Calendar Date: August 26
Day of the Year: 238
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Jeremiah 43-44
Wrong Choices Can Hurt
In our American society, we are bombarded with choices—choices of clothing, food, entertainment, opportunities, and a myriad of other things. Most decisions don’t hurt us, but some do.
Each of us has a crucial decision to make in our lives: will we follow the LORD or walk in our ways?
The remnants of Judah also had a choice to make: should they stay or flee Jerusalem? Why was this a hard decision?
After Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah to be governor in the land of Judah. He was chosen to rule the small vassal nation. This brought peace to the country.
The remnants of Judah, including the army, fled when Babylon attacked Jerusalem. Now, with the new governor, they gained confidence to return. Gedaliah pardoned the soldiers for their offenses, realizing they were only following the orders of their deposed king, Zedekiah.
Some refugees fled to friendly nations. Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, who was of royal blood, was one of them. He and ten other men staged a coup against Gedaliah to get their country back. They ate a meal with him in Mizpah of Judah (the new capital of Judah after Jerusalem was destroyed). There they assassinated him, killed his soldiers, and kidnapped the people of Mizpah.
When the rest of the Jewish army in that city found out about their betrayal, they formed a posse and chased Ishmael. They recovered all the residents of Mizpah and killed two of Ishmael’s men, before Ishmael and the rest of his band escaped.
Fearing Babylon’s revenge because Jews killed Gedaliah, their appointed governor, the Jewish army flee to Egypt. To confirm the wisdom of their plans and get God’s blessing, they asked Jeremiah to talk to the LORD about it.
In today’s Bible reading, we see their reaction to God’s message. The answer isn’t what they expect or want. The LORD tells them to stay in the land, and he’ll protect them. Egypt isn’t a place of safety—although she’s strong, Babylon will soon come and destroy her.
The leaders of Judah call Jeremiah a liar. In disobedience to the LORD’s command, they continue on with their plan and even take Jeremiah with them. Perhaps they think God won’t destroy them if they hold his prophet for security. Poor Jeremiah; he's old and receives no consideration or respect. How does Jeremiah feel and what does he do?
Psalms 71 and 116 have no titles or superscriptions to give us clues who wrote them. Since they describe an older adult, and all the struggles he has to overcome, they fit well into the context of Jeremiah’s life. Perhaps they were authored by him.
These psalms express the emotions of Jeremiah and what he probably did. The author calls upon the LORD for his protection as he continues to proclaim God’s messages of admonition and judgment. This is what Jeremiah must’ve done. Jeremiah had already been put in stocks, jailed, thrown into a muddy well, confined with chains, and suffered isolation from everyone. Finally, he was carried off into exile before God made it possible to return. Now the people take him with them to Egypt.
What does God say to his obstinate people? Since they’re relying on the gods of Egypt and swearing by them, the prophet proclaims this message:
But hear the word of the LORD, all Jews living in Egypt: “I swear by my great name,” says the LORD, “that no one from Judah living anywhere in Egypt will ever again invoke my name or swear, ‘As surely as the Sovereign LORD lives.’ For I am watching over them for harm, not for good;
the Jews in Egypt will perish by sword and famine until they are all destroyed. Those who escape the sword and return to the land of Judah from Egypt will be very few. Then the whole remnant of Judah who came to live in Egypt will know whose word will stand—mine or theirs” (Jeremiah 44:26-28).
What a powerful message of judgment! This message is even confirmed by a sign—Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt would soon be killed by his enemies. Still, the Jews won’t listen.
What would we do if we were in Jeremiah’s shoes? The temptation would be to quit, stop giving forth God’s message, retire, and then let the people do whatever they want. We would grieve over the demise of our nation, but we tire of fighting against people’s opinions. But perhaps God doesn’t want us to do that.
Discussion
What should we do if the LORD gives us an answer to prayer that we don’t expect or want?
How should we respond if we are the victims of others’ poor choices?
Focus Verse
Jonah 2:8 (NIV) “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”
Enjoy this song by Ivan Parker–“I Choose”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: The Jews in exile were poor and homeless. Was there any hope for the hopeless? If you have felt the same way, you can draw some encouragement from our next lesson. Join us!
Back to top of page
Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page
Go to Scriptures main page
Go to Topics main page
Go to Home pagepage re-edited 2-5-2025
COPYRIGHT @ 2019, MASTER'S TOUCH BIBLE STUDIES