Jeremiah 43:3

Commentary on Jeremiah 43:3 (KJV)

Jeremiah 43:3 captures a pivotal moment of defiance and blame-shifting by the remnant of Judah following the fall of Jerusalem. This verse reveals the deep-seated fear and rebellion in the hearts of the people who had just sought God's counsel through Jeremiah but were unwilling to accept His difficult answer.

Context

This verse is spoken by Johanan and other military commanders, representing the Jewish remnant who remained in Judah after the Babylonian conquest and the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon. Fearing Babylonian retribution, they approached Jeremiah, asking him to inquire of the Lord whether they should flee to Egypt or remain in the land. After ten days, God delivered His clear command through Jeremiah: stay in Judah, and He would protect them; go to Egypt, and they would perish by sword, famine, and pestilence. Instead of obeying, they accused Jeremiah and his scribe, Baruch, of malicious intent.

Their accusation in this verse is a direct rejection of God's clear warning given in Jeremiah 42:19-22, where the Lord explicitly stated the consequences of their disobedience. The people's fear of the Chaldeans (Babylonians) was real, but their unwillingness to trust God's protective hand led them to seek their own perceived safety in Egypt.

Key Themes

• Rejection of Divine Counsel: The people had asked for God's word, but when it did not align with their desires or fears, they refused to accept it. This highlights a common human tendency to seek confirmation for pre-determined decisions rather than genuine guidance.
• Blame-Shifting and Accusation: Instead of taking responsibility for their own fear and disobedience, the remnant unjustly accused Baruch, and by extension Jeremiah, of manipulating the divine message. This act of blaming others for inconvenient truths is a significant theme throughout biblical history, echoing even the Garden of Eden.
• Fear vs. Faith: Their decision was driven by intense fear of the Chaldeans and the perceived dangers of remaining in Judah, rather than faith in God's promise to protect them if they obeyed. Their fear ultimately led them away from God's will and into greater peril, as seen in the subsequent events described in Jeremiah 44.
• The Integrity of God's Messengers: This verse underscores the challenges faced by prophets like Jeremiah and his faithful scribe, Baruch (see Jeremiah 36:4), who delivered unpopular divine messages. They were often met with suspicion, hostility, and false accusations.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "setteth thee on against us" (Hebrew: הֲמֵסִית אֹתְךָ עָלֵינוּ, hame'sith ot'kha 'aleinu) implies that Baruch was inciting or instigating Jeremiah to deliver a message that would be detrimental to them. It suggests a deliberate act of manipulation or provocation. This accusation reveals their belief that Jeremiah's message was not from God but was a human plot, designed to lead them to destruction at the hands of the "Chaldeans," the common term for the Babylonians, the dominant superpower of that era.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 43:3 serves as a powerful reminder of the human tendency to resist uncomfortable truths and to blame others when God's will does not align with our desires or fears. When faced with difficult choices or divine instructions that challenge our comfort zones, we must:

1. Examine Our Hearts: Are we truly seeking God's will, or are we just looking for divine affirmation of our own plans?
2. Resist Blame-Shifting: When confronted with truth or consequences, do we accept responsibility, or do we accuse the messenger or circumstances?
3. Choose Faith Over Fear: In times of uncertainty, trusting in God's sovereign protection and guidance, even when it seems counter-intuitive, is crucial. The remnant's fear-driven decision led them to the very destruction they sought to avoid.

This verse challenges believers to truly listen to God's word and to obey, even when it demands stepping out in faith and relinquishing personal control or perceived security.