Scripture Reading : Jeremiah 43
Theme : Flight to Egypt
Flight to Egypt (1-7).
After God forbids the remnant to go to Egypt, Johanan and other leaders immediately reject God’s command. They try to save face by diverting attention away from their previous vow to obey God’s words by focusing on Baruch’s deception. Jeremiah is an old man now and it is plausible that he can be manipulated by his secretary, Baruch. The rest of the remnant decides to listen to Johana instead of God. So they head for Egypt and force Jeremiah and Baruch to go too.
Judgement on the Remnant (8-13). The remnant wants to avoid death and war, but because they disobey God’s command, God promises to bring war and death to them. God promises to bring Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Egypt and destroy Egypt’s idols. History confirms the fulfillment of this prophecy when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt in 586 B.C.
Praying the Scripture
History always repeats itself because human nature does not change. The remnant did not learn from past mistakes. They keep relying on themselves in order to save themselves and to find safety and comfort. In so doing, they disobey God’s clear commands and ironically receives death and destruction, the very things they try to avoid. If only they would obey God, they would find safety and comfort. Pray that in all situations, you would trust and obey God even when you are afraid or do not understand your situation. God’s path is always the right path.
经文：耶利米书43
主题：逃往埃及
逃往埃及（1-7）。
在神禁止犹大余民往埃及后，约哈难与众首领断然拒绝神的命令。为了挽回面子，他们将主谋之罪推在巴录身上，以转移人对他们先前曾立下顺服神之誓约的关注。耶利米如今已年长，所以是有可能受巴录摆布的。余民决定听从约哈难而非神，因此他们前往埃及，并强迫耶利米与巴录同行。
对余民之审判（8-13）。犹大余民想要逃离死亡与争战，但由于他们不顺服神的命令，他们必受到神的刑罚：死亡与争战。神预言祂会用尼布甲尼撒攻击埃及，并拆毀埃及的廟宇和神像。历史证实此预言已应验；尼布甲尼撒确于公元前586年侵略埃及。
用经文祷告
因人类本性不变，历史总是反复重演。余民并没有从过去的错误中学习，他们继续依赖自己，试图自救，想自己寻得平安与慰籍。他们极力要逃避死亡和毁灭，甚至不惜悖逆神的命令，但最终所面对的就是死亡和毁灭。如果他们愿意顺服神，他们就能得到平安与慰籍了。祷告无论在任何处境，即便是感到惧怕或不理解当下的情况，你仍会信靠与顺服神。神的道路永远是正确的。
