Jeremiah 40:1-16 Staying Home
Jeremiah is captured in the fall of Jerusalem but released by Nebuchadnezzar. He is asked where he would like to go. He is staying home, in Judah.
We saw Jerusalem fall the last time we were together. We also saw special dispensation for two of those who were in Jerusalem. Jeremiah by Nebuchadnezzar and Ebed-melech by God. God really set up both of their protection and freedom. And there was NOTHING Satan could do about it!
We said good-by to Ebed-melech but we get to walk with Jeremiah through his release. That’s not the end of Jeremiah’s story though, as we shall also see today.
Jeremiah was taken in chains from Jerusalem with all the rest of the people captured there. We are not told how he was identified by Nebuzaradan. Did he have a drawing that depicted Jeremiah? Did he ask around until he found him? Did Jeremiah reveal himself to Nebuzaradan? Or did God lead him to Jeremiah? We know that Nebuchadnezzar told Nebuzaradan to be on the look out for Jeremiah and treat him well.
However these two came to be face-to-face, God took it from there. To my understanding, it appears that the words coming from the mouth of Nebuzaradan came from the Lord. I say this because of the very first verse in our reading. “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” (verse 1).
When Nebuzaradan speaks to Jeremiah, he speaks exactly what the Lord had decreed regarding Judah. I don’t know if this was common knowledge. Maybe God told Nebuchadnezzar these very words as He built him up for conquest of Judah. If so, it is not surprising that Nebuzaradan knew of them too. He was, after all, the captain of all Nebuchadnezzar’s troops. But Nebuzaradan’s choosing to speak these words directly to Jeremiah before releasing him shows that he understands the importance of all that has taken place and that he acknowledges it as GOD’S plan, not mans.
Nebuzaradan released Jeremiah’s chains and let Jeremiah choose his future from there. Jeremiah was welcome to come to Babylon where he would be treated well. Jeremiah was free to go ANYWHERE he chose at this time. His options were wide open. But his choice was to be guided by “whatever you think is good and right” (verse 4b) to him. Nebuzaradan also gave him the option of going to stay with the governor Nebuchadnezzar had placed over the land; “Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan” (verse 5a).
Was God telling Jeremiah he had a choice here? These were still the instructions coming from Nebuzaradan’s mouth but were they the words of God, like I supposed before? Was God giving Jeremiah a choice of where to go? Or had He already spoken a destination to Jeremiah before he was captured? Was “his face set” on a course of action? Wherever Jeremiah decided to go, he wouldn’t be going empty handed. He was given “an allowance of food and a present” (verse 5c) to take with him. The present leads me to believe that Jeremiah either already communicated his intentions to go to Gedaliah or Nebuzaradan was covering his bases. Although, it could have been a gift to Jeremiah himself.
Jeremiah was originally sent to the people of Judah to call them back to the Lord. I’m wondering if this mission was part of why he decided to stay in Judah. There would be men called by God to minister to the people in Babylon. Jeremiah’s advanced age may have played into his decision too. He may have wanted to die in his own land.
Whatever his reasons, Jeremiah went to Gedaliah at Mizpah and lived there. His time there was NOT perfect and peaceful. It may have appeared so in the beginning as men of Judah streamed back into the land once the soldiers were gone. The people were told to take advantage of what was available in the land, now that it had been emptied of all but the poorest people. These poor would experience riches beyond their wildest dreams as they took up the houses, fields, flocks, and vineyards of those who were captured.
While Jerusalem faced starvation, famine, and disease, the rest of the land was fruitful. Those remaining had only to harvest what was before them. And the soldiers who had been fighting battles in the fields had protection and purpose again. They would be watched over by Gedaliah and protect the people who were left behind. Together, all would prosper AND honor the king of Babylon for allowing them to continue in their land.
But, as I said, all was not perfect and peaceful. There was rebellion in the hearts of some. The king of the Ammonites had sowed a seed of discord into the ear of one of the men who brought troops to Gedaliah, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah. I’m certain that these men schemed in private but their plans were known and brought to the attention of Gedaliah.
Gedaliah was warned of their intentions to kill him but he couldn’t fathom why. WHY would they mess up a good thing? Didn’t they realize that they could freely share in what was left behind? Did they know that this would start another conflict and possibly another round of battles and captures?
Gedaliah was not about to believe this rumor. He didn’t think one of his own ‘brothers’ would conspire against him. He was so convinced that he REFUSED to allow a preemptive strike. “You shall not do this thing, for you are speaking falsely of Ishmael” (verse 16b). His trust would not be rewarded.
When thinking about what to take from our time today, my mind latched onto a couple of things. First of all, how God protected His chosen people even in the midst of terrible danger. Second is how the people were provided for once the evil was removed.
God worked through Nebuchadnezzar to protect Jeremiah and even His people who surrendered to him. He works through the most unexpected sources. Even Pharaoh was His tool on more than one occasion. God isn’t limited on how He reaches or cares for His people.
The people moved into the homes left behind by those God was punishing. That is NOT saying that all those who remained were faithful to Him. But this is how He held onto the land and how He would continue a portion of His people. They would care for the land and learn from the lessons given to their brothers. God NEVER lets go of His people and He promised to bring them back. They needed something besides weeds and/or foreign occupiers to come home to.
Father God, You watch over Your children. You give us the spoils of the wicked. I don’t know how this translates to my life, but I will hold fast to Your hand and go wherever You lead me. I LOVE seeing Your hand in action!
