Definition: Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 42:5. It’s a really important part of understanding what happened during a time of great hardship and uncertainty in Israel. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about God’s unwavering commitment to help his people through a difficult situation. It expresses a sense of urgency and reliance on God’s judgment. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Then they said…” : This indicates that there was a disagreement or a questioning among the people. They were feeling like things weren't right, maybe even that God wasn't listening to them. “…The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us…” : This is the core of the verse. “The LORD” refers to God himself. "True and faithful witness" means God is reliable and honest in his dealings with his people. It’s saying that God will keep his promises and follow through on what he says. “…if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.” : This is where it gets a bit more complex, but the key takeaway is: “If we don’t act in accordance with God's instructions even when he sends us to you.” What does this mean practically? It was during a time of famine and drought. The people were starving and desperate. Jeremiah was being told by God that He needed to go to the land of Judah (a specific region) to help rebuild their infrastructure, repair damaged walls, and ultimately, to bring them back to a stable, prosperous state. God’s instruction was to send Jeremiah to this area. The verse is essentially saying: “Even though I’m sending you to this place, we need to follow His guidance perfectly – even when it's hard or uncomfortable.” It emphasizes that God doesn’t just want us to do something; He wants us to do it right . In essence, the verse is a plea for obedience and trust. It highlights that God isn't just giving us tasks; He's demanding we act in harmony with His will. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further? Give you an example of how this verse applies to a specific situation?