Many followers of Jesus experience significant spiritual tension because they have never fully surrendered to Christ. To use certain biblical terminology, they have not "died to self", they have not truly offered their entire being, including their will as a "living sacrifice".
If we try to follow Christ, yet hold back in part, we will too often experience a "push - pull" tension in our spiritual life. We may truly want to please God. We know it is safest to do the will of God. We know that God's way is always best. We sincerely want to know and fulfill God's desire for our lives. All of this pushes us toward the joy of obedience to God.
But in certain situations - few or many - we know what action is pleasing to God, yet we hold back and fail to obey. We fear it will cost too much, it will be too painful, it will be very uncomfortable. In these cases, because we never have really, fully, settled the question of Who is in charge, we find ourselves pulling back. We are caught between the "push-pull".
I think this may be what is happening in Jeremiah 42 and 43. How else can you explain it? Judah had been over run by the powerful Babylonian army. Many thousands had been taken into exile far away in Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzer had appointed Gedeliah to rule over those Jews who remained in the land. However he had been assassinated by a few rebels. (Chapter 40)
Now the remnant were being led by a couple of army officers who were afraid the King would bring revenge on all of them because of the assassination. Wise action seems to dictate a retreat to the protection of Egypt, the second strongest nation at that time. But first they check in with Jeremiah. They want (push) to do the will of God. They want to know He will be protecting them.
So they promisee "Whether it is favourable or unfavourable, we will obey the Lord our God --- so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God." 42:6
Ten days later, Jeremiah has received God's direction and tells them what God says: "If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down ---. I will show you compassion so that he (Babylonian King) will have compassion on you and restore you to your land." 42:10 - 12 Jeremiah adds in very plain language "Do not go to Egypt." 42:13 - 22
They asked for God's direction and promised to do his will. Now ten days later they are clearly given God's will through the prophet. Sadly we read in chapter 43, that the strong pull overcomes any push to obey the will of God. It is risky, uncomfortable, dangerous It is not what they want to hear. Egypt looks like a safe destination; they don't want to remain in Palestine, vulnerable to Babylon.
So they accuse Jeremiah of lying. This can't be God's will for their lives. No, what they want to do (go to Egypt) must actually be what God wants them to do. In spite of all they promised when they approached Jeremiah, they ignore his words and his warnings. They round up all of the people, including Jeremiah, and leave Palestine for what they believe is the safety of Egypt.
We discover how fully surrendered we are to God - not when it is easy to do his apparent will - but when it goes against our natural inclination; when it is going to be costly. Obedience at the difficult moments really demonstrates we have "died with Christ" and are living His new life. (Romans 6:1 - 14)
Could you be wrestling with a "push - pull" right now? You know you should take initiative in restoring a broken relationship. It will be hard to offer an apology and/or forgiveness. You should become involved in that new ministry area, though you will find it uncomfortable. You know you should give more generously, but your desire for security is holding you back. "Push - pull." Who is truly in charge of your life?
If we try to follow Christ, yet hold back in part, we will too often experience a "push - pull" tension in our spiritual life. We may truly want to please God. We know it is safest to do the will of God. We know that God's way is always best. We sincerely want to know and fulfill God's desire for our lives. All of this pushes us toward the joy of obedience to God.
But in certain situations - few or many - we know what action is pleasing to God, yet we hold back and fail to obey. We fear it will cost too much, it will be too painful, it will be very uncomfortable. In these cases, because we never have really, fully, settled the question of Who is in charge, we find ourselves pulling back. We are caught between the "push-pull".
I think this may be what is happening in Jeremiah 42 and 43. How else can you explain it? Judah had been over run by the powerful Babylonian army. Many thousands had been taken into exile far away in Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzer had appointed Gedeliah to rule over those Jews who remained in the land. However he had been assassinated by a few rebels. (Chapter 40)
Now the remnant were being led by a couple of army officers who were afraid the King would bring revenge on all of them because of the assassination. Wise action seems to dictate a retreat to the protection of Egypt, the second strongest nation at that time. But first they check in with Jeremiah. They want (push) to do the will of God. They want to know He will be protecting them.
So they promisee "Whether it is favourable or unfavourable, we will obey the Lord our God --- so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God." 42:6
Ten days later, Jeremiah has received God's direction and tells them what God says: "If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down ---. I will show you compassion so that he (Babylonian King) will have compassion on you and restore you to your land." 42:10 - 12 Jeremiah adds in very plain language "Do not go to Egypt." 42:13 - 22
They asked for God's direction and promised to do his will. Now ten days later they are clearly given God's will through the prophet. Sadly we read in chapter 43, that the strong pull overcomes any push to obey the will of God. It is risky, uncomfortable, dangerous It is not what they want to hear. Egypt looks like a safe destination; they don't want to remain in Palestine, vulnerable to Babylon.
So they accuse Jeremiah of lying. This can't be God's will for their lives. No, what they want to do (go to Egypt) must actually be what God wants them to do. In spite of all they promised when they approached Jeremiah, they ignore his words and his warnings. They round up all of the people, including Jeremiah, and leave Palestine for what they believe is the safety of Egypt.
We discover how fully surrendered we are to God - not when it is easy to do his apparent will - but when it goes against our natural inclination; when it is going to be costly. Obedience at the difficult moments really demonstrates we have "died with Christ" and are living His new life. (Romans 6:1 - 14)
Could you be wrestling with a "push - pull" right now? You know you should take initiative in restoring a broken relationship. It will be hard to offer an apology and/or forgiveness. You should become involved in that new ministry area, though you will find it uncomfortable. You know you should give more generously, but your desire for security is holding you back. "Push - pull." Who is truly in charge of your life?
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