So they said to Jeremiah, "Let the LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the LORD your God sends us by you.
Jeremiah 42:5
"The LORD has said concerning you, O remnant of Judah, 'Do not go to Egypt!' Know certainly that I have admonished you this day.
Jeremiah 42:19
So they went to the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the LORD
Jeremiah 43:7

God’s people, because of their sin, had suffered a terrible defeat at the hands of ruthless pagan enemies. Only a small remnant remained. These, determined to get things right with God, called on God’s prophet, Jeremiah, to inquire of the Lord for them. They pledged to do whatever God said that things might turn around for them. Jeremiah sought God’s will for these who seemed to be seeking the Lord. God’s word via the prophet was clear and simple: Do not go to Egypt, or you will be severely punished. Instead, stay in Israel and be blessed.

When the people, who already had it in their minds to go to Egypt, heard these words, they rejected Jeremiah, insisting that he had not heard from the Lord. They headed to Egypt. Once there—you guessed it—they suffered the consequences, exactly as Jeremiah had prophesied.

Before we cluck our tongues and wag our heads at “those fools,” we might want to consider how many times we have attended church with the intention to hear from he Lord through the preaching, and then, having heard something we do not care for, ignore what God has said.

Let us be reminded of the penetrating words of our Lord, who asked, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things that I say?”