Jeremiah

Jeremiah 42: The LORD builds those who trust

Begin in prayer

Before we read how the remnant asked Jeremiah to pray, and how the LORD builds up those who trust Him and obey His word, let us come before Him in prayer. Ask Him to make our hearts ready to obey, to be with our family as we read, and to show us Jesus, who always did what the Father asked.

Teach me your way, Yahweh. Lead me in a straight path, because of my enemies.

Psalms 27:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You build up those who trust You, and help us to obey Your voice. Show us Jesus, who always did what the Father asked, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The captains, Johanan and all the people ask Jeremiah to pray that the LORD will show them what to do (verses 1 to 3). They promise to obey whatever the LORD says, whether it is good or bad (verses 5 and 6). After ten days the LORD speaks to Jeremiah, and he calls all the people together to hear the word (verses 7 to 9). If they stay in the land, the LORD promises to build them up and not pull them down (verse 10). He tells them not to fear the king of Babylon, because He is with them to save them (verses 11 and 12). But if they go to Egypt, the sword and famine will overtake them there, and none will escape (verses 13 to 17). Jeremiah warns that they have dealt deceitfully against their own souls, and that they will die where they desire to go (verses 18 to 22).

As you read Jeremiah 42, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD builds up those who trust Him and obey His word.

The people asked Jeremiah to pray for them, and they promised to obey whatever the LORD said, good or bad (verses 1 to 6). Jeremiah answered that he would pray and keep nothing back from them (verse 4). The LORD answered after ten days, and He did not hurry to suit the people’s wishes (verse 7). The LORD said that He grieved over the distress He had sent, yet He promised to build His people in the land (verse 10). He also promised mercy, so that the king of Babylon would show them mercy and let them return to their own land (verse 12). They wanted a land with no war and no hunger, but the sword and famine would find them in Egypt (verses 14 to 16). Trusting God means obeying His word, even when His answer is not what we hoped for (verses 20 and 21). Jesus perfectly obeyed the Father, and He gives true life to all who turn from their own way and trust Him.

How does Jeremiah 42 show us that the LORD builds up those who trust Him and obey His word?

The LORD builds up those who stay and trust Him.

The LORD said that if the people stayed in the land, He would build them and not pull them down (verse 10). He would plant them and not pluck them up, and He would grant them mercy (verses 10 to 12). Jesus gives His people a secure place with the Father.

The LORD calls His people to obey His word.

The people promised to obey, but the LORD says they had not obeyed His voice (verses 5, 6 and 21). Words alone are not obedience, and the LORD looks at the heart. Jesus obeyed the Father perfectly.

Turning from God’s word brings ruin.

The LORD warns that the sword and famine will overtake those who go to Egypt (verses 15 to 17). This warning is true, and the LORD gave it so that the people would turn back and obey. Jesus bore the judgment our sin deserved.

Memorize

If you will still live in this land, then I will build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up

Jeremiah 42:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what hard word of God do I resist, and will I come to Jesus?

The remnant asked for the LORD’s word and promised to obey it, but the LORD knew they had not obeyed (verses 1 to 6, 21). Their promise sounded good, and it was not enough.

Jesus is the One who always did what the Father asked. He trusted the Father in everything, and on the cross He bore the sin of His people. He rose from the dead, and what He did is enough for all who come to Him. Jesus welcomes sinners. Please turn from your sin and trust Him, because He forgives all who come to Him and builds them on His work.

The LORD says that He will build up those who stay and trust Him. Everyone who comes to Jesus in faith is forgiven and built on Him, and He does not let them be pulled down. Come to Him today, and do not wait until the warnings come true.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD builds up those who trust Him and obey His word. Parents, you may want to explain that the people promised to obey, but the LORD said they had not obeyed Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His promise to build up those who trust Him, and bring the heart question to Him. Let each child pray a short prayer if they wish.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.

Psalms 32:8

Lord, thank You that You build up those who trust You. Forgive us for the times we ask for Your word and then go our own way. Thank You for Jesus, who obeyed the Father perfectly and rose from the dead. Help us to trust You, to obey Your voice, and to rest in You this week. Amen.