1. God tries to help his people obey his word (1-6)

Johanan, his army and the people he was escorting to Egypt stopped to speak to Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord. They sounded so sincere. They asked for Jeremiah to pray for them. They made a vow that they would obey the direction that God revealed to Jeremiah. This was an effort by God to help these people, guided by fear, to change their direction, stay and submit to the Babylonians.

2. God gives direction to those who pray (7-22)

These people sounded so sincere. But their hearts were deceived. After ten days of prayer, Jeremiah revealed to them the will of God. If they stayed in the land they would be blessed. If they escaped to Egypt there would be sword, famine and plague. Their choice was very clear. God wanted them to stay and trust him. This would require faith in God. Now, what would they choose?