Jeremiah 42:5

5 Then they said to Yirmeyahu, the LORD be a true and faithful witness among us, if we don't do according to all the word with which the LORD your God shall send you to us.

Jeremiah 42:5 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 42:5

Then they said to Jeremiah, the Lord be a true and faithful
witness between us
Which is the form of an oath; a solemn appeal to God, as a witness to what they were about to say, and to the sincerity of their hearts in it; who is true to his word, and faithful to his promises and threatenings; and who bears a true and faithful testimony, and will do what is just and right; and yet these people never intended to perform what they promised; which is a most shocking piece of atheism in a professing people; and who, at this very time, could not but observe the judgments of God upon their nation, city, and temple: if we do not even according to all things for the which the Lord thy
God shall send thee to us;
they promise to do everything the Lord should signify by the prophet as his will; and, if they did not, wish the severest judgments of God might fall upon them.

Jeremiah 42:5 In-Context

3 that the LORD your God may show us the way in which we should walk, and the thing that we should do.

4 Then Yirmeyahu the prophet said to them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray to the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall happen that whatever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it to you; I will keep nothing back from you.

5 Then they said to Yirmeyahu, the LORD be a true and faithful witness among us, if we don't do according to all the word with which the LORD your God shall send you to us.

6 Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send you; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.

7 It happened after ten days, that the word of the LORD came to Yirmeyahu.