When the Answer to Prayer is Stay

O. T. #1815  "When the Answer to Prayer is Stay"

Nov. 5, 2020

Jeremiah 43

LET IT GLOW

The reaction of the Jews was not good. Despite the counsel from God that Jeremiah gave the small remnant in Judah, which was to stay and not go to Egypt and God would take care of them, they refused to obey like they had promised. Unfortunately, a couple of leaders accused Jeremiah of lying about the will of God.They even said Baruch, Jeremiah's secretary, had influenced Jeremiah's message because he wanted the people to stay and be killed by Babylonians or be carried off into exile. (verse 3) Isn't that crazy?

The guerrilla leaders took with them all the people who had returned from other countries, including the king's daughters, and those whom Nebuzaradan had left with Gedaliah, to Egypt. The prophet Jeremiah and Baruch were included. This makes no sense to me, other than they were rebellious and afraid.

Some historical background may help us understand:

• Assyrian Empire ruled in Egypt from 671-652 B.C.
• Babylon invaded Egypt in 586 B.C.
• Babylon fell to Persia in 539 B.C.

Assyria was ruling in Egypt at that time, apparently. And God said the remnant would die in Egypt if they went. It happened as He said. We aren't sure if it was Jeremiah's physically being forced to go against his will or his sense of duty compelled him to accompany the remnant. (verses-7)

An observation I made when looking at a map, it was a long way through a wilderness and desert land for to go to Egypt. Also, it would them a while to travel there, but they stopped at Tahpanhes, which means  palace of  the Negro. This rebellious people, who feared the Babylonian army, ran to the Egyptian army for  protection. We know how that turned out for them. They needed to know that they had not outrun the reach of the God who controlled all the forces of earth.  The LORD of ARMIES and The LORD of Hosts was a favorite name Jeremiah had for his God. God was either summoning or defeating great armies.

To whom do we run for protection? When we find out God's will for us, are we willing to do it?

LET IT GROW

The Lord gave Jeremiah another message while in Tahpanhes:

• While the people of Judah were watching, Jeremiah was to take large rocks and bury them under the pavement stones at the entrance of Pharaoh's palace.
• Tell them that God was sending Neb to Egypt. He will set up his throne over those stones Jeremiah had hidden. He will spread his royal canopy over them, establishing his headquarters there.
• Neb will destroy the land of Egypt, bringing death, captivity, and was to those whom it is destined.
• Neb will set fire to the temples of Egypt's gods and carrying away the idols as plunder. Like a shepherd pick fleas from his cloak, so will Neb pick clean the land of Egypt.
• The pillars of the temple the sun god, Re, will be broken down and others burnt. Those pillars were said to be 60-100 feet high.
• Neb will leave unharmed.

So much for the great empire that Judah had place its hopes! Jeremiah served as a prophet for God some 40 years. Many of his words had come true already. His messages were rejected. He could have lived comfortably in Babylon, however, Jeremiah loved his stubborn people and chose to stay with them.

Do to stay faithful to Jesus no matter the results? 

LET IT GO

Stay when God says stay; go when God says go.

Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before Him with thanksgiving.