General James Green
Today we’re going to look at Jeremiah, chapter 42, our third (3) lesson.
We learned from Jeremiah, chapter 26, that Jeremiah was commanded by the LORD to take a roll of a book and write in it what God had to say to the King Jehoiakim, hoping that Judah would REPENT of their EVIL ways, (see Jer. 36:3-7 also). IF they did REPENT, THEN the LORD would RELENT of the EVIL/ CALAMITY that He was going to do.
IF Judah would REPENT, God graciously promises to forgive their iniquity/sin. But instead, they accused Jeremiah of lying and told him he was worthy of death.
We know the story: the king refused to hear/repent, burning the scroll twice (chapter 36). Eventually, Jeremiah was thrown into a pit (prison, see Jer. 37, 38).
Turning to chapter 42, we find Jeremiah freed. The remnant of Judah (ones not taken to Babylon) came to him asking counsel from the LORD – what to do, Jer. 42:1-3. He tells them to stay in Judah for they would be safe there. The story unfolds, Jeremiah tells them, “If you will remain in this land (Judah), then I will build you & not pull you down, & I will plant you & not pluck you up. For I RELENT concerning the DISASTER that I have brought upon you.” -Jer. 42:10
Here, again, we find the “if”/ “then” clause. Their well-being depended upon their obedience, i.e., it was conditional (see 24:5-7 / 31:28).
Note how the “if”/ “then” clause is used:
“If you will still remain in this land, then I will… (v. 10); “But if you say, ‘we will not dwell in this land,’ disobeying the voice of the LORD your God… then hear now the Word of the LORD… If you wholly (lit., surely) set your faces to enter Egypt… then it shall be that the sword… will overtake you… the famine will… follow close after you… and there you shall die.” (Vv. 15, 16).
So, what have we learned? Pay close attention to those “if” / “then” clauses. IF we repent, God THEN repents (if we have caused Him to have controversy with us).
How much trouble do we generate against ourselves because we refuse to obey the Lord?
The rebellious Jews went on into Egypt just the same. Jeremiah reminds them of the calamity that God brought upon Judah/Jerusalem – a desolation (Jer. 44:2). He did this because of their refusal to REPENT of their wickedness (Jer. 44:3). They burnt incense to other gods (Jer. 44:3), in turn God sent prophets saying, “Oh, do not do this ABOMINABLE thing that I HATE!” (Jer. 44:4).
The Spirit of God has been telling us for some years now that He is bringing desolation/destruction upon the world – the USA included! God is ANGRY with the nations. He is pleading for them to REPENT – “IF” they will turn from their evil ways, “THEN” He will RELENT/REPENT of the calamities He Has in store, war being one of them. Look at the world stage – destruction looms. Repent & live!
