Bible Explorer for the Young (Jeremiah - Part 2)Sample

The Empty Promises

Matthew 5:33

When you make a promise, don’t break your promise. Keep the promises that you make to the Lord.

After the fall of Jerusalem, the remaining leaders who were left behind asked Jeremiah to pray and ask God for directions and answers. They promised Jeremiah that they would obey whatever God instructed them, whether it sounded good or bad. They even asked God to be their witness for their promises. 

Ten days later, God answered. God’s answer was very clear. God wanted them to stay in Judah and God would make them strong. If they went to Egypt, they would be defeated by hunger, war, and disease. 

Jeremiah 43:2 writes that they accused Jeremiah of lying to them because they had already planned to run off to Egypt with the remnant, to escape from more impending disaster and famine. 

How ironic that their reactions were totally the opposite of what they had said to Jeremiah 10 days before. Their promise meant nothing. It was just an empty promise. 

May this story become a reminder to us not to make empty promises as it will only hurt others. Moreover, we should not make empty promises to God. 

Prayer

Dear God, let me always examine my heart thoroughly before making promises so that I won't make empty promises to You and other people. Amen.