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JER

Jeremiah 43

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Read Jeremiah Chapter 43

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1And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words,

2Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:

3But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.

4So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.

5But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;

6Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.

7So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they even to Tahpanhes.

8Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,

9Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;

10And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.

11And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword.

12And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.

13He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire.

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Explanation

Jeremiah 43

In short

Jeremiah tells the survivors of Judah not to flee to Egypt, but they refuse to listen and take him with them anyway. Once in Egypt, God gives Jeremiah a dramatic sign: he buries stones at the Egyptian ruler's house and announces that the Babylonian king will come, conquer Egypt, and sit on those very stones.

What the text says

In verse 1, Jeremiah finishes speaking God's words to the people. Verse 2 shows their response: Azariah, Johanan, and other leaders tell Jeremiah he is lying and that God never sent him to warn them against going to Egypt. In verse 3, they blame Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, for turning him against them and say they fear Baruch wants them handed over to the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to be killed or captured. Verses 4 to 7 describe what happens: despite God's message, Johanan and the army captains lead the people, including women, children, the king's daughters, and Jeremiah and Baruch themselves, into Egypt and arrive at Tahpanhes. Verses 8 to 13 show God's next move. In Tahpanhes, God tells Jeremiah to take large stones and hide them in clay at the entrance to Pharaoh's house, in front of the Jews watching. God then has Jeremiah announce that he will bring the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, who will set his throne on those hidden stones, conquer Egypt, burn the temples, and take control of the land.

Takeaways

  • The people reject God's word through Jeremiah and choose what seems safer to them, only to be led into the danger they flee.
  • God uses a visible sign of buried stones to show that his word, though rejected, will come to pass.
  • Running from God's instruction does not escape the judgment God announces.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.

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