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Jeremiah

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©Michael Player

Chapter 40:1-6 (ESV)

Posted on October 20, 2024  - By Chris LaBelle  

Chapter 40:1-6 (ESV) - 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. The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God pronounced this disaster against this place. 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. 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. 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. Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, at Mizpah, and lived with him among the people who were left in the land.

Question to consider: Why do you think Jeremiah chose to stay in Judah?

This chapter begins a new section of the book of Jeremiah. The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD doesn’t actually begin until chapter 42, but we are given a brief narrative to understand the setting in which the word was given.The captain of the guard, Nebuzaradan, was given charge over Jeremiah after Nebuchadnezzar freed him from his imprisonment in the court of the guard. The last section ended with a note that Nebuzaradan gave Jeremiah over to the care of Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to dwell with his own people in Judah. Today’s passage opens with more details about this exchange.

After years of persecution and imprisonment for faithfully proclaiming the word of the LORD, Jeremiah was given a choice about how he would live out his days. He could either dwell safely in Babylon or among the people who were left in the land— those who had been poor and enslaved by the ruling class in Jerusalem.

Apparently the “good figs” who had listened to the word of the LORD and went into exile at the surrender of Jehoiachin must have told Nebuchadnezzar about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who made the heavens and the earth and how he was being used by God to judge the people of Judah. I’d imagine the message must have piqued the interest of Nebuchadnezzar. The gods of the nations were territorial. The people expanded their territories in the name of their gods, and when Nebuchadnezzar conquered a nation, it was a sign that their god was lesser to those of Babylon. Who has ever heard of a god raising a sword to his own people? Who has ever heard of a god who dwelt in a land among his people while proclaiming to have created the heavens and the earth? Who has ever heard of a god who desired mercy over vengeance? Who has ever heard of a god who was powerful enough to overthrow an Egyptian Pharaoh and yet not seek to dominate all the nations of the world?

I’m sure Jeremiah could have found greater prosperity if he had gone with Nebuzaradan to Babylon, but he instead chose to remain in Judah. A true shepherd seeks the welfare of the sheep over his own comfort and lifestyle. As long as the LORD could use him to call His people to repentance, life, and salvation, Jeremiah would be willing.

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for providing faithful shepherds like Jeremiah to make sure Your word is proclaimed. Now that we have Your word written down for us, help us to grow closer to Christ through it. Amen.