In this chapter the remnant of Judah disobey God’s words through Jeremiah and flee to Egypt.
“When Jeremiah finished speaking to all the people all these words of the Lord their God… Azariah… and Johanan… and all the insolent men said to Jeremiah, ‘You are telling a lie. The Lord our God did not send you to say, “Do not go to Egypt to live there”…’ But Johanan… and all the commanders… took all the remnant of Judah… And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the Lord…” (v1-2, 4-5, 7 abr)
The misled leaders of Judah force Jeremiah the remnant of Judah into Egypt. After arriving in Egypt, Jeremiah prophesies that Egypt will be destroyed by the King of Babylon, so they have walked right into the disaster they were trying to avoid (destruction by Babylon).
Have you ever done the exact opposite of what God asked? I have (though often it’s unintentional). It’s important to learn how to discern God’s voice and believe Him when He asks us to do something. Satan calls God a liar (“Did He really say…?”), so if we disbelieve what God is telling us, then we’re listening to the wrong voice. Satan is an expert deceiver, so it’s easy for him to cast doubt on God’s word(s).
How do we learn the sound of God’s voice? The same way we familiarize ourselves with another person’s voice and speech patterns: we spend time with Him and listen. The more time we spend in prayer, in scripture, and with other Christ followers, the easier it will become to recognize the Father’s voice.
Father God, our Truth-Speaking Lord and Sovereign King, You are deserving of our attention. Please help us to discern Your voice from voices that twist Your words. May we trust You exclusively, and know Your voice well, even when You speak through other Christ followers. May we dwell in prayer and in Your word, so we learn to recognize the sound of Your voice. May we then teach others to hear Your calling, and believe Your steadfast words / promises. In Jesus’ name we honor You, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training