Jeremiah 42:7-12
God calls the fearful remnant to remain in Judah and trust His sovereign protection rather than seek security in Egypt.
7 After ten days, Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah.
8 Then he called Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,
9 and said to them, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your supplication before him, says:
10 ‘If you will still live in this land, then I will build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up; for I grieve over the distress that I have brought on you.
11 Don’t be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid. Don’t be afraid of him,’ says Yahweh: ‘for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
12 I will grant you mercy, that he may have mercy on you, and cause you to return to your own land.
God calls the fearful remnant to remain in Judah and trust His sovereign protection rather than seek security in Egypt.
To deliver the LORD’s response to the remnant through Jeremiah, calling them to remain in Judah and trust that God will build and protect them rather than destroy them.
This passage contains the first half of the LORD's answer to the remnant's request. It presents the promise of preservation if they remain in Judah rather than fleeing to Egypt.
Jeremiah delivers God's response to the remnant's request concerning whether they should remain in Judah or flee to Egypt.
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.