Jeremiah 42:1-6
In a moment of fear and uncertainty, the remnant seeks God’s guidance through the prophet while professing willingness to obey His word.
1 Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, came near,
2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Please let our supplication be presented before you, and pray for us to Yahweh your God, even for all this remnant; for we are left but a few of many, as your eyes see us;
3 that Yahweh your God may show us the way in which we should walk, and the things that we should do.”
4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, “I have heard you. Behold, I will pray to Yahweh your God according to your words; and it will happen that whatever thing Yahweh answers you, I will declare it to you. I will keep nothing back from you.”
5 Then they said to Jeremiah, “May Yahweh be a true and faithful witness among us, if we don’t do according to all the word with which Yahweh your God sends you to tell us.
6 Whether it is good, or whether it is bad, we will obey the voice of Yahweh our God, to whom we send you; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of Yahweh our God.”
In a moment of fear and uncertainty, the remnant seeks God’s guidance through the prophet while professing willingness to obey His word.
To record the remnant leaders approaching Jeremiah to seek the LORD’s guidance regarding whether they should flee to Egypt or remain in Judah.
This passage introduces the consultation between the remnant and Jeremiah regarding whether they should flee to Egypt. It begins a new narrative unit centered on obedience to God’s revealed word.
After Gedaliah’s assassination and the rescue of the captives, the remnant community seeks prophetic guidance about their future.
A Word Sought but Not Submitted To
The LORD's word is not truly sought unless the heart is ready to obey it when it overturns fear-driven plans.