Quick Obedience

Scripture
Jeremiah 42:20 - Didn't you just now send me to your God, saying, 'Pray for us to our God. Tell us everything that God says and will do it all'?

Observation
What's the point of asking God's opinion when you've already made up your mind? Here, the remnant (those left in Israel when most of the nation was taken captive) had apparently already decided to go to Egypt. Life as the remnant wasn't easy. Egypt looked safe and maybe they could rebuild their lives. As a side note, I find it interesting that they were willing to return to their lives before God brought them out of Egypt. We are just like them. Life gets hard for us and we return to the slavery of our old lives, before we found freedom in Christ.

They meet with Jeremiah and ask Him to ask God for His will. I'm sure they were thinking, "of course, God will want this, He wants our lives to be easier." Or, something like that. They promise to obey (because they know God will affirm their decision). God says "No." They still go and suffer the consequences.

Application
It is far better to ask God for direction before I make up my mind. And, when presented with a change in plans (by Him), I need to be quick to change my mind. I want my life to be characterized by quick obedience, regardless the cost.