There is an interesting story from Jeremiah 42.
Johanan and friends come to Jeremiah and ask him to seek God on their behalf, that the Lord your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do (v.3).
Jeremiah agrees to pray. They agree to heed the word and say, "Let the Lord be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the Lord your God send us by you. Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to who we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God (v.5-6)
The word of the Lord came 10 days later (v.10-22). The word was for them to stay in the land and not go to Egypt; blessing was promised if they stay, death if they disobey and leave. It was very clear, (v.19) "Do not go to Egypt! Know certainly that I have admonished you this day."
Then Jeremiah says something very revealing about the hearts of Johanan and group, For you were hypocrites in your hearts when you sent me to the Lord your God, saying 'Pray for us to the Lord our God, and according to all that the Lord your God says, so declare to us and we will do it." (v20). And I have this day declared it to you , but you have not obeyed the choice of the Lord you God, or anything which He has sent you by me. - so you will die in the place you desire to go to dwell."
They said the right words in asking Jeremiah for God's guidance, but it turns out, as the prophet said, they were not really wanting to hear from God, but were seeking confirmation to what they had already decided to, ‘hypocrites in their hearts.’
Lord search our hearts and help us truly seek You and Your word and guidance in our lives, and not make decisions and then ask You for confirmation.
