Jeremiah 43

Chapter Summary

After Jeremiah's warning in Jeremiah 42, the remnant of Judah decides to disobey God's command and flee to Egypt, taking Jeremiah and Baruch with them. In Jeremiah 43:1-7, Jeremiah prophesies that Nebuchadnezzar will conquer Egypt and punish the Jews for their disobedience. The chapter concludes with Jeremiah's symbolic action of hiding stones in the brick pavement near the temple of the sun god in Tahpanhes, signifying the coming conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar. Key verses such as Jeremiah 43:2 and Jeremiah 43:7 highlight the Jews' refusal to listen to God's prophet and their subsequent punishment.

Context for the Chapter

Jeremiah 43 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Jeremiah, which records the prophet's ministry to the nation of Judah during the 7th and 6th centuries BC. The chapter is a continuation of the story in Jeremiah 42, where the remnant of Judah seeks Jeremiah's guidance on whether to flee to Egypt. The chapter's events are also connected to the larger biblical narrative, as they foreshadow the coming conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar and the eventual return of the Jews to their homeland. The historical context of the chapter is rooted in the Babylonian exile, where the Jews are struggling to come to terms with their new reality and are seeking guidance on how to navigate their circumstances.

Heart Application

This chapter serves as a warning to trust in God's sovereignty and obey His commands, rather than relying on our own strength and wisdom. As believers, we must be careful not to disobey God's word and instead seek to obey His will, even when it is difficult or challenging. By trusting in God's providence and obeying His commands, we can have confidence in His love and care for us, and avoid the consequences of disobedience.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

This chapter is about the Jews' decision to disobey God's command and flee to Egypt, despite Jeremiah's warning. As seen in Jeremiah 43:1-7, the consequences of their disobedience are severe, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and obeying His commands. The chapter serves as a warning to believers to obey God's word and trust in His providence, rather than relying on their own strength and wisdom.

Voices from the Church

“The rebellious spirit that leads men to disobey God's commands is a spirit that will ultimately lead to destruction. As seen in Jeremiah 43:2, the Jews' refusal to listen to God's prophet and obey His commands leads to severe consequences, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The prophet Jeremiah's words serve as a reminder that God's sovereignty extends over all nations and that His will will ultimately be accomplished, as seen in Jeremiah 43:8-13. This theme is central to the gospel of Christ, where God's sovereignty is revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. Introduction (Jeremiah 43:1-7) — The remnant of Judah decides to disobey God's command and flee to Egypt, despite Jeremiah's warning. This introduction sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, highlighting the Jews' rebellious attitude and the consequences of their disobedience.
2. Jeremiah's Prophecy (Jeremiah 43:8-13) — Jeremiah prophesies that Nebuchadnezzar will conquer Egypt and punish the Jews for their disobedience, highlighting God's sovereignty over all nations. This prophecy serves as a reminder of the importance of obeying God's commands and trusting in His providence.
3. The Symbolic Action (Jeremiah 43:8-13) — Jeremiah performs a symbolic action by hiding stones in the brick pavement near the temple of the sun god in Tahpanhes, signifying the coming conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar. This action highlights God's sovereignty and the importance of obeying His commands.
4. Conclusion (Jeremiah 43:13) — The chapter concludes with Jeremiah's prophecy and symbolic action, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and obeying His commands. The conclusion serves as a warning to believers to obey God's word and trust in His providence, rather than relying on their own strength and wisdom.
5. Application (Jeremiah 43:1-13) — The chapter serves as a warning to trust in God's sovereignty and obey His commands, rather than relying on our own strength and wisdom. As believers, we must be careful not to disobey God's word and instead seek to obey His will, even when it is difficult or challenging.

Core Doctrines

Sovereignty of God

The chapter demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations, including Egypt, as seen in Jeremiah 43:8-13. This doctrine is central to the gospel of Christ, where God's sovereignty is revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Importance of Obedience

The chapter highlights the importance of obeying God's commands, as seen in Jeremiah 43:1-7. The Jews' disobedience leads to severe consequences, emphasizing the need to trust in God's sovereignty and obey His word.

Consequences of Disobedience

The chapter serves as a warning to trust in God's sovereignty and obey His commands, rather than relying on our own strength and wisdom. As seen in Jeremiah 43:2, the Jews' refusal to listen to God's prophet and obey His commands leads to severe consequences, highlighting the importance of obeying God's word.

Providence of God

The chapter demonstrates God's providence over historical events, as seen in Jeremiah 43:8-13. God's control over the rise and fall of empires serves as a reminder of His power and authority, emphasizing the importance of trusting in His providence.

Lessons from Jeremiah 43

1. The Importance of Obedience — The chapter highlights the importance of obeying God's commands, as seen in Jeremiah 43:1-7. The Jews' disobedience leads to severe consequences, emphasizing the need to trust in God's sovereignty and obey His word.
2. The Danger of Disobedience — The chapter serves as a warning to trust in God's sovereignty and obey His commands, rather than relying on our own strength and wisdom. As seen in Jeremiah 43:2, the Jews' refusal to listen to God's prophet and obey His commands leads to severe consequences, highlighting the importance of obeying God's word.
3. The Sovereignty of God — The chapter demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations, including Egypt, as seen in Jeremiah 43:8-13. This doctrine is central to the gospel of Christ, where God's sovereignty is revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
4. The Importance of Trusting in God's Providence — The chapter demonstrates God's providence over historical events, as seen in Jeremiah 43:8-13. God's control over the rise and fall of empires serves as a reminder of His power and authority, emphasizing the importance of trusting in His providence.
5. The Consequences of Disobedience — The chapter serves as a warning to trust in God's sovereignty and obey His commands, rather than relying on our own strength and wisdom. As seen in Jeremiah 43:2, the Jews' refusal to listen to God's prophet and obey His commands leads to severe consequences, highlighting the importance of obeying God's word.

Themes from Jeremiah 43

1. Disobedience and Its Consequences — The chapter highlights the importance of obeying God's commands, as seen in Jeremiah 43:1-7. The Jews' disobedience leads to severe consequences, emphasizing the need to trust in God's sovereignty and obey His word.
2. God's Sovereignty — The chapter demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations, including Egypt, as seen in Jeremiah 43:8-13. This doctrine is central to the gospel of Christ, where God's sovereignty is revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
3. The Importance of Trusting in God's Providence — The chapter demonstrates God's providence over historical events, as seen in Jeremiah 43:8-13. God's control over the rise and fall of empires serves as a reminder of His power and authority, emphasizing the importance of trusting in His providence.
4. The Danger of Self-Reliance — The chapter serves as a warning to trust in God's sovereignty and obey His commands, rather than relying on our own strength and wisdom. As seen in Jeremiah 43:2, the Jews' refusal to listen to God's prophet and obey His commands leads to severe consequences, highlighting the importance of obeying God's word.
5. The Importance of Obedience — The chapter highlights the importance of obeying God's commands, as seen in Jeremiah 43:1-7. The Jews' disobedience leads to severe consequences, emphasizing the need to trust in God's sovereignty and obey His word.

Questions for Meditation

1. What can we learn from the Jews' decision to disobey God's command and flee to Egypt?
2. How does Jeremiah's prophecy in Jeremiah 43:8-13 relate to the larger biblical narrative?
3. What is the significance of Jeremiah's symbolic action in Jeremiah 43:8-13?
4. How can we apply the lesson of trusting in God's sovereignty and obeying His commands to our own lives?
5. What are some potential consequences of disobeying God's word, and how can we avoid them?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Jeremiah 43

	Sermon	Description
	From the Captivity of the Ten Tribes to the First Year of Cyrus by Flavius Josephus	Flavius Josephus recounts the tragic events that led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of the Israelites. From the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians to the appo
	Jeremiah 43:7 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith discusses the tragic return of the Israelites to Egypt, a place of bondage from which they had been delivered by God. He emphasizes that fear and disobedience led them
	Jeremiah 43 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith discusses the theme of returning to Egypt, emphasizing the spiritual degeneration that leads people to forget their history and the lessons learned from it. He highligh

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Jeremiah 43

In this chapter, we see the sad spectacle of a people who have been warned by God's prophet to stay in the land, but instead choose to flee to Egypt, trusting in their own strength and wisdom rather than in God's providence. Matthew Henry notes that this is a common temptation, to trust in the arm of flesh rather than in the arm of God. The chapter serves as a warning to trust in God's sovereignty and obey His commands, rather than relying on our own strength and wisdom. As Henry notes, 'those who will not be warned by the word of God shall be judged by the rod of God.' The chapter highlights the importance of obeying God's commands and trusting in His providence, which is a central theme in the gospel of Christ. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?