Jeremiah 41 - 45 (21st August) - Sky

Jeremiah 41

Using deception and surprise, Gegeliah was assassinated by Ishmael son of Nethaniah. This lead to turning point of Judah as they fled to Egypt because they were fearful of the Babylonians reprisals for the assassination of Geladliah whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land.

Egypt, in the minds of the Israelites, had become almost synonymous with security. Sometimes Israel had sought military alliances with Egypt, though God denounced the lack of Faith in him. They probably felt safer to go as immigrants to Egypt than to stay and face the wrath of Nebuchadnezzar.

Times when you want to flee from a situation. Why not believe and trust? Sometimes it’s hard to have faith, but what other better options u have?

Jeremiah 42

As the Jews escape to Egypt, they approached Jeremiah to pray for them for direction. Like sheeps they were lost not only physically but spiritually.

In V5-6 it shows the Jews “humility, obedience and faith” as they choose to act according to the Lord, whether it’s favorable or unfavorable.
But it was more than just humility, it was desperation.

Through Jeremiah, God spoke that if they were to stay, GOD will build them up for HE is grieved over the disaster. But if they were to leave to Egypt, settling there. Death will follow.

Like hypocrites, promising to listen, the Jews changed their tunes.
Sometimes in life, do u choose not to listen? Especially unfavorable things or things where u have to deny yourself?

Jeremiah 43

In this chapter, the Jews entered Egypt in disobedience even of what Jeremiah prophesized, denouncing him as a liar and claiming Jeremiah’s secretary to be inciting him to say such things.

Although with such discouraging acts, Jeremiah and Baruch followed them still, whether they were force to by the Jews or went willingly seeing the Jews in need of divine help. It does not matter because Jeremiah remained faithful to his commitment in serving GOD, even when the people were rebellious.

Once again Jeremiah prophesized that only death would be in Egypt, while the people thought that it was a country of security for them

Jeremiah 44

Like rebellious children, the Jews repeating turned away from our Lord, even when the truth remains that HE is their solution. Idolatry filled the streets as they worshipped them, one of them mentioned in this chapter is “Queen of Heavens”, and she is the Goddess of Sexual love and fertility in Egypt. Similar Goddess, Greek is Aphrodite and Babylon is Ishtar. Now as immigrants fitting into a new culture, they took on gods of that culture as well.

GOD’s anger raged, detested by what they do. “Why bring disaster upon themselves? Why provoke me into anger?” The Lord asks.

As history repeats itself, the Lord was determined to bring disaster on Judah as all will perish in Egypt by the sword or famine.

Jeremiah ended this chapter in a frightening manner.
v26 “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”

Ask yourself, if you were being told that, would you be frightened, lost, losing all hope and faith or will u choose to cry out and humble yourself?

Jeremiah 45

A personal prophesy was shared here to Baruch
V5 should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, For I Will being disaster on all people, declares the Lord but wherever u go I will let u escape with your life.