These next couple of chapters confirm that Judah had still not learned the lessons of their Babylonian captivity. Gedaliah refuses wise counsel and pays the price.
Jeremiah 40: Jeremiah Remains in Judah
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he took him bound in chains along with all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon.
2 The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, "The LORD your God pronounced this disaster against this place.
3 The LORD has brought it about, and has done as he said. Because you sinned against the LORD and did not obey his voice, this thing has come upon you.
4 Now, behold, I release you today from the chains on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you well, but if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, do not come. See, the whole land is before you; go wherever you think it good and right to go.
5 If you remain, then return to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed governor of the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people. Or go wherever you think it right to go." So the captain of the guard gave him an allowance of food and a present, and let him go.
6 Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, at Mizpah, and lived with him among the people who were left in the land.
7 When all the captains of the forces in the open country and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land and had committed to him men, women, and children, those of the poorest of the land who had not been taken into exile to Babylon,
8 they went to Gedaliah at Mizpah---Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, Johanan the son of Kareah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.
9 Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, swore to them and their men, saying, "Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
10 As for me, I will dwell at Mizpah, to represent you before the Chaldeans who will come to us. But as for you, gather wine and summer fruits and oil, and store them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that you have taken."
11 Likewise, when all the Judeans who were in Moab and among the Ammonites and in Edom and in other lands heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, as governor over them,
12 then all the Judeans returned from all the places to which they had been driven and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah. And they gathered wine and summer fruits in great abundance.
13 Now Johanan the son of Kareah and all the leaders of the forces in the open country came to Gedaliah at Mizpah
14 and said to him, "Do you know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take your life?" But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam would not believe them.
15 Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke secretly to Gedaliah at Mizpah, "Please let me go and strike down Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he take your life, so that all the Judeans who are gathered about you would be scattered, and the remnant of Judah would perish?"
16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, "You shall not do this thing, for you are speaking falsely of Ishmael."
Jeremiah 41: Gedaliah Murdered
1 In the seventh month, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, of the royal family, one of the chief officers of the king, came with ten men to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, at Mizpah. As they ate bread together there at Mizpah,
2 Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men with him rose up and struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with the sword, and killed him, whom the king of Babylon had appointed governor in the land.
3 Ishmael also struck down all the Judeans who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, and the Chaldean soldiers who happened to be there.
4 On the day after the murder of Gedaliah, before anyone knew of it,
5 eighty men arrived from Shechem and Shiloh and Samaria, with their beards shaved and their clothes torn, and their bodies gashed, bringing grain offerings and incense to present at the temple of the LORD.
6 And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah came out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he came. As he met them, he said to them, "Come in to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam."
7 When they came into the city, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them and cast them into a cistern.
8 But there were ten men among them who said to Ishmael, "Do not put us to death, for we have stores of wheat, barley, oil, and honey hidden in the fields." So he refrained and did not put them to death with their companions.
9 Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men whom he had struck down along with Gedaliah was the large cistern that King Asa had made for defense against Baasha king of Israel; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.
10 Then Ishmael took captive all the rest of the people who were in Mizpah, the king's daughters and all the people who were left at Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. Ishmael the son of Nethaniah took them captive and set out to cross over to the Ammonites.
11 But when Johanan the son of Kareah and all the leaders of the forces with him heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,
12 they took all their men and went to fight against Ishmael the son of Nethaniah. They came upon him at the great pool that is in Gibeon.
13 And when all the people who were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah and all the leaders of the forces with him, they rejoiced.
14 So all the people whom Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah turned around and came back, and went to Johanan the son of Kareah.
15 But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites.
16 Then Johanan the son of Kareah and all the leaders of the forces with him took from Mizpah all the rest of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, after he had struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam---soldiers, women, children, and eunuchs, whom Johanan brought back from Gibeon.
17 And they went and stayed at Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem, intending to go to Egypt
18 because of the Chaldeans. For they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.
Things to think about…
1. The Babylonians have come and taken the wealthy and the skilled captive to Babylon. They appointed Gedaliah Governor over the poor who remained. Jer 40:7. Jeremiah is given complete freedom to go to Babylon or stay in Judah by the Babylonian captain of the guard, vss 2-5. Jeremiah decides to stay in Judah and remain with the remnant that was left, vs 6. Jeremiah no doubt wants to cling to the hope that the Lord would still bless His people in the land. Jeremiah had an incredible amount iof grace in dealing with such a rebellious group. He is like Moses in many respects. After 40 years they still rebel against the Lord.
