421 Then all the commanders of the forces , Johanan the son of Kareah , Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah , and all the people both small and great approached 2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet , "Please let our petition come before you, and pray for us to the Lord your God , that is for all this remnant ; because we are left but a few out of many , as your own eyes now see us, 3 that the Lord your God may tell us the way in which we should walk and the thing that we should do ." 4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, "I have heard you. Behold , I am going to pray to the Lord your God in accordance with your words ; and I will tell you the whole message which the Lord will answer you. I will not keep back a word from you." 5 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. 6 "Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant , we will listen to the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us when we listen to the voice of the Lord our God ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 42:1-6
Commentary on Jeremiah 42:1-6
(Read Jeremiah 42:1-6)
To serve a turn, Jeremiah is sought out, and the captains ask for his assistance. In every difficult, doubtful case, we must look to God for direction; and we may still, in faith, pray to be guided by a spirit of wisdom in our hearts, and the leadings of Providence. We do not truly desire to know the mind of God, if we do not fully resolve to comply with it when we know it. Many promise to do what the Lord requires, while they hope to have their pride flattered, and their favourite lusts spared. Yet something betrays the state of their hearts.