God warned the remnant of Judah who remained in their land not to seek refuge in Egypt; they would be punished if they do so. They would prosper if they remain in the land of Judah. God spoke through Jeremiah and said,
“If you will still remain in this land, then I will build you and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pluck you up. For I relent concerning the disaster that I have brought upon you. Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,’ says the Lord, ‘for I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand. And I will show you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and cause you to return to your own land.’ “But if you say, ‘We will not dwell in this land,’ disobeying the voice of the Lord your God, saying, ‘No, but we will go to the land of Egypt where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor be hungry for bread, and there we will dwell’— Then hear now the word of the Lord, O remnant of Judah! Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘If you wholly set your faces to enter Egypt, and go to dwell there, then it shall be that the sword which you feared shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt; the famine of which you were afraid shall follow close after you there in Egypt, and there you shall die” (Jeremiah 42:10-16).
Lesson:
God required his children to be humble and accept correction in good faith. We are expected to follow instructions; respond to corrections whenever we make mistakes, and make the necessary amendments. Children of God are not expected to be boastful of their wrongdoing, but be remorseful and turn a new leaf. Our ever gracious God is interested in our repentance; he loves to see us walking within his plans so that he can shower his goodness on us. If we meet the Creator’s expectations, he will bless us in due time, and raise our banner in honor.
Prayer:
Dear God, please give me a humble heart to admit mistakes and make the necessary corrections. Give me the strength to be submissive to your instructions and duly follow them, so that I can prosper in the land of the living. Let me remain under your watchful eyes, and make me ever qualify for your blessings. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.
