1. I. Sad Background

2. Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse… 40:1-6, at last someone understood Jeremiah 40:7-16, Gedaliah (2 K.25:22-25) 41:1-10, Ishmael (royalty) 41:11-18, retreat to Egypt Treated prophet w. respect (1). Agreed w. God (3)

3. I. Sad Background II. Spiritual Potpourri

4. Some good traits Warned Gedaliah (41:40-41) Rescued Ishmael’s captives (41:41) Thought they should protect charges in Egypt (41:42)

5. Wouldn’t it be good if God supported our move? (Jer.42) Attitude: 1-3, realize need for God Unanimous ambitions: 1-5 Want to hear from God, 2 1 Sm.28 Want to do His will, 3 Jn.7:17 Want to do all His will, 5 The danger: Mt.21:23-27

6. Their great promises Will do all His will no matter how disagreeable, 6 Will do His will because it will make things better for them, 6

7. Self-deception: they confused… 1. Agreement and obedience, 42:3, 6. Mt.26:39; Ja.4:1-4; 1 Jn.5:14 2. Reason and faith, 42:12 3. Sincere ignorance and hypocrisy, 42:20-21 When a sincerely ignorant man learns truth, he will stop being ignorant, or stop being sincere. [19. Ac.17:11]

8. Self-deception: they confused… 1. Agreement and obedience, 3, 6 2. Reason and faith, 12 3. Sincere ignorance and hypocrisy, 42:20-21 4. Desire and guidance, 43:2. 5. Denial and discernment. 43:2-4. Unloving; human. 1 K.22:…8 6. Listening and acting, 43:4. 1 Jn.3:18 “God” is a power to recruit, not a Lord to obey Hb.5:8-9. 1 Jn.2:3-6

9. I. Sad Background II. Spiritual Potpourri III. Scary Applications

10. 1. Some just think they want Word of God 2. Some place their opinion above God’s revelation 3. Some say right words, do wrong things 4. God always has the last word. 43:8-13 “Thus saith the Lord”... “Thus saith the Lord... not!” Mt.15:9... Mt.19:9... Mk.16... Jn.17:17