Jeremiah 42:20 meaning

The people of Judah were in a state of distress following the fall of Jerusalem. In this turmoil, they approached Jeremiah, seeking divine guidance on whether to flee to Egypt for safety. However, their request was laced with insincerity, as they had likely already decided their course of action and sought God's approval for their plans. In this context, we find an important admonition regarding the nature of obedience and the human tendency to disguise our intentions under the guise of seeking God's will. This sets the scene for the verse at hand, where God notes the dissimulation present in their hearts, highlighting their pretense in seeking divine counsel while harboring a different intention.

In Jeremiah 42:20, it becomes clear that God sees beyond mere words and recognizes the hidden agendas within our hearts. The people had expressed a willingness to obey God's command but were predetermined to follow their own desires. This serves as a reminder that true obedience must stem from a genuine heart posture. The verse teaches us that attempting to deceive God is futile; He knows our thoughts and intentions. Thus, it emphasizes the importance of aligning our desires with His will rather than merely seeking validation for our own plans .