Halfway to Egypt | Pastor Jamie Self

Pastor Jamie Self walks through Jeremiah 41 to 43, exploring how fear and spiritual blindness led the remnant of Judah to disobey God's clear command to stay in the land, choosing instead to flee "halfway to Egypt," a symbol of sin, comfort, and disobedience. Through characters like Ishmael, Gedaliah, Johanan, and the remnant, the sermon contrasts arrogance, fear-based decisions, and superficial faith with God’s call to humble, relational obedience. Ultimately, Pastor Jamie points to the promise of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31) and Christ’s obedience unto death (Philippians 2), showing that through Jesus, believers receive new hearts capable of joyful obedience rooted in relationship, not fear.

Discussion Questions:
1. In what ways do you find yourself “halfway to Egypt,” tempted to return to comfort rather than trusting God in difficult circumstances?

2. What does Johanan’s story teach us about the danger of seeking God’s approval after already making our own decisions?

3. How can we recognize when we’re using spiritual language but operating with an “earthly heart,” like the remnant?

4. Pastor Jamie emphasized that God is not a power to enlist but a Lord to obey. How does this shift your view of prayer and decision-making?

5. How does understanding the New Covenant and Christ’s obedience (Philippians 2) empower you to live with a new heart today?

Key Words and Phrases:
Obedience to God in crisis
Jeremiah 41 to 43 explained
New Covenant heart transformation
Spiritual blindness and fear
Returning to Egypt symbolism
Philippians 2 humility and obedience
God's discipline and mercy
Leadership and arrogance in the Bible
Practical faith in exile
Living out God's Word

Scripture References:
Jeremiah 41–43 – The core narrative of the remnant, their fear, and disobedience.
Jeremiah 29:11 – God’s promise to prosper and not harm, used to encourage hope during exile.
Jeremiah 31:31-33 – Promise of the New Covenant and new hearts.
Philippians 2:1-13 – Christ’s humility, obedience, and exaltation as the model for believers.
Numbers 13:33 (implied) – Reference to the spies seeing themselves as grasshoppers, symbolizing fear over faith.
Romans 12:1 (implied) – Offering our bodies as living sacrifices, connected to joyful obedience.