Jeremiah 43:4

_SO JOHANAN THE SON OF KAREAH, AND ALL THE CAPTAINS OF THE FORCES, AND ALL THE PEOPLE, OBEYED NOT THE VOICE OF THE LORD, TO DWELL IN THE LAND OF JUDAH._ No JFB commentary on this verse....

The Prophet had sufficiently shewn that John the son of Kareah and the rest had not in good faith inquired of the Prophet what the will of God was; for when they saw that God’s counsel did not harmonize with their wicked and foolish desire, they rose up against the Prophet. But he now more clearly condemns their obstinacy in not obeying God; and it is said emphatically, that they did not obey the voice of God, because they denied that God had spoken. Though then they sought to evade, Jeremiah on the other hand declares, that he was a true interpreter of God’s will, that he had announced nothing but what had come from God. He then brings them all in as guilty, the leaders and the whole people, that no man might think it strange that innocent men, willing to submit to God, were driven into Egypt. _Hence _the Prophet shews here that they were all implicated in the same sin, since the leader...

1-7 Only by pride comes contention, both with God and man. They preferred their own wisdom to the revealed will of God. Men deny the Scriptures to be the word of God, because they are resolved not to conform themselves to Scripture rules. When men will persist in sin, they charge the best actions to bad motives. These Jews deserted their own land, and threw themselves out of God's protection. It is the folly of men, that they often ruin themselves by wrong endeavours to mend their situation....

ALL THE PEOPLE - Many, nevertheless, would be unwilling agents, compelled to do what their unscrupulous leaders forced upon the community....

EXPOSITION The flight to Egypt; Jeremiah's prediction of Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Egypt. JEREMIAH 43:2 ALL THE PROUD MEN. It would seem as if the "proud men" were distinguished from others. Jeremiah had called the whole people together (Jeremiah 42:8); but a few domineering men assumed to represent the rest. JEREMIAH 43:3 BARUCH THE SON OF NERIAH SETTETH THEE ON. A singular supposition—Jeremiah leaving the initiative to his secretary! It may be conjectured that Baruch had somehow made himself specially unpopular; he may have been a more practical man (comp....

SO JOHANAN THE SON OF KAREAH, AND ALL THE CAPTAINS OF THE FORCES, AND ALL THE PEOPLE,.... The generality of them, at least, all agreed together, were of the same mind, and in the same sentiment and practice: and so OBEYED NOT THE VOICE OF THE LORD, TO DWELL IN THE LAND OF JUDAH; it was the command of the Lord they should dwell there, and not go into Egypt; but they would not believe this was the voice of the Lord, only a scheme concerted between the prophet and Baruch; or which the former was instigated to deliver as the word of the Lord by the latter, and therefore would not give heed unto it; though the truth of the matter was, it was contrary to their inclination and resolution, and therefore, though they had reason to believe it was the will of God they should abide in their own land, yet they were determined they would not, but go into Egypt, as they, did....

CHAPTER 43 _ 1. The rebellion against Jeremiah (Jeremiah 43:1) _ 2. Jeremiah's prediction about the conquest of Egypt (Jeremiah 43:8) Jeremiah 43:1. No sooner had Jeremiah finished communicating the divine answer, but the captains and the proud men denounced him. They charged him that he spoke falsely, that all he had said was at the instigation of Baruch, that both were traitors. Then the leaders did not obey the voice of the Lord to dwell in the land; they took the remnant of Judah (Jeremiah 43:5 is explained by J

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

4. _The rashness of the leaders_ (Jeremiah 43:1-7) TRANSLATION (1) And it came to pass after Jeremiah finished speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God which the LORD their God sent him, even all these words, (2) that Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men began saying unto Jeremiah, You are speaking falsehood! The LORD our God did not send you to say, Do not go to Egypt to sojourn there. (3) But Baruch the son of Neriah has set you against us in order to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans that they might slay us or take us captive to Babylon. (4) And Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the officers of the forces, and all the people would not obey the voice of the LORD to dwell in the land of Judah. (5) And Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the officers of the forces, took all the remnant of Juda

JEREMIAH'S HISTORY FROM THE FALL OF JERUSALEM TILL HE GOES DOWN TO EGYPT. SEE INTRODUCTION...