INSANITY

The best of the best of Judah have been transported to Babylon where they will be profitable to and for Babylon.  The very poor, a remnant of people, has been left in Jerusalem to work the fields and to keep the area from being further destroyed by animals moving into the city, and allowing it to become further destroyed by "rack and ruin".  Jeremiah has chosen to stay with the remnant in Jerusalem.  In spite of warnings about leaving Jerusalem to go to Egypt, many have fled anyway.  The remnant is weary after the siege, and are experiencing the aftermath of famine and a major food shortage.  They determine that a change of place, Egypt, will be more advantageous and productive to them.

In a final attempt, the remnant is warned again NOT to leave Judah...to stay and work the fields, continue family life, yet be under the rule and reign of Babylon, but be safe.  Their reply, "We will not listen to the message you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord!  We will certainly do everything we said we would: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and will pour out drink offering to her just as we and our father, our kings and our officials did in the town of Judea and in the streets of Jerusalem.  At that time we had plenty of food and were well off and suffered no harm."  Jeremiah 44:18. Jeremiah even goes to Egypt to preach to the remnant who have disobediently gone there.  Oh my goodness, they still have not figured out what led the Lord, to remove His hand of protection from Judea, even with all the warnings concerning their idolatry.  Tragically, the prowess of Babylon continued even into Egypt and many of the remnant died there.   

At times, we can all be like Judea...knowing that the method we have chosen has failed numerous times, but, continuing to practice that method, believing we can get a different result.  Throughout the readings in Jeremiah, I have read of the pleadings and wooings of God's grace to return to Him.  Because they WOULD NOT, the way of the rebellious is HARD and full of pain and failure.  Proverbs 16:28, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death."  Oh Lord, I choose to hear and obey.  Only a fool will run FROM you!  Ever learning!  In process, still.  #IHAVETHREESONS.