Defiance and Destiny: The Flight to Egypt

Despite the seeming security found in their own plans, the people of Judah could not escape God's judgement. Their disobedience led them into a destiny of desolation, prophesied by Jeremiah. Their story serves as a reminder of the ultimate futility of seeking safety outside of God’s will and the inescapable nature of His judgement. God's promises are firm and His judgement sure, prompting us to live in faith and obedience to His word.

Verses 1-3: Defiance against the Prophet

After Jeremiah finished relaying God's message to the remnant of Judah, Johanan son of Kareah, and the other arrogant men accused Jeremiah of lying. They claimed that Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, was inciting him against the people, to hand them over to the Babylonians.

Verses 4-7: Flight to Egypt

Despite Jeremiah's prophetic warning, Johanan son of Kareah and the rest of the leaders of the forces, disobediently led the remnant of Judah into Egypt, a place God explicitly instructed them to avoid.

Verses 8-13: Prophecy of Egypt's Conquest

While in Tahpanhes, Egypt, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. He prophesied that Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, would attack and conquer Egypt. Jeremiah marked the entrance of Pharaoh’s palace with stones as a sign that Nebuchadnezzar would set up his throne there.

Jeremiah 43, a chapter filled with defiance, false security, and prophetic judgement, is a continuation of the story in Jeremiah 42. It is a dramatic depiction of the struggle between faith in God's word and the pursuit of self-determined security, revealing the implications of disobedience and disbelief.

Disobedience to God's command
Prophecy and Fulfilment
False Security
JudgmentDisbelief in God's Message
Defiance against the Prophet
Flight to Egypt
Prophecy of Egypt's ConquestJeremiah
Johanan son of Kareah
Azariah son of Hoshaiah
Nebuchadnezzar
The remnant of JudahMizpah
Egypt
Tahpanhes

1. How does the reaction of Johanan and the leaders to Jeremiah's prophecy reflect the common responses to God's messages today?

2. How does this chapter illustrate the danger of hardening one's heart against God's message?

3. Discuss the implications of the statement "the remnant of Judah...entered Egypt". What does this signify in terms of their obedience to God's command?

4. Why do you think the people of Judah chose Egypt for their refuge? What does this tell us about their trust in God's promise?

5. In what ways do people today seek their own "Egypts", places of false security?

6. Discuss the role of Baruch as mentioned by the arrogant men. How is this relevant in today's context?

7. How did the prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar's invasion of Egypt come true in the lives of the disobedient Israelites?

8. Reflect on Jeremiah’s action of marking the entrance of Pharaoh's palace. What does this act represent?

9. What lessons can modern believers learn from the disobedience of Johanan and the remnant of Judah?

10. In what areas of your life are you seeking security outside God’s will? How can you refocus your trust onto God's promise?

11. How does this chapter help us understand the seriousness of disobedience to God’s commands?

12. How does this story apply to the principle of "reaping what you sow"?

13. What strategies can you employ to avoid the temptation of disbelief when God's instructions seem difficult or counterintuitive?

14. How should we respond when we don't agree with or understand God's plan?

15. Discuss the importance of seeking and obeying God's will, even in the face of fear or uncertainty.

16. How can we identify and resist the "false securities" in our lives today?

17. How does the prophecy and its fulfilment in this chapter affirm the sovereignty of God?

18. How does the journey of the remnant of Judah relate to the concept of the consequences of free will?

19. Reflect on a time when disobedience led to undesired consequences in your life. How did that experience shape your understanding of obedience to God?

20. How does Jeremiah 43 challenge you to rethink your understanding of trust and obedience to God?