Jeremiah 42:13

But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God, BUT IF YE SAY ... Avowed rebellion against God, who had often (), as now, forbidden their going to Egypt, lest they should be entangled in its idolatry....

God having promised, that the counsel he gave to the Jews would be good and safe, now, on the other hand, threatens them, that if they disobeyed, everything they would attempt would end miserably. They had not expressly asked whether it would be for their good to go into Egypt, or whether it would be pleasing to God; but God, who penetrates into all hidden purposes, anticipated them, and declared that their going would be unhappy, if they fled into Egypt. We hence see how the Prophet, or rather God himself, who spoke by his servant, tried by all means to keep them in the way of duty. He then says, _If ye say, We shall not dwell in this land, _it shall be ill with you, he says: but before he denounced punishment, he shewed that they deserved to be destroyed, if they went to Egypt; for had the thing been in itself lawful, yet to attempt such a thing against the express will of God was, as...

7-22 If we would know the mind of the Lord in doubtful cases, we must wait as well as pray. God is ever ready to return in mercy to those he has afflicted; and he never rejects any who rely on his promises. He has declared enough to silence even the causeless fears of his people, which discourge them in the way of duty. Whatever loss or suffering we may fear from obedience, is provided against in God's word; and he will protect and deliver all who trust in him and serve him. It is folly to quit our place, especially to quit a holy land, because we meet with trouble in it. And the evils we think to escape by sin, we certainly bring upon ourselves. We may apply this to the common troubles of life; and those who think to avoid them by changing their place, will find that the grievances common to men will meet them wherever they go. Sinners who dissemble with God in solemn professions espec...

EXPOSITION Jeremiah receives a request to inquire of God concerning the proposed emigration, and a "word of the Lord" follows. JEREMIAH 42:1 JEZANIAH THE SON OF HOSHAIAH. For "Jezaniah," the Septuagint has "Azariah," the name given in the Hebrew text of Jeremiah 43:2. JEREMIAH 42:2 SAID UNTO JEROMIAH THE PROPHET. Jeremiah, we have been already told, was one of the refugees at Mizpah (Jeremiah 40:6), and consequently was forced into the train of Ishmael ...

BUT IF YE SAY, WE WILL NOT DWELL IN THIS LAND,.... Or continue any longer in it, but go into Egypt:, NEITHER OBEY THE VOICE OF THE LORD YOUR GOD; or, "so as not to hearken to" or "obey", c. u for they did not say in so many words that they would not obey the voice of the Lord; they had promised they would; but resolving, against his declared will, that they would not abide in the land, but go into Egypt, was interpretatively saying they would not obey his voice. u לבלתי שמע "ita ut non auscultetis", Piscator, Cocceius; "ut non obediatis", Pagninus, Schmidt; "ut non audiatis", so some in Vatablus....

CHAPTER 42 _ 1. Jeremiah the intercessor (Jeremiah 42:1) _ 2. The answer from Jehovah (Jeremiah 42:7) Jeremiah 42:1. The remnant, the few who were left after the terrible happenings recorded in the preceding chapter were now cast upon the Lord and besought the prophet to pray for them: “That the LORD thy God may show us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.” They believed in Jeremiah as a man of God. He promises to do so, and when the answer comes he will not keep back anything. Jeremiah 42:7. The answer came ten days later. Then the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah. If

JEREMIAH 42:1 TO JEREMIAH 43:7. THE MIGRATION INTO EGYPT. Jeremiah is asked by the leaders (Jeremiah 42:1 _mg.,_ with LXX) and the people to seek Yahweh's guidance, which they solemnly (Jeremiah 42:5 _mg._) promise to follow (Jeremiah 42:1). After ten days, the Divine revelation comes to the prophet and is communicated to the people, to the effect that they are to remain in Judah, where Yahweh promises to protect them from the Babylonians; their hope of prosperity in Egypt will be found delusive; Yahweh will treat them in Egypt as He has

See introd. summary to the section....

3. _The response of the Lord_ (Jeremiah 42:7-22) TRANSLATION (7) And it came to pass at the end of ten days that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah. (8) And he called Johanan the son of Kareah, the officers of the forces which were with him, and all the people small and great, (9) and said unto them, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to whom You sent me to present your petition before Him: (10) If you will continue to dwell in this land then I will build you UP; and not tear you down; I will plant you and not pluck you UP; for I am grieved concerning the calamity which I brought upon you. (11) Do not fear the king of Babylon whom you fear. Do not fear him (oracle of the LORD), for I am with you to deliver You and to save you from his hand. (12) I will extend mercies to you so he will show mercy to you and cause You to return unto your land. (13) But if yo

JEREMIAH'S MESSAGE FROM GOD TO JOHANAN 1. Jezaniah] the Azariah of Jeremiah 43:2 (and probably not the Jezaniah of Jeremiah 40:8). 7-22. The people are forbidden to go down to Egypt. Jeremiah had always denounced connexion with Egypt (Jeremiah 2:36; Jeremiah 37:7)....