The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 42:19-22
Carnal predispositions. I. THEY ARE THE GREAT SOURCES OF UNREALITY IN RELIGION . In sending Jeremiah to God they did not mean what they said. There was no honest willingness to do as the prophet might reveal. The only hope for them in their forlorn condition is thus tampered with and destroyed. It is possible that at first they may have meant well, but as they proceeded with their inquiry through the prophet they must have known that they had only one intention, which... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 42:19
Contradictory requirements. The Jews were here required not to flee into Egypt. Joseph was warned by an angel in a dream to "arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt" ( Matthew 2:13 ). The Scriptures represent both commands as coming from God. Yet they are contradictory. This is but one instance of a discrepancy often to be met with. Let us consider the meaning of it. I. DIVINE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE OUTWARDLY CONTRADICTORY AND YET CONSISTENT ... read more