Even if on the outside the people looked humble and sincere, desiring to know the will of God for them, and promised to do it whether good or bad, we quickly learn that this was only a show, as they already had decided in their hearts what they wanted to do. Outwardly it seemed they had a very good disposition when they asked Jeremiah to pray to God so that He would show them the way they should go, and the thing they should do.

Well, after 10 days of waiting—probably just the amount of time required to make the hearts of all manifest themselves—Jeremiah tells them to stay in the country, presents them the promises of the Lord in this regard, and warns them very strongly against going into Egypt. Not only did they not listen but they said that Jeremiah was lying and that it was a conspiracy. And so they went down into Egypt, and the face of the Lord was against them. Things get even more dramatic in Jeremiah 44, as what truly was in their hearts is openly manifested.

These sad events may serve as an important lesson for us. As we wait for the soon return of our Lord Jesus, may it be that what others see of us—believers and unbelievers alike—be true of our spiritual state and heart’s disposition, so that what we profess is true, not mere lip service. Let us flee from mere religious appearance of doing God’s will while in fact secretly or brazenly doing whatever feels right in our eyes. May we be truly among “those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22). Doing so will always be for our true blessing, and will always be for the glory of God, whatever the state of things may be all around us.