What does Jeremiah 42:21 mean?
"And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you." - Jeremiah 42:21

Jeremiah 42:21 in the King James Version reads: "And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you."
At this point in the Book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah has been sent by God to warn the people of Jerusalem about the impending destruction and exile that will come upon them if they do not turn from their wicked ways and return to the Lord. This verse comes after the people of Judah have sought counsel from Jeremiah, asking him to intercede on their behalf and seek guidance from the Lord regarding whether they should stay in Judah or flee to Egypt to escape the Babylonian invasion.
The context of Jeremiah 42:21 is crucial to understanding its significance. Earlier in the chapter, the people of Judah had promised to obey whatever the Lord commanded them to do through Jeremiah. However, when Jeremiah brought them a message from the Lord, advising them to remain in Judah and not to go to Egypt, they did not heed his warning and instead chose to disobey the voice of the Lord.
This verse highlights the theme of obedience and the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. The people of Judah had failed to obey the voice of the Lord, even after seeking his counsel. This disobedience led to dire consequences for the nation, as they were ultimately destroyed and taken into exile by the Babylonians.
The symbolism in this verse lies in the character of Jeremiah as a prophet, as well as in the nature of God's relationship with his people. Jeremiah, as a prophet, serves as the mouthpiece of God, delivering his messages to the people. The people's response to Jeremiah's message reflects their attitude toward God and their willingness to submit to his authority.
The verse also reflects God's faithfulness and unwavering commitment to his people. Despite the people's disobedience, God continued to send prophets like Jeremiah to warn them and give them an opportunity to turn back to him. However, their refusal to obey ultimately resulted in the fulfillment of the judgment God had pronounced through his prophets.
Furthermore, this verse serves as a cautionary tale for believers, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands. The consequences of disobedience, as seen in the tragic fate of the people of Judah, remind us of the significance of submitting to God's will and heeding his voice.
Overall, Jeremiah 42:21 carries a powerful message about the consequences of disobedience, the role of prophets as God's messengers, and the importance of obedience in the life of a believer. It serves as a sobering reminder of the gravity of our choices and the need to earnestly seek and follow God's will.
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Jeremiah 42:21 - "And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you."
"And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you." - Jeremiah 42:21
Jeremiah 42:7 - "¶ And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah."
Jeremiah 42:7 And it happened after ten days that the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 42:7 And it happened after ten days that the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 51:42 - "The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof."
Jeremiah 42:13 - "¶ But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,"
Jeremiah 42:5 - "Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us."
Isaiah 42:21 - "The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable."
"¶ And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah." - Jeremiah 42:7
Jeremiah 48:42 - "And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD."
Joshua 21:42 - "These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities."
Jeremiah 42:3 - "That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do."
Jeremiah 42:22 - "Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn."
Jeremiah 42:12 - "And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land."
Jeremiah 42:8 - "Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,"
Jeremiah 42:9 - "And said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him;"
Jeremiah 21:3 - "¶ Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:"
Jeremiah 42:1 - "Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near,"
Jeremiah 42:19 - "¶ The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day."
Jeremiah 42:13 "But if you say, 'We will not dwell in this land,' disobeying the voice of the Lord your God,
Jeremiah 42:2 - "And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)"
.Jeremiah 51:42 The sea has come up over Babylon; She is covered with the multitude of its waves.
Jeremiah 42:11 - "Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand."
Jeremiah 42:14 - "Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:"
Jeremiah 25:21 - "Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,"
"The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof." - Jeremiah 51:42
Jeremiah 32:42 - "For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them."
Jeremiah 42:15 - "And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;"
Matthew 21:42 - "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?"