Jeremiah 43

Jeremiah 43 describes the disobedience of the remaining people of Judah after the exile to Babylon: despite the prophet Jeremiah's clear message from God not to flee to Egypt, Johanan and the leaders reject this warning and lead the people to settle there. Once in Egypt, Jeremiah prophesies that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, will invade and conquer Egypt as divine judgment for their disobedience.

In detail:

  • Jeremiah completes delivering God's message to the Jewish remnant, commanding them not to go to Egypt for refuge.

  • The people, led by Johanan son of Kareah and other officials, accuse Jeremiah of lying, claiming he was manipulated by his scribe Baruch and rejecting God's word. They prefer to trust their own judgment, believing Egypt will protect them from Babylon's armies and famine.

  • Despite the clear divine command, they disobey and flee to Egypt, settling in the town of Tahpanhes.

  • While in Egypt, God speaks again to Jeremiah, commanding him to prophesy that Nebuchadnezzar will invade Egypt and will set his throne at the entrance to Pharaoh's palace. Jeremiah symbolically marks the palace entrance with stones as a sign of this coming conquest.

  • The chapter highlights themes of rebellion, false security in human plans, and the certainty of God's judgment on those who reject His word.

Textual and manuscript background: Jeremiah 43 is part of the larger narrative of chapters 37-44, originally written in Hebrew and preserved in Masoretic Text manuscripts and fragments among the Dead Sea Scrolls. It has also been translated into Greek (Septuagint), with several ancient manuscripts attesting to its text.

Thus, Jeremiah 43 portrays the tragic choice of Judah's remnant to disbelieve God's prophet, seek safety outside God's will, and face inevitable judgment through Babylon's conquest of Egypt.

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 4

Romans chapter 4 teaches that Abraham was declared righteous by God because of his faith, not by works or obedience to the law, including circumcision . Paul uses Abraham as the prime example to show that justification—being made right before God—comes through faith alone, which is a gift from God and not earned by human effort. Key points in Romans 4 include: Abraham believed God, and that belief was counted to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3, referencing Genesis 15:6). If Abraham had been justified by works, he would have had something to boast about, but justification is by faith, not works (Romans 4:2, 4–5). Paul anticipates a Jewish objection that Abraham was made righteous through circumcision (a work), but counters that Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised, making circumcision a sign or seal of the righteousness that was already credited to him (Romans 4:9–12). Abraham became a spiritual father not only to Jews but also to Gentiles who believe by faith...
Read more