Jeremiah 42

Faithful and True Witness

Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us. Jeremiah 42:5

The people call on the LORD as "a true and faithful witness" of their promise. The risen Jesus later calls Himself "the faithful and true witness," so the phrase softly echoes one of His titles.

• the same title in Revelation 3:14 — Christ names Himself "the faithful and true witness."

Jehovah

And said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him; Jeremiah 42:9–12

Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ, promises to be with His frightened people to save, deliver, and show mercy if they trust Him. He is the Savior of Israel long before Bethlehem.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in Isaiah 43:3 — "I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour."
• alludes to Jeremiah 1:10 — The build and plant / pull down and pluck up language of Jeremiah's call.

Lord of Hosts

LORD of hosts — Jehovah, commander of heaven's armies

And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there; Jeremiah 42:15–18

The same Jehovah who offered mercy warns of the consequences of rejecting His counsel. The LORD of hosts is the premortal Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him