2. Gedaliah, the newly appointed governor receives some sound advice that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah is seeking to take his life and rebel against Babylonian rule, Jer 40:12. This advice came from “Johanan the son of Kareah and all the leaders”, vs 13. But Gedaliah would not believe the report, vs 14. Gedaliah is then murdered by Ishmael, Jer 41:2. Gedaliah should have listened to the advice because the ones who had given it had an intimate knowledge of this man having escaped to the Ammonites with him and returned to Judah when the Babylonians had left. We want to think the best of people, and this is the best setting to have, but we must be wise and discerning. Gedeliah refused to see the facts before him and paid the ultimate price for it. As a result all the people suffered further exile and trial, including Jeremiah.
3. After Ishmael had slaughtered Gedaliah, some Judeans and the few Chaldean soldiers it says “eighty men arrived from Shechem and Shiloh and Samaria, with their beards shaved and their clothes torn, and their bodies gashed, bringing grain offerings and incense to present at the temple of the LORD”, Jer 41:5. These men had obviously suffered much. They had torn clothes and beards shaved, their bodies were gashed. But they had arrived to see Gedaliah to bring offerings to the Lord at the temple, which was of course in ruins, but they wanted to worship Him. Consider how wicked this man Ishmael was, it says he goes out weeping to them, vs 6 and then he asks them to come into Gedaliah. They had no clue he had just murdered Gedaliah. Ishmael through feigned emotional deceit lures them in then also murders these eighty men and throws them in a cistern, vs 9. Some men plead for their lives. It is fortunate they did because they were no doubt able to share the wicked acts of Ishmael to Johanan. Evil is most horrendous in my view when it is cloaked with a veil of religious integrity or zeal. Ishmael
4. Ishmael tries to flee back to the Ammonites and takes coerced Judean captives with him. Johanan hears the evil Ishmaels murder of Gedaliah and the others and purses him. He eventually finds him at the Pool of Gibeon, Jer 41:14. Ishmael however escapes with eight others to the Ammonites. This now leaves Johanan with a dilemma. No doubt Babylon will hear of Gedaliah’s death, with the Chaldean soldiers and others left to support Gedaliah. Johanan now considers whether they should flee to Egypt, Jer 41:18. Poor Johanan is caught between a rock and a hard place. He tried to warn Gedaliah, he didn’t listen, now he is dead along with the remaining Babylonian guard. He had brought back soldiers and women and children, who were also slaughtered by Ishmael, Jer 41:16. His heart would have been in turmoil. Can you relate to Johanan? I certainly can. You do what you believe is right only to be supplanted to someone’s evil and selfish desires. They do not care for the lives they wreck in the process. When they get found out, or are left with no options, they run. It is in these times that only the Lord’s leading and grace can help you through. Jeremiah is confronted with Johanan’s dilemma in Jer 42.
Vision Point for cell groups – Cell groups on break over the school holidays
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sunday’s sermon “The best is yet to come” – reading Jeremiah 30:18-Jer 31-14
1. We have all known the pain of loss. Israel would lose everything, but her sorrow would be turned to joy. Has the Lord restored something to you after a season of loss?
2. The nation of Israel is a modern day miracle. Jeremiah says “I will again rebuild you”, Jer 31:4ff. What do you know of the history and conflict over Israel, the two state solution and what is happening in Israel today.
3. We know the Messiah is the One who fully restores the fortunes to us and to Israel. They will one day recognise their Saviour. Discuss your understanding of this and what you understand about the Millennial kingdom.
4. Perfect peace and restoration will come from the heavenly Jerusalem. This is where we live with our Lord forever. There will be a new heavens and a new earth. Do you ever think about this.
Prayer Points
1. Melinda Fourie bad ear infection.
2. Ministries as they have started back.
3. That we see Christ even as Covid goes through the community.
4. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
5. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Kayla Newberry - National U18 national Heptathlon Champion.
2. People returning to church as Covid is passing through the church and community.
3. Faithful; message on Sunday – thanks Doug
4. Worship and technical team. Thanks Suzie, Gina, Zac, Bec and Tim.
Announcements
1. Cell groups back. A new cell group has started at the church for residents around Karalee. Wed 7pm at church.
2. Kidz@Church every Sunday
3. Members Meeting after the service 27th Feb
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for February...
Q. 16. Who should partake of the Lord's Supper? A. Only those who repent of their sins, believe in Christ for salvation and live according to his word.
