Jeremiah 42 reminds me how common it is that men do not stop to ask for directions. I don’t know if there is a single cause, but at least part of the reason is, we believe we know where we are going. After getting directions from a stranger, I know I have said “he doesn’t know what he is talking about”. It is important that we get directions from someone we trust. In today’s chapter the Israeli heroes that had just saved the remnant of the Jewish people stopped to ask directions. “Then all the army officers, including Johanan… approached Jeremiah the prophet”. They asked, “Please hear our petition and pray to the Lord your God for this entire remnant… that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do”. They didn’t find a sixteen year old gas station attendant; they found the prophet is Israel! He responded, “I will certainly pray to the Lord your God as you have requested; I will tell you everything the Lord says”. Remember they were scared and in a hurry, and I’m sure just wanted confirmation that they were going the right way. They responded, we will follow “everything the Lord your God… tell us… we will obey the Lord our God”. If they were like me, they did not even turn off the car engine; they just looked at their watch and waited for a nod of approval and a point in the direction of Egypt. Are you looking for direction, or permission?
Jeremiah responded, “Ten days later”. The only thing harder than asking directions is waiting! “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel…, says: ‘If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you… Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear’”. That is not what they expected to hear. It did not feel right. Jeremiah continued with God’s answer, “for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands. I will show you compassion so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your land”. There were no missing landmarks and no confusing street names. His direction was simple. Is it time to stop and get simple directions?
Just to make sure there was no confusion, God gave even more information, “However, if you say… We will… disobey the Lord… we will go and live in Egypt… If you are determined to go… and you do go to settle there…then the sword you fear will overtake you there, and the famine you dread will follow you into Egypt, and there you will die”. Seems pretty clear doesn’t it? Jeremiah does not stop, “so will my wrath be poured out on you when you go to Egypt. You will be a curse and an object of horror… you will never see this place again”. Just in case there was any confusion, Jeremiah repeats, “Remnant of Judah, the Lord has told you, ‘Do not go to Egypt’”. It also seems that Jeremiah knows their heart. “You made a fatal mistake when you sent me to the Lord… be sure of this: You will die by the sword, famine and plague in the place where you want to go to settle”. Friend, do you seek God’s direction? Will you stop and follow it? Jesus said, “If anyone hears My words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” (John 12:47). James 1:22 adds, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says”. Do you know where you are going?