Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us, for we will obey the voice of the LORD our God!" Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant,The remnant of Judah pledged to receive God’s answer without reserving the right to reject it. Their words echoed Job’s willingness to accept both blessing and adversity from the Lord, recognizing that God remains righteous in every providence. Job 2:10 “You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her.… we will obey the voice of the LORD our God Obedience to the Lord stands at the heart of covenant faithfulness. Israel had repeatedly learned that sacrifice, ritual, and religious profession could not replace submission to God’s revealed will. Exo 24:7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it… to whom we are sending you, Johanan, the military leaders, and the people had sent Jeremiah to seek the Lord’s direction after Gedaliah’s assassination and the Babylonian reprisals they feared. Jeremiah served as God’s appointed messenger, as Moses and the prophets had done throughout Israel’s history. 1Sa 9:9 Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God… so that it may go well with us They acknowledged that safety and blessing depended not on fleeing to Egypt or trusting human plans, but on following the Lord’s command. God had promised His people life and well-being when they walked in His ways. Deu 4:40 Keep His statutes and commandments, which I am giving you… when we obey the voice of the LORD our God!” Their pledge would soon be tested when Jeremiah instructed them to remain in Judah. Although they confessed that obedience would bring good, the people later rejected God’s word and went to Egypt, revealing the danger of promising submission while resisting God’s will when it conflicts with fear and desire. Exo 19:5 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant,… Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of the Israelites. He is the mouthpiece of God in this passage. 2. Johanan and the Remnant of Judah Johanan was a leader among the remnant of Judah who sought Jeremiah's counsel. The remnant refers to the small group of Israelites left in Judah after the Babylonian conquest. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who speaks through His prophet Jeremiah. The people are seeking His guidance for their future actions. 4. Egypt The place where the remnant of Judah considered fleeing to escape Babylonian rule, against God's directive. 5. Babylonian Exile The historical context of this passage, where the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon. The remnant is seeking guidance on whether to stay in Judah or flee to Egypt. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceObedience to God's word is crucial, whether His commands are pleasant or unpleasant. True faith is demonstrated through obedience. Seeking God's Guidance Like the remnant, we should seek God's guidance in all decisions, trusting that His plans are for our good. Trust in God's Sovereignty Even when God's instructions seem counterintuitive, trusting in His sovereignty leads to blessings and protection. Commitment to Follow Through It's not enough to express a desire to obey; we must follow through with action, as the remnant pledged to do. Consequences of Disobedience The historical context reminds us that disobedience leads to negative consequences, reinforcing the need for adherence to God's will. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the remnant's commitment to obey God's voice, regardless of the outcome, teach us about the nature of true obedience?2. How can we apply the principle of seeking God's guidance in our daily decision-making processes? 3. In what ways does trusting in God's sovereignty help us when His instructions seem difficult or unpleasant? 4. Reflect on a time when you committed to obeying God. How did you ensure that your commitment translated into action? 5. How do the consequences faced by the Israelites for disobedience serve as a warning for us today? How can we learn from their example? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience to God's commands, which parallels the remnant's desire for things to "go well" with them through obedience. 1 Samuel 15:22 This verse emphasizes that obedience is better than sacrifice, highlighting the importance of obeying God's voice as the remnant pledges to do. James 1:22-25 This New Testament passage encourages believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers, which aligns with the remnant's commitment to obey God's voice.
People Hoshaiah, Jeremiah, Jezaniah, Johanan, KareahPlaces Babylon, Egypt, JerusalemTopics Ear, Evil, Favorable, Guided, Hearken, Listen, Obey, Pleasant, Sending, Unfavorable, Unpleasant, Voice, WhetherDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 42:6Library Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed. "Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah i. 8. The Prophets were ever ungratefully treated by the Israelites, they were resisted, their warnings neglected, their good services forgotten. But there was this difference between the earlier and the later Prophets; the earlier lived and died in honour among their people,--in outward honour; though hated and thwarted by the wicked, they were exalted to high places, and ruled in the congregation. … John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII "The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not Subject to the Law of God, Neither Indeed Can Be. So Then they that Are Jeremiah Links Jeremiah 42:6 NIVJeremiah 42:6 NLT Jeremiah 42:6 ESV Jeremiah 42:6 NASB Jeremiah 42:6 KJV Jeremiah 42:6 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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