Jeremiah 40:1-16
Q.1. Why was Judah being punished by Babylon? How well did God protect His servant in the midst of calamity? – (Jer.40:1-6)
The following chapters relate the events that occurred before the prophecy of Jeremiah 42:7 (c.f. Jer.40:1). Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian captain, had a very clear understanding of why his nation was executing judgment. He knew that it wasn’t simply about expanding the empire’s influence – 2 Now the captain of the bodyguard had taken Jeremiah and said to him, “The Lord your God promised this calamity against this place; 3 and THE LORD HAS BROUGHT IT ON AND DONE JUST AS HE PROMISED. Because you people sinned against the Lord and did not listen to His voice, therefore this thing has happened to you (Jer.40:2-3). Somehow Nebuchadnezzar’s instruction to protect Jeremiah had been overlooked (c.f. Jer.39:11-12). As soon as he realized his mistake, Nebuzaradan freed Jeremiah and gave him permission to go wherever he pleased (Jer.40:4). He would personally look after the prophet. Alternately, Jeremiah was free to attach himself to Gedaliah, the newly appointed leader in Judah – So the captain of the bodyguard gave him a ration and a gift and let him go (Jer.40:5). Jeremiah went to the watchtower of Mizpah near Ramah, in the tribal lands of Benjamin (Jer.40:6). God looks after His own perfectