORD Who uses him to bring His calamity upon them.

As a result, the land of Egypt will be cleared of lice – “wrap himself with the land” can also be translated with “delouse the land”. With the ease with which a shepherd rids his cloak of lice, Nebuchadnezzar sweeps away the idols from Egypt. When Nebuchadnezzar has finished his work, he will depart from Egypt in peace. No one will stop him. All idols are nothing (Jeremiah 43:13). He shatters them and burns them with fire.

Ezekiel 16:61

Prophecy of Jeremiah in Egypt

In Tahpanhes in Egypt, the word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 43:8). The people think that by fleeing from Judah they have put the problems behind them. But that is self-deception. They will suffer in Egypt the fate they think they have escaped. Never can anyone flee so far as to be beyond the reach of God’s arm (cf. Jona 1:1-17).

Jeremiah remains the prophet of the LORD, even in Egypt. He is instructed by the LORD to take large stones and hide them in the mortar in the brick terrace which is at the entrance to Pharaoh’s palace in Tahpanhes in the sight of some Jews (Jeremiah 43:9). It will have caused a stir, that right in front of the center of Egyptian power, Jeremiah, the ancient prophet, carries out this command. He will have received the special protection of the LORD for it, for otherwise he would have been arrested immediately.

It is a remarkable command with a symbolic meaning. It is declared by the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel (Jeremiah 43:10). The LORD will bring Nebuchadnezzar, whom He calls His servant, and he will set his throne on top of those stones and spread his canopy over them. Jeremiah has laid the foundation, as it were, for a new government that will overthrow the old one.

Nebuchadnezzar will come and conquer Egypt (Jeremiah 43:11). Their flee from the Babylonians is therefore futile, for the LORD is sending Nebuchadnezzar’s armies there. Along with this, disasters will come on the people. Through various causes of death they will die. The LORD shall by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt (Jeremiah 43:12). It is not Nebuchadnezzar who is the destroyer, but the LORD Who uses him to bring His calamity upon them.

As a result, the land of Egypt will be cleared of lice – “wrap himself with the land” can also be translated with “delouse the land”. With the ease with which a shepherd rids his cloak of lice, Nebuchadnezzar sweeps away the idols from Egypt. When Nebuchadnezzar has finished his work, he will depart from Egypt in peace. No one will stop him. All idols are nothing (Jeremiah 43:13). He shatters them and burns them with fire.

Ezekiel 16:62

Prophecy of Jeremiah in Egypt

In Tahpanhes in Egypt, the word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 43:8). The people think that by fleeing from Judah they have put the problems behind them. But that is self-deception. They will suffer in Egypt the fate they think they have escaped. Never can anyone flee so far as to be beyond the reach of God’s arm (cf. Jona 1:1-17).

Jeremiah remains the prophet of the LORD, even in Egypt. He is instructed by the LORD to take large stones and hide them in the mortar in the brick terrace which is at the entrance to Pharaoh’s palace in Tahpanhes in the sight of some Jews (Jeremiah 43:9). It will have caused a stir, that right in front of the center of Egyptian power, Jeremiah, the ancient prophet, carries out this command. He will have received the special protection of the LORD for it, for otherwise he would have been arrested immediately.

It is a remarkable command with a symbolic meaning. It is declared by the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel (Jeremiah 43:10). The LORD will bring Nebuchadnezzar, whom He calls His servant, and he will set his throne on top of those stones and spread his canopy over them. Jeremiah has laid the foundation, as it were, for a new government that will overthrow the old one.

Nebuchadnezzar will come and conquer Egypt (Jeremiah 43:11). Their flee from the Babylonians is therefore futile, for the LORD is sending Nebuchadnezzar’s armies there. Along with this, disasters will come on the people. Through various causes of death they will die. The LORD shall by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt (Jeremiah 43:12). It is not Nebuchadnezzar who is the destroyer, but the LORD Who uses him to bring His calamity upon them.

As a result, the land of Egypt will be cleared of lice – “wrap himself with the land” can also be translated with “delouse the land”. With the ease with which a shepherd rids his cloak of lice, Nebuchadnezzar sweeps away the idols from Egypt. When Nebuchadnezzar has finished his work, he will depart from Egypt in peace. No one will stop him. All idols are nothing (Jeremiah 43:13). He shatters them and burns them with fire.