The foundation of Faith

Read Jeremiah 43.

Johanan asked Jeremiah to pray and to tell them what God had to say.  But when God's word was delivered, Johanan refused to accept it as the truth.  He blamed the messenger.  This is very much like those today who only want to accept the parts of the Bible that agrees with them.  They dismiss the rest as the writer's personal opinion.  Such irrational thinking sets up every person as their own pride-filled authority of truth.

Against all that God had said, Johanan took the people he rescued, including Jeremiah, to Egypt.  They settled in Tahpanhes.  This was a fortified city near the Nile River in northeast Egypt.  Here, they would be safe from the Babylonians.  Or, so they thought.

God had warned them that going to Egypt would be no escape but would result in their death.  Not only did Nebuchadnezzar bring his army to avenge the murders of his representatives (chapter 41), but God had had enough of Egypt's idolatry.  He would use Nebuchadnezzar as His "servant" (v.10) to accomplish His judgment.

In dramatic fashion, the LORD instructed Jeremiah to foretell exactly what was about to take place.  He even marked the spot where the king of Babylon would sit when Egypt would be destroyed and taken by Nebuchadnezzar.

The foundation of faith is embracing the answer to "What is the Bible?"  Is it just a collection of lore with some historical value or is it in fact the word of God?  If it is the very truth from God, then it is infallible and inerrant.  Otherwise, it cannot be trusted.

Throughout the Bible the Scriptures make claims that cannot be dismissed.
"And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules." (Psalm 119:43)
"The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever." (Psalm 119:160)
"...for you have exalted above all things your name and your word." (Psalm 138:2b)
"Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." (Proverbs 30:5)