Jeremiah 42: ⁵ (The Jews remaining in Judah) in their turn said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to everything that the Lord your God sends us through you. ⁶ Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, in order that it may go well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.” ⁷ At the end of ten days the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah.

V.7 got my attention today. The people asked Jeremiah to seek the Lord on their behalf and, after 10 days, the word of God came. This morning I wonder what Jeremiah was doing for 10 days. Did he go on a fast and sit in the temple waiting? Did he just go about his business as usual? Were there special prayers he offered? We aren’t told what those 10 days looked like, but I’m curious. Nor are we told how Jeremiah received the word from God. Was it in a dream? Did he hear a voice? Did another person speak this to him?

I am definitely curious, but I also wonder if it really mattered HOW Jeremiah sought the Lord. Perhaps the key was simply Jeremiah’s willingness to humble himself before the Lord and wait – for as long as it took to get a response. 10 days sounds like a long time, but it’s really not.

Lord in these uncertain times we all need a word from you. We may not be “prophets” as was Jeremiah, but you still speak to your people. Give us grace to humble ourselves before you. For as long as necessary. Amen.