DO NOT GO TO EGYPT!

Jeremiah 42:18-19

It is a strange proclivity that humans have to return to the familiar, even when it was terrible. Following the end of the Civil War, there were slaves that returned to their former owners because they did not know what to do with their newfound freedom and life was hard. Battered women will return to their abuser, or seek out someone like him. We also have a tendency to do the same thing when it comes to sin. We know that something is harmful, but we just keep going back to it. We know that their will be consequences, but... In doing so, we place ourselves right back into the shackles we were freed from.

In our text today, just as Jeremiah had prophesied, Nebuchadnezzar came and destroyed Jerusalem. The people would not listen to the Word of God. Rejection of the Word of God always brings judgment and destruction. Now, thew remnant that are left God to Jeremiah and ask him what God would have them do. They promise to obey God. What does God tell them? DO NOT GO INTO EGYPT!

---

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be kan execration, and jan astonishment, and ika curse, and jla reproach; and ye shall see this place no more. 19 The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.

Jeremiah 42:18-19

---

For the Jews, Egypt was the place of slavery. God had rescued them out of the land to bring them into a land he had promised them. All that was required of them was obedience. If they would obey, he would bless them with provision, protection, and prosperity. Yet, they did not serve him. Now, faced with judgment for their sins and rejection of God, he tells them "Go ye not into Egypt". Do not return to the land I rescued you from. Do not return to that old life of slavery and oppression.

Isn't that what we are all tempted to do when things don't go the way we think they should? Like Peter, we say "I go a fishing". I'm leaving this ministry, this service, the church, and going back to my old life. I had it so much better there. At least in Egypt I had food and protection. All the while we forget the abuse and beatings of slavery (to sin).

God tells them don't go back to that life. I rescued you. I brought you out of that. Will you finally trust me. Even when things look bad and hopeless, if you obey me, I am with you. He does not promise that the enemy will not come against us, but he does promise victory if we are obedient. Sadly, the people did not listen to Jeremiah. We do not read this in chapter 42. The account of their disobedience is yet in future chapters. However, true to form they disobeyed and just as God promised, they were destroyed. God does not make suggestions that we can chose to obey. He gives commands as the ultimate authority in the Universe. If we disobey worldly leaders and face consequences, how much more if we disobey the God of the universe?

Father, we are all tempted to flee into Egypt. We do not remember the wretched condition you rescued us from the way that it was. We see our fears and worries and believe things were better back then. Help me to trust you like Jeremiah did. Help me to be obedient no matter the cost. Help me to proclaim your word, even when the world threatens with harm and death.