Lives of Scripture

After the Babylonian-appointed governor Gedaliah was assassinated, the surviving leaders of Judah -- fearing Babylonian retaliation for the murder -- came to Jeremiah and asked him to seek the LORD's guidance about whether to flee to Egypt, solemnly vowing, "whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will listen to the voice of the LORD our God" (Jeremiah 42:1-6). Ten days later, Jeremiah delivered God's answer: remain in the land, and the LORD would build them up and show them mercy even under Babylon's hand; go to Egypt instead, and the very sword and famine they feared would overtake them there (42:7-22). Azariah, son of Hoshaiah, was among those who rejected this word outright. Together with Johanan son of Kareah and "all the arrogant men," he accused Jeremiah to his face: "You are telling a lie! The LORD our God has not sent you... Baruch the son of Neriah is inciting you against us" (43:2-3). Despite their earlier vow to obey, Azariah and the others refused to stay in Judah. They forced the entire remnant -- including Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch, taken against their will -- down into Egypt, settling at Tahpanhes (43:4-7). Azariah's story is a study in the gap between asking for God's word and actually submitting to it: he sought a prophecy, received a clear answer, and then called the messenger a liar rather than obey it.