Chapter 42: The Remnant’s Choice – Trust in G‑d or Flight to Mitzrayim

(22 Pesukim)

1. The Request: (42:1–6)

• The officers of the army from the smallest to the greatest, led by Yochanan ben Kareach and Yezanya son of Hoshaya, and all the people approach Yirmiyahu the prophet.
• They asked him to pray to G‑d on their behalf and promise to obey whatever G‑d commands—whether good or difficult.
• The prophet Yeremiah responded: I have received and acknowledged your request. Accordingly, I will pray to the Lord your G-d on your behalf. I will seek His response to your inquiry, and I assure you that I will convey whatever answer the Lord provides; nothing will be withheld from you.
• They stated to Yeremiah: “May the Lord serve as a true and faithful witness against us should we fail to act according to all that the Lord your God conveys to you on our behalf.” Whether good or bad, we will heed the voice of the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will be good for us, as we will heed the voice of the Lord our God.

2. G‑d’s Response: (42:7–12)

After ten days, Yirmiyahu received a prophecy from Hashem and delivered the following message to Yochanan son of Kare’ah and all the captains of the soldiers who were with him, and to all the people from the smallest to the greatest:

• Remain in the Land: So said the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to pour your supplication before Him: If the remnant stays in Eretz Yisrael, G‑d will protect them, rebuild them, and show mercy as He has reconsidered the evil that He did to you.
• Don’t fear Bavel: They should not fear the king of Bavel; G‑d will save them and grant them favor in his eyes, and he will return you to the land.

3. The Warning: (42:13–22)

Hashem continues and says, if they choose to not dwell in this land, so as not to heed the voice of Hashem, and instead flee to Mitzrayim (Egypt) for safety and food, then the very dangers they fear—war, famine, and pestilence—will follow them there.

• G‑d warns that His wrath will come upon them in Mitzrayim, and they will perish. The sword you fear will ultimately reach you in the land of Egypt, and the famine you are concerned about will follow you there; both will result in your demise in Egypt.

• This statement pertains to those individuals who have deliberately chosen to relocate to Egypt. They will face death by sword, famine, and pestilence, with no remaining survivors, as a consequence of the adverse circumstances that will befall them.

• So says Hashem, the God of Israel, the consequences for the inhabitants upon arrival in Egypt will mirror those experienced by the residents of Jerusalem due to divine wrath and anger. This outcome will serve as a reference point for misfortune, frequently cited by others, resulting in astonishment, reproach, and dishonor. It is indicated that there will be no return to Judah, and any self-imposed exile to Egypt would result in an undignified death.
• Yirmiyahu rebukes the people for hypocrisy: they asked for G‑d’s guidance but refuse to obey it. Be advised that individuals who choose to relocate to this area may face significant risks including conflict, food shortages, and disease.