Jeremiah 40-42 The Error In Trying To Get God To Approve What We've Already Decided

Those who'd remained in the land had been told by God to submit to Babylonian rule so that it would go well with them.  Yet "they repeated the very sins that had led to the collapse of the nation and the destruction of the city.  They wouldn't listen to the Word; they turned to Egypt for help, and they worshiped idols," my commentary said.

Jeremiah was invited to live with the Babylonian captain who'd freed him from chains.  But he was a shepherd to the people and wanted to live among his flock.  He took up the captain's offer to live with the newly appointed governor of the land, Gedaliah, who'd "told the people exactly what Jeremiah had been telling them for many years.  Serve the Babylonians and you will live safely in the land."

Johanan, a concerned Jewish captain, heard about a plot to assassinate the governor and warned him, but the governor refused to believe it.  Ishmael was the assassin's name and he and his ten men killed the governor and his men, then killed 70 of 80 Jewish pilgrims returning to the land to worship.  Johanan managed to save those ten pilgrims, but Ishmael escaped.  Johanan then asked Jeremiah to find God's will for them, hoping with insincere hearts that Jeremiah would tell them to go live in Egypt.  But God had already told them Egypt was not an option.  Jeremiah warned them again not to disobey the Lord by moving to Egypt.  The disasters they were escaping would only follow them there.  

Finally, Jeremiah exposed their hearts, announcing publicly their deception and lack of desire to obey God.  "They wanted the Lord to approve what they had already decided to do ... This event is a warning to us not to be insincere as we seek the will of God," my commentary said.

Father, I'm seeking Your will right now in several areas.  i need Your answers and I want to obey.  Remove any insincerity from my heart.  I don't want You to simply approve what I decide to do without Your blessing.  I want You to guide me and direct me to the decision You've already made.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford