Links for today’s readings:
Sep 17 Read: Jeremiah 43 Listen: (2:34) Read: 2 Corinthians 3 Listen: (2:25)
Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 43.1-7
1 When Jeremiah had finished telling the people all the words of the Lord their God—everything the Lord had sent him to tell them—2 Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to settle there.’ 3 But Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us to hand us over to the Babylonians, so they may kill us or carry us into exile to Babylon.”
4 So Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers and all the people disobeyed the Lord’s command to stay in the land of Judah. 5 Instead, Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers led away all the remnant of Judah who had come back to live in the land of Judah from all the nations where they had been scattered. 6 They also led away all those whom Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard had left with Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan—the men, the women, the children and the king’s daughters. And they took Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch son of Neriah along with them. 7 So they entered Egypt in disobedience to the Lord and went as far as Tahpanhes.
Reflection: We’re Going to Egypt!
By John Tillman
Jeremiah and his scribe, Baruch, were taken against their will into the exact situation they advised against and knew was going to be a disaster.
Many leaders had come to Jeremiah (or other prophets) asking for a word from the Lord about their situation. Many disobeyed God’s instructions for those situations and many persecuted or killed the prophets who spoke for God.
In some ways, Johanan is similar to those previous leaders, but in one way, Johanan is unique. Few other leaders swore so boldly that they would follow what the prophet said (Jer 42.1), and then so quickly did exactly the opposite (Jer 43.1-2). Jeremiah said, “Don’t go to Egypt.” (Jer 42.19) Johanan immediately said, “We’re going to Egypt and we’re taking you with us!” (Jer 43.2-7)
Johanan didn’t get the answer he wanted to hear and concluded that Jeremiah was compromised by political motives. The truth was that Johanan wanted God to bless his decisions instead of submitting his decisions to God.
Have you answered someone’s question about a topic you are an expert on and then watched them do the exact opposite? And then, you had to suffer along with them the consequences of their foolish decision? I have. We all probably have. You might have experienced this as a parent, a teacher, a friend, an employee, an advisor, a therapist, or even as a voter.
Johanan is not the only one to ever swear to do something and fail to do it because of fear. Peter is a New Testament example. Despite his oath to never fall away (Matt 26.33-35), Peter folded under the pressure of his fears and fled the servant girl’s questions, weeping (Matt 26.69-75).
Jeremiah and Baruch are faithful and follow their principles, no matter the consequences. We’d all do well to follow their example. However, we must also consider when we might be in Johanan’s or Peter’s positions rather than Jeremiah’s.
Like Johanan, we are likely to be tempted to reject facts, teachings, or advice that we are inclined to disagree with. Like Peter, we are very likely to find our commitments difficult to keep.
Perhaps great oaths are not a sign of great faith but of great fear. A greater sign of faith might not be pledging that we are brave, but confessing that we are afraid. Great faith doesn’t require great oaths. Jesus tells us to simply let our “Yes” be “Yes.” (Matt 5.37)
Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
My eyes are upon the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me… — Psalm 101.6
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.
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