Jeremiah 42:19
The LORD has told you, O remnant of Judah, 'Do not go to Egypt.' Know for sure that I have warned you today!
The LORD has told you
This phrase emphasizes the direct communication from God to the people of Judah. In the context of Jeremiah, God often spoke through His prophets to guide and instruct His people. This underscores the authority and divine origin of the message. The phrase reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God actively communicates His will.

O remnant of Judah
The term "remnant" refers to the small group of Israelites who survived the Babylonian conquest and exile. This remnant is significant in biblical prophecy, often representing hope and the continuation of God's promises. Historically, the remnant faced uncertainty and fear, seeking guidance for survival. Theologically, the remnant is a recurring theme, symbolizing those who remain faithful to God amidst widespread unfaithfulness.

‘Do not go to Egypt.’
Egypt, in biblical history, is often seen as a place of refuge but also a symbol of reliance on human strength rather than God. The Israelites had a history of turning to Egypt in times of trouble, as seen in Isaiah 30:1-2. This command is a test of faith, urging the remnant to trust in God's provision rather than seeking security in a foreign land. It also reflects the historical context where Egypt was a political power, tempting Judah to form alliances.

Know for sure
This phrase serves as an emphatic assurance of the certainty and seriousness of God's warning. It highlights the importance of heeding divine instruction and the consequences of disobedience. The certainty of God's word is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing His unchanging nature and the reliability of His promises.

that I have warned you today!
The warning is immediate and urgent, indicating the critical nature of the decision facing the remnant. It reflects God's mercy in providing guidance and the responsibility of the people to respond appropriately. This warning is consistent with the prophetic tradition, where prophets often served as watchmen, alerting the people to impending danger. The urgency of "today" underscores the need for prompt obedience to God's commands.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The sovereign God of Israel, who communicates His will and warnings to His people through the prophet Jeremiah.

2. Jeremiah
The prophet chosen by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah, often warning them of the consequences of their disobedience.

3. Remnant of Judah
The remaining people of Judah who survived the Babylonian conquest and are seeking guidance on whether to flee to Egypt for safety.

4. Egypt
A neighboring nation often seen as a place of refuge but also a symbol of reliance on human strength and past bondage, contrary to trusting in God.

5. Warning
A divine admonition given by God through Jeremiah, cautioning the remnant of Judah against seeking refuge in Egypt.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Guidance
God’s instructions, even when they seem counterintuitive, are always for our ultimate good. Trusting in His guidance requires faith and obedience.

Avoiding the Temptation of False Security
Egypt represents a false sense of security. Believers must be wary of seeking refuge in worldly solutions rather than relying on God.

Heeding Divine Warnings
God’s warnings are acts of grace meant to protect us. Ignoring them can lead to dire consequences, as seen throughout biblical history.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God’s commands is crucial, even when it challenges our understanding or desires. It reflects our trust in His sovereignty.

Learning from Past Mistakes
The history of Israel serves as a lesson for believers today. We must learn from past mistakes and choose to follow God’s path.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the remnant of Judah's consideration to go to Egypt reveal about their trust in God, and how can we apply this to our own lives when facing uncertainty?

2. How does the warning against going to Egypt relate to the broader biblical theme of reliance on God versus reliance on human strength?

3. In what ways can modern believers identify and avoid "Egypts" in their lives—places or things they might turn to instead of God?

4. How can we discern and respond to God’s warnings in our lives today, and what role does scripture play in this process?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a decision similar to the remnant of Judah. How did you seek God’s guidance, and what was the outcome? How can this experience inform your future decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 14
The Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, highlighting God's power and the futility of returning to a place of former bondage.

Isaiah 30:1-3
A warning against forming alliances with Egypt, emphasizing reliance on God rather than human powers.

2 Kings 25
The fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile, providing context for the remnant's situation and their temptation to flee to Egypt.
Carnal PredispositionsA.F. Muir Jeremiah 42:19-22
Searching the HeartD. Young Jeremiah 42:19-22
People
Hoshaiah, Jeremiah, Jezaniah, Johanan, Kareah
Places
Babylon, Egypt, Jerusalem
Topics
Admonished, Certainly, Certainty, Clearly, Egypt, Enter, Forewarned, Judah, O, Remnant, Spoken, Sure, Testified, To-day, Understand, Warn, Warned, Witness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 42:19-21

     8126   guidance, need for

Library
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
Rom. viii. s 7, 8.--"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 in the flesh cannot please God." It is not the least of man's evils, that he knows not how evil he is, therefore the Searcher of the heart of man gives the most perfect account of it, Jer. xvii. 12. "The heart is deceitful above all things," as well as "desperately wicked," two things superlative and excessive in it, bordering upon an infiniteness, such
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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