Jeremiah 42:6

Whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.

Whether it be good {H2896}, or whether it be evil {H7451}, we will obey {H8085} the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}, to whom we {H580} send {H7971} thee; that it may be well {H3190} with us, when we obey {H8085} the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}.

Whether it be good or bad, we will listen to what ADONAI our God says. We are dispatching you to him so that things will go well with us, as we heed what ADONAI our God says."

Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us, for we will obey the voice of the LORD our God!”

Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of Jehovah our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of Jehovah our God.

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Commentary

Jeremiah 42:6 captures a pivotal moment of declared intent by the remnant of Judah to obey God's voice, no matter the perceived outcome. This verse stands as a powerful statement of commitment, yet it is also tinged with dramatic irony given the subsequent events in Jeremiah's narrative.

Context of Jeremiah 42:6

Following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, a fearful remnant of Judah's population remained in the land. Led by Johanan, they feared further retribution from the Babylonians and considered fleeing to Egypt. Before making a decision, they approached the prophet Jeremiah, asking him to inquire of the LORD on their behalf. Jeremiah 42:6 records their solemn pledge to accept and obey whatever word God would give them through him, whether it seemed "good" or "evil" to them personally. Their stated motivation was their belief that obedience to God's voice would ensure their well-being.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unconditional Obedience: The verse highlights a promise of absolute surrender to God's will. The phrase "Whether it be good, or whether it be evil" signifies a commitment to obey even if God's instruction runs contrary to their desires, comfort, or perceived safety.
  • Seeking Divine Guidance: The remnant's act of sending Jeremiah to inquire of the LORD demonstrates an understanding of the need for divine direction in times of crisis. They recognized Jeremiah as God's appointed messenger.
  • The Link Between Obedience and Well-being: Their concluding statement, "that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God," articulates a fundamental biblical principle. They understood that God's commands are for our good and that blessing flows from alignment with His will.
  • The Irony of Human Promises: Though noble in its declaration, this verse serves as a stark contrast to their subsequent disobedience recorded in Jeremiah 43. Despite their solemn oath, they ultimately rejected God's direct command through Jeremiah to remain in Judah, choosing instead to go to Egypt. This highlights the human tendency to promise obedience when seeking answers, but to struggle with faithfulness when the answer is difficult.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "good" (Χ˜Χ•Χ‘ - tov) and "evil" (Χ¨Χ’ - ra) in this context do not primarily refer to moral good and evil, but rather to what is perceived as favorable, beneficial, or pleasant versus what is difficult, undesirable, or harmful from a human perspective. They are promising to obey regardless of whether God's command seems advantageous or disadvantageous to their immediate situation.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 42:6 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Seek God's Will Sincerely: Like the remnant, we should earnestly seek God's guidance through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel, especially in uncertain times.
  • Commit to Unconditional Obedience: True faith involves a willingness to obey God's commands even when they don't align with our preferences, plans, or understanding. It requires trusting that God's way is always best, even if it feels "evil" or difficult in the moment.
  • Recognize the Blessings of Obedience: The promise "that it may be well with us" underscores the truth that God's commands are not burdensome but are pathways to peace, security, and true flourishing. Our well-being is intrinsically linked to our obedience to the LORD.
  • Guard Against Self-Deception: This verse also serves as a cautionary tale. It is easy to declare our intention to obey God when we are seeking His direction, but the real test comes when His answer challenges our comfort or preconceived notions. We must continually rely on God's grace to fulfill our promises of obedience.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 7:23

    But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

  • Deuteronomy 5:29

    O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

  • Deuteronomy 5:33

    Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and [that it may be] well with you, and [that] ye may prolong [your] days in the land which ye shall possess.

  • Romans 8:7

    Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

  • Deuteronomy 6:2

    That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

  • Deuteronomy 6:3

    Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do [it]; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

  • Joshua 24:24

    And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.
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