Jeremiah 42 “A Heart That Shows and a Heart That Hides”

Jeremiah 42 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:      

• Hillsong – I Surrender
• Lead Me to the Cross – Hillsong Worship
• Here Again – Elevation Worship

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Noah by Saddleback Kids – Lesson for Kids
• Vast Voyage | High Seas Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• God Will Guide Us | HLA Wilderness Escape VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Leaning on the Everlasting Arms | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

After rescuing the people of Judah who had been captured by Ishmael, Johanan leads them toward Egypt and stops in Bethlehem to rest. While in Bethlehem, Johanan and the people of Judah come to Jeremiah (v.1) and ask him to inquire of the Lord “concerning the way we should go and what we should do” (vv.2–3). Having seen that Jeremiah’s prophecies had all come true, they now recognize that he is truly a man of God. Jeremiah agrees (v.4), and the people of Judah vow that whether they like the answer or not, they will follow the will of the Lord (vv.5–6).

Ten days later, Jeremiah appears before the people and declares the Lord’s will: they must not flee to Egypt but remain in the land of Judah (vv.7–8). Although they feared Babylon because of Gedaliah’s assassination, the Lord tells them not to be afraid. If they remain in the land, He promises to protect them and restore them (vv.9–12).

However, the people of Judah had already made up their minds to go to Egypt. They had asked Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord, not because they truly desired to know God’s will, but because they wanted to hear permission to go to Egypt. The Lord knows this, and through Jeremiah, He rebukes them (vv.13–14). The Lord makes it clear that fleeing to Egypt is not the path to life but the path to destruction. Though they want to escape war, famine, and plague by going to Egypt, those same disasters will meet them there (vv.15–18).

After delivering the Lord’s full message, Jeremiah rebukes them for asking him to seek the Lord’s will even though they had no intention of obeying it. He warns that they will indeed face disaster in Egypt, just as the Lord has spoken (vv.19–22).

Meditation:

The attitude of the people of Judah toward the Lord’s word helps us look honestly into our own hearts. They claimed to seek God’s will, but in truth, they wanted God to approve their own will. They vowed to obey the Lord whether they liked His answer or not, but the moment He spoke a word they did not want to hear; they turned away. Fleeing to Egypt simply looked more advantageous to them. Even though they had witnessed every prophecy given through Jeremiah come to pass, they ignored the prophecy that seemed unfavorable to them. They were using God to meet their needs rather than fully submitting to His rule.

We, too, often say we desire to know the Lord’s will for our lives. But deep inside, we want God to understand our will. We want Him to allow what we want to do and to fulfill what we have already planned. We may sing, “I have decided to follow God’s will,” but in reality, we are praying, “Please allow me to live according to my own will.” We call God “Lord,” yet try to remain the master of our own lives, treating God as though He were a servant to fulfill our desires. No matter how clearly God’s will is revealed, if it does not align with our preferences, we turn away. We fail to realize that this is how we push away blessings and invite harm.

Prayer:

Lord, in the attitude of the people of Judah, we see our own reflection. Though we say we acknowledge Your absolute sovereignty, we resist surrendering our own. With our lips, we pray that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, but in our hearts, we hope for our own will to be fulfilled. We confess that this is the root of our unhappiness. O Lord, have mercy on us and lead us into full obedience. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God desires our honest and obedient hearts—not just words. The people of Judah said they wanted God’s will, but deep inside, they only wanted God to approve what they had already decided. God invites us to trust Him even when His way is different from what we want, because His way leads to life, protection, and blessing.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • When you ask someone for help (teachers, parents, or God), do you really want help, or do you want them to say “yes” to what you already decided?
  • Why is it hard to listen when someone—especially God—tells us something we don’t want to hear?
  • What is one way you can show God that you want to follow His way this week (at home, at school, or with friends)?
    
• Youth:
  • Can you think of a time when you prayed or made a decision, but deep down you only wanted God to agree with your plan? What made that moment difficult?
  • Why do you think God sometimes gives an answer that challenges our preferences or comfort? What might He be protecting us from?
  • What is one small area of your life—school stress, relationships, college/career worries—where you sense God inviting you to trust His way rather than your own?