Jeremiah

Jeremiah 43: The word of the LORD stands

Begin in prayer

Before we read how the people refused the LORD’s word, and how that word still stands, let us come before Him in prayer. Ask Him to make our hearts willing to hear His word, to be with our family as we read, and to show us Jesus, the Word who never fails.

Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

Psalms 119:105

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Your word stands forever, even when people refuse to hear it. Show us Jesus, the Word who came to save sinners, 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

Azariah, Johanan and the proud men say that Jeremiah speaks falsely and that Baruch has turned him against them (verses 1 to 3). The people refuse to obey the LORD’s voice, and they do not stay in the land of Judah (verse 4). Johanan takes the remnant of Judah, with Jeremiah and Baruch, and they go into Egypt (verses 5 to 7). At Tahpanhes, the LORD tells Jeremiah to hide stones at Pharaoh’s house, where the men of Judah can see (verses 8 and 9). The LORD says He will send Nebuchadnezzar, His servant, who will set his throne on those same stones (verse 10). Nebuchadnezzar will strike the land of Egypt, and he will burn the houses of the gods of Egypt (verses 11 to 13).

As you read Jeremiah 43, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD rules over kings, and His word stands even when people refuse it.

They called Jeremiah a liar and blamed Baruch, because they did not want to hear the warning (verses 2 and 3). They had just heard all the words of the LORD from Jeremiah, yet they chose to disobey (verses 1 and 4). Egypt was the land they chose instead of trusting the promise the LORD had made to keep them in Judah (verses 4 to 7). The LORD still sent His word to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, so His word reached even the people who had run from Him (verse 8). Tahpanhes was a city in Egypt, and the stones were set at Pharaoh’s house, where the men of Judah could see (verse 9). The hidden stones were a sign that God rules over kings, since He would set Nebuchadnezzar’s throne on them (verse 10). Nebuchadnezzar is called the LORD’s servant, so even a king of Babylon serves the LORD’s purpose (verse 10). No refusal can make the word of the LORD false, and every sinner who refuses it must answer to Him (verses 4 and 7). Jesus is the Word who never fails.

How does Jeremiah 43 show us that the LORD rules over kings, and that His word stands even when people refuse it?

The LORD’s word stands when people refuse it.

Azariah and the proud men said the LORD had not sent Jeremiah (verse 2). Their refusal did not change the word of the LORD, which stood as He had spoken it (verses 4 and 7). Jesus, the Word who came from the Father, calls every sinner to repent and trust Him.

God rules over the kings of the earth.

The LORD calls Nebuchadnezzar His servant, and He will set his throne on the stones Jeremiah hid (verses 10 and 11). Kings of the earth cannot stop what the LORD has spoken. Jesus is King over all.

Memorize

Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant

Jeremiah 43:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, will I believe the LORD’s word and trust Jesus, the Word of God?

The people refused the LORD’s word, and they took Jeremiah with them to Egypt (verses 4 to 7). Their refusal did not make God’s word false. Whoever turns away from the LORD will find that His word still stands.

Jesus is the Word of God who came into the world to save sinners. He bore the sin of His people, and He rose from the dead. His death is enough for all who come to Him. Jesus welcomes sinners. Please turn from your sin and trust Him, because He forgives everyone who comes to Him, and His word never fails.

Do not follow the proud men who would not listen. Come to Jesus today, and trust Him with your whole heart. The LORD’s word stands forever, and it calls you to repent and believe.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD’s word stands, even when people refuse to obey it. Parents, you may want to explain why the people went to Egypt, and that they chose their own plan over God’s promise. 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 that His word stands forever, and bring the heart question to Him. Give each child a turn to pray, in a few words.

Yahweh’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.

Psalms 12:6

Lord, thank You that Your word stands forever, even when people refuse it. Forgive us for the times we ignore Your voice. Thank You for Jesus, the Word who never fails, who bore our punishment and rose from the dead. Help us to turn from sin, trust Him, and listen to Your word this week. Amen.