Day 238, August 26 Chronological Bible Study 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 do not 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: would they flee possible revenge from their enemies, or would they believe the LORD and find protection from him? What should we do if we are faced with a similar circumstance?
Right Choice/Wrong Choice
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, who fled when Babylon attacked Jerusalem, gained the confidence to return. This included the army. Gedaliah pardoned the soldiers for their offenses, realizing they were only following the orders of their deposed king, Zedekiah.
Some of the refugees of war fled to friendly nations. Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, who was of royal blood, was one of them. Wanting their government back, he and ten other men staged a coup against Gedaliah. They ate a meal with him in Mizpah of Judah (the new capital of Judah after Babylon destroyed Jerusalem). 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 Ishmael’s betrayal, they formed a posse and chased him and his band. They recovered all of the residents of Mizpah and killed two of Ishmael’s men, before Ishmael and the rest of his men escaped.
Fearing revenge from Babylon because the governor was killed, they chose to 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 witness God’s message and their reaction to it. God’s answer is not what they expect or want. The LORD tells them to stay in Israel, and he will protect them. Egypt is not a place of safety. Although she has a powerful army, Babylon will soon come and destroy her. The leaders of Judah call Jeremiah a liar.
Jeremiah, a Victim of Choice
In disobedience to the LORD’s command, they continue on with their plan and even take Jeremiah with them. Perhaps they think God will not destroy them if they have his prophet for security. Poor Jeremiah. He is old but receives no consideration or respect. How does Jeremiah feel, and what does he do?
The old prophet calls upon the LORD for his protection as he continues to proclaim God’s messages of warning and judgment. Jeremiah had already been put in stocks, jailed, lowered into a muddy well, chained, isolated from everyone, and carried off into exile, before he was allowed to return. Now he is taken to Egypt.
Do we ever fall victim to the choices of others? What can we do? Sometimes we just have to ride with it and pray God will help us.
What does God say to his stubborn people? Since they are 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).
This message of judgment is confirmed by a sign—Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt will soon be killed by his enemies. Still, the Jews will not 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 tire of fighting against people’s opinions. But perhaps God does not want us to do that. Instead of quitting, let’s pray for God’s wisdom and perseverance as we continue to do his will.
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 mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
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!
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