They make a profound oath of obedience to the LORD through His prophet.
In this passage, the remnant of Judah makes a solemn promise to the prophet Jeremiah. They declare, “Then they said to Jeremiah, ‘May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with the whole message with which the LORD your God will send you to us’” (v.5). Jeremiah, who prophesied around 627-582 BC, stands at a pivotal moment after the fall of Jerusalem. The people have come to him seeking the LORD’s direction about their future, unsure if they should flee to Egypt or stay in their ravaged homeland. By invoking the LORD as a “true and faithful witness,” the people publicly express their willingness to accept both guidance and accountability, suggesting they understand the seriousness of their request and the gravity of their commitment.
When they say, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us” (v.5), they are effectively placing themselves under a divine oath. In the ancient Near East, an oath was a binding declaration that brought severe consequences upon those who broke it. This commitment to heed God’s instructions through Jeremiah resonates with the broader biblical theme that one’s words must be honored (Matthew 5:37). The people are pledging to align their choices with whatever message the Lord reveals, recognizing that disobedience would invite divine judgment.
The phrase, “the whole message with which the LORD your God will send you to us” (v.5), underscores the people’s acknowledgment that they do not want a partial revelation or a convenient compromise, but rather the unfiltered will of the LORD. They promise absolute obedience, reflecting the idea found elsewhere in Scripture that devotion to God is total, not selective (John 14:15). In making such a vow, the remnant binds itself to trust God’s direction explicitly and to walk in faith, even if the outcome is uncertain.
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Jeremiah 42:5 meaning
In this passage, the remnant of Judah makes a solemn promise to the prophet Jeremiah. They declare, “Then they said to Jeremiah, ‘May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with the whole message with which the LORD your God will send you to us’” (v.5). Jeremiah, who prophesied around 627-582 BC, stands at a pivotal moment after the fall of Jerusalem. The people have come to him seeking the LORD’s direction about their future, unsure if they should flee to Egypt or stay in their ravaged homeland. By invoking the LORD as a “true and faithful witness,” the people publicly express their willingness to accept both guidance and accountability, suggesting they understand the seriousness of their request and the gravity of their commitment.
When they say, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us” (v.5), they are effectively placing themselves under a divine oath. In the ancient Near East, an oath was a binding declaration that brought severe consequences upon those who broke it. This commitment to heed God’s instructions through Jeremiah resonates with the broader biblical theme that one’s words must be honored (Matthew 5:37). The people are pledging to align their choices with whatever message the Lord reveals, recognizing that disobedience would invite divine judgment.
The phrase, “the whole message with which the LORD your God will send you to us” (v.5), underscores the people’s acknowledgment that they do not want a partial revelation or a convenient compromise, but rather the unfiltered will of the LORD. They promise absolute obedience, reflecting the idea found elsewhere in Scripture that devotion to God is total, not selective (John 14:15). In making such a vow, the remnant binds itself to trust God’s direction explicitly and to walk in faith, even if the outcome is uncertain.