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JEREMIAH 43:7,8.

"BACK TO EGYPT"

Intro: So after 9OO years, descendants of Abraham returned back to the place of  bandage. In
       referring historically to the greatness of their God, it was always -  "The Lord that
       brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of        ."

I. SO THEY CAME TO THE LAND OF EGYPT.
        A. When?  After Zedekiah was carried away to Babylon, Gedaliah was appointed governor
           over land. Things seemed to go well for awhile but Ismael - a man bent on murder 
           and treachery - killed Gedaliah. He took the remnant captive, intending to find 
           refuge among the Ammonites, but Johanan wrought deliverance - came to Jeremiah for
           guidance, promising to obey. After 10 days answer came.
        B. Why back to Egypt?
                1. Fear.
                        a. Fear is always the sign of a lack or loss of faith in God.
                                1. Fear and faith are mutually exclusive.
                        b. I fear because I no longer believe.
                2. Looking for peace and ease.
                        a. When a nation loses it's will to defend itself and fight for right,
                           that nation....
                        b. When the chief concern of the people is ease and pleasure, the end
                           is at hand.
                        c. No nation - no matter how strong militarily - can survive when it
                           is morally weak.
                3. Lapse of memory.
                        a. Forgotten the greatness of their God, who delivered the oppressed 
                           who trusted in Him.
                        b. Forgotten the cruel         their fathers had endured.
                4. Failure to take God into account. 
                        a. They had observed the power of Babylon.
                        b. They had forgotten the power of God.
        C. It is a tragic day when a nation or an individual who have known the power of God 
           in deliverance, turn back to the place of         from which God delivered - and 
           again become slaves to sin.

II. "FOR THEY OBEYED NOT THE VOICE OF THE LORD."
        A. God spoke to keep them from this blunder.
                1. He warned them that they would not find the things they were seeking.
42:16 2. The things which they were seeking to flee, would follow them and overtake them there.
                3. God speaks to us and warns us of the pitfalls of sin.
                        a. We do not fall blindly into satan's trap.
                        b. We disobey God's warnings - then so often we cry, "I don't know why
                           God allowed this to happen to me!"
        B. Disobedience is a sign of a failure of faith.
                1. Faith is obedience.
                2. They were seeking to humanly manipulate events, instead of following the 
                   divine guidance.
                3. Relying upon intrigue instead of intercession.
                4. The failure of faith resulted in a degeneration of desire.
                        a. They no longer desired the way of God.
                5. This will eventuate in the corruption of conscience.
Listen... 6. So here they are - God's people back in Egypt.

III. "THEN CAME THE WORD OF THE LORD TO JEREMIAH IN TA' HA PAN' ES.
        A. Oh the patience of God with man.
                1. He continues to speak.
                2. His speaking has an element of Grace.
                        a. Even now if you will turn He will forgive.
                3. Satan's lies declares He is through with you. You blew it - He did His best
                   to stop you, but you disregarded the warnings.
                        a. The way of peace is not for you any more.
                        b. The joy of the Lord is only a faint memory of the past.
        B. Listen...God is still speaking to you  TODAY!!