Jeremiah 44–46: I don’t guess I thought a lot about the Children of Israel fleeing back into Egypt to avoid the Babylonians. God told them it was not going to go well and they did it anyway. How often do we look for a way of escape all the while God is telling us that it is not a good idea. We hear Him, but it seems the only clear path is to retreat. Things had worked out so poorly the first time they fled to Egypt I can’t imagine thinking the outcome would be any better this time. Maybe it was because they thought captivity to Egypt would be better than captivity to Babylon. What they did not know is that God was in control even in Babylon and He had a plan. To run into the arms of evil captors did not make sense, but if God was in it, it was a much better place to be than in Egypt. Their home land was in shambles and now they were bringing the same enemies with them to Egypt.
God is speaking over us, listen, “I have a plan. You may not be able to figure it out, but it is a plan for good not evil.” It all goes back to knowing we can trust God even when we can’t always trust where He is sending us. These are hard things to grasp, but walking with Jesus is not always down the easy paths. The thing to remember is we can always trust Him even when difficulties line our path.
One more thought, the captivity to Babylon came as a result of sin. To prevent captivity obedience is the only answer and way. What a great reminder to all of us. Stay close to the Father and clean before Him.