The Bible Says
Jeremiah 42:1-6 Meaning

In the beginning of Jeremiah 42, Then all the commanders of the forces, Johanan the son of Kareah, Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even to the greatest approached (v. 1). We see a united group seeking guidance from the prophet Jeremiah. Their unity highlights the gravity of the situation following the turmoil of Jerusalem’s fall in 586 BC. Johanan the son of Kareah, serving as a Judean leader in the aftermath of this upheaval, steps forward at a time when confusion abounds—a critical juncture in Judah’s history. With Babylon having overthrown the kingdom, the people look for a firm word from God to direct their next steps.

Jeremiah 42:1 reveals the importance of collective action in the face of uncertainty. These commanders had recently witnessed devastating events, and many likely felt fear, anger, and regret. Yet, in their desperation, they remembered the authority of Jeremiah, who had been prophesying for decades (beginning around 627 BC). His steadfast presence, even after Jerusalem’s destruction, gave them hope that the LORD’s counsel could still rescue them from further disaster.

Their approach also reveals the people’s desire for divine wisdom rather than self-reliance. The gathering of those of every rank and status signifies that spiritual direction was not limited to any single class. All understood that God alone—working through His prophet—could bring clarity. In the midst of this fractured nation, everyone recognized the need for consistent, God-ordained leadership.

Continuing in Jeremiah 42:2, the leaders approached, 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 eyes now see us," (v. 2). They openly acknowledge their frailty. They see themselves as a small group—survivors surrounded by potential dangers from foreign powers like Babylon or from their own uncertain leadership. By addressing Jeremiah as the prophet, they affirm his office and his proven track record of delivering the LORD’s messages.

They specifically request prayer on their behalf, noting that they are a remnant—an important theme repeated in Scripture when God preserves a faithful few (2 Kings 19:30-31, Isaiah 10:20-21). This remnant language highlights God’s mercy, as it implies that not all is lost despite national catastrophe. Their words invite us to see that true hope rests in a relationship with the LORD, who neither abandons His people nor forsakes His promises.

The phrase, "as your eyes now see us" (v. 2), shows that Jeremiah himself can witness their diminished numbers. What began as a populous kingdom in Judah had been reduced by conquest, exile, and domestic strife. Yet, by humbly coming to God’s prophet, they model a posture that believers in every age can emulate: dependence and trust rather than pride and autonomy.

They continue in Jeremiah 42:3 requesting prayer, "that the LORD your God may tell us the way in which we should walk and the thing that we should do" (v. 3), making their appeal for precise instruction. Rather than seeking generic comfort, they want clear direction for their immediate choices. In the biblical context, walking in the way denotes living in obedience and fellowship with God, aligning life’s path with His covenant will.

This humble request is a profound display of openness. It suggests a willingness to surrender personal preferences to whatever God says, a posture that is repeatedly commended in Scripture. Their question echoes familiar biblical themes of seeking the LORD’s judgment when the path forward is uncertain—even paralleled in the New Testament by those who sought Jesus’ teaching for the way of life (Matthew 7:14).

Moreover, they do not limit their inquiry to religious observances alone but want guidance for their entire journey—spiritual, political, and communal. They have realized that without God’s counsel, their plans might crumble. This readiness to receive God’s plan lays the foundation for a potential shift toward greater reliance on the LORD, a theme that runs throughout Jeremiah’s entire ministry.

In response, we read that, 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" (v. 4). Jeremiah commits to faithfully deliver God’s direction, withholding nothing that the LORD reveals. His words and actions express the role of a prophet who is beholden to God first and foremost, rather than seeking to appease popular opinion.

Jeremiah, who began prophesying during the reign of King Josiah (about 627 BC) and continued through multiple tumultuous reigns, has repeatedly faced opposition and persecution. Yet here, he remains resolute in championing the LORD’s truth. This stance demonstrates both his obedience to God and his genuine care for the remnant that remains. He shows no animosity or reluctance, despite the people’s previous disregard of his warnings prior to Jerusalem’s fall.

The phrase, "I will not keep back a word" (v. 40), reinforces the integrity of God’s messages. Jeremiah assures them that if the people are sincere, they will receive the clear, unabridged counsel of the Almighty. For modern readers, this highlights God’s readiness to speak truth through reliable messengers and reminds us to cherish the full counsel of the LORD without picking and choosing only the parts that please us.

Then comes the people’s assurance: 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" (v. 5). They bind themselves with a solemn vow, invoking the LORD as an impartial witness. Their statement reveals a recognition of God’s omniscience—He sees not only deeds but also the hearts behind them.

By calling the LORD to be a true and faithful witness (v. 5), they align themselves with a covenant—like formula, as though this were a contract with God. Ancient Near Eastern culture often sealed agreements with oaths before a deity, emphasizing the seriousness of keeping one’s word. In this instance, it underscores that their commitment is not a light statement but a pledge of lifelong fidelity to divine instruction.

Jeremiah 42:5 encourages us to reflect on the weight of making promises before God. It underlines that religious confessions should not come from fleeting emotion but from genuine conviction. If they fail to obey the divine directive once it is given, they acknowledge in advance that the LORD would justly confront them.

Finally, we see their concluding pledge in Jeremiah 42:6, "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" (v. 6). In these words, the people commit themselves to unconditional obedience. They declare they will follow God’s word, even if the divine instruction challenges their preferences or comfort.

This statement marks a step of faith. By stating "whether it is pleasant or unpleasant" (v. 6), they affirm that trusting in God means submission to His will no matter the outcome. With a broken nation all around them, they grasp that ignoring the LORD’s command only leads to deeper disaster. Conversely, listening to Him can bring restoration and blessing, offering hope for the future.

Embedded in this commitment is a universal truth: dedication to God’s direction transcends circumstances. This willingness recalls Jesus’ teaching that those who hear His words and act on them are like the wise man building on solid rock (Matthew 7:24). Here the people vow to establish their newfound path on God’s revealed instruction, paving the way for potential renewal.