Chapter 42

1 Johanan desireth Jeremiah to enquire of God, promising obedience to his will. 7 Jeremiah assureth him of safety in Judea, 13 and destruction in Egypt. 19 He reproveth their hypocrisy, in requiring of the Lord that which they meant not.

1. Jezaniah. See ch. 40:8. Instead of Jezaniah the LXX here gives the name of Azariah (see ch. 43:2).

2. Pray for us. Inasmuch as Jeremiah had gone to Mizpah (ch. 40:6), he was undoubtedly among those being carried off by Ishmael who were rescued by Johanan at Gibeon (ch. 41:10, 13, 14). Looking to him now as their true prophet, whose patriotism could be trusted, all the people besought him to ask God on their behalf for wisdom and guidance.

5. Then they said. Now thoroughly humbled because of the sufferings brought upon them by the Babylonian invasion, the people earnestly declared their complete submission to whatever God might have in mind for them. They pledged their full obedience to “the voice of the Lord” (v. 6). See on v. 20.

7. After ten days. This time lapse should have been an evidence to the people that Jeremiah was not giving his own answer but one that came through him from God after much prayer and meditation (see on Jer. 24:4; cf. Eze. 3:15, 16).

10. Build you. A reaffirmation of God’s intention toward His people (see chs. 1:10; 18:7–10; 24:4–6; see on ch. 32:41).

For I repent me. See on Num. 23:19. This does not mean sorrow for what was done in the past, as is true of men for their transgressions, but a change in God’s purpose from judgment to mercy because of the change of men’s attitude and action (see Jer. 18:8; 26:3; see on Joel 2:13).

12. To return to your own land. This may be understood as signifying either that they would be taken to Babylon as others had been and later returned to their homeland; or that they, as the “remnant” of the Jews permitted by the Chaldeans to remain now in the land (2 Kings 25:10–12, 22), would surely return to their own fields and vineyards. It seems evident that Jeremiah intended to convey the latter meaning.

14. Into the land of Egypt. The land of the Nile seemed to offer a safe and peaceful place in which to dwell. It was the granary of the East, and its abundant harvests would provide a pleasing and much-to-be-desired contrast with the famine conditions the “remnant” (v. 2) had experienced because of the Babylonian invasion.

The very answer of the prophet to the people gave evidence that it was inspired by God. The secret intents, wishes, or hopes of the people to go to Egypt (see vs. 14–20), in spite of their professed willingness to follow the counsel of the Lord, whatever it might be (see on v. 5), were now unveiled by God in this message given through Jeremiah. God in His mercy did not leave the people unwarned as to the consequences of rejecting His message (vs. 16–18).

16. Then it shall come to pass. Once again Jeremiah warns against looking to Egypt for help instead of submitting to the Babylonians (see chs. 2:36; 37:7–10).

20. Dissembled in your hearts. The earnestness of the people’s declared intention to follow the will of God was only a pretense. Like Balaam of old (see on Num. 22:20), the people were hoping that the Lord would endorse a course of action they were desirous of pursuing. We must ever guard against making the same mistake in our great life decisions.