1. Flight in fear (41:16-42:6)

Johanan became the leader of the remnant. He had tried to help Gedaliah, but had failed. But he had also opposed the Babylonians. Now, he feared reprisal because of the assassination of Gedaliah. Some Babylonian soldiers had also been killed. He decided to gather the remnant of people left in Judah and flee to Egypt. They asked Jeremiah to pray to God for direction and wisdom. They said that they would do whatever God told them to do.

2. Do not go to Egypt (42:7-22)

Jeremiah prayed for ten days, and the word of the Lord came to him. The answer he received was not what Johanan and the others wanted. God said, 'Don't go to Egypt. Stay in this land; don't fear the Babylonians.' He also warned them that if they went to Egypt to escape war and famine, both war and famine would find them there. If they were not going to obey, it would have been better not to ask.

Application: Lord, help me to obey you no matter how much I dislike what you command.
One Word: Seek God's will and obey it