Jeremiah 42:20

For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the Lord your God, saying, Pray for us unto the Lord our God; and according unto all that the Lord our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.

Jeremiah 42:20 (KJV)

Context

After Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, a frightened remnant of Judah, including military leaders, asked Jeremiah to pray for them and to declare whatever God commanded. They promised to obey, saying, “According unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.” Yet in this verse Jeremiah exposes their true condition: they had dissembled in their hearts when they made that request.

Meaning

The word “dissembled” means to be dishonest or deceptive. The people said one thing with their mouths while their hearts intended another. They pretended to seek God’s will, but they had already decided to flee to Egypt for safety, regardless of what God commanded. Their request for prayer was a cover for a predetermined course of action, making them appear righteous while their hearts were set on disobedience.

Jeremiah’s accusation is direct: their deception was not merely against him, but against the Lord. They had asked him to pray, yet they had no intention of following the answer. This is the sin of asking God for guidance while refusing to submit to His revealed will.

Biblical connections

This verse connects with the broader narrative in Jeremiah 42, where the people had already received God’s warning not to go to Egypt (Jeremiah 42:19). Their subsequent disobedience confirmed their insincerity. The same principle appears throughout Scripture: God desires truth in the inward being (Psalm 51:6), and He judges the heart rather than outward appearances.

Application

This verse warns believers about the danger of hypocrisy in prayer and in seeking spiritual counsel. It is possible to ask for guidance while already determined to follow our own plans. God sees the true intentions of the heart, and our actions must align with our words. We should approach Him with sincerity, willing to obey whatever He reveals, even when it contradicts our own desires.

Reflection

The people of Judah faced severe consequences for their deception. By going to Egypt, they defied God’s command and sealed their fate, as Egypt became a place of hardship and destruction for them. Their story reminds us that God values authenticity in our relationship with Him. He desires honest hearts, open to His leading, and willing to submit to His will. Let us examine our own hearts, ensuring that our requests for guidance are accompanied by a genuine commitment to obey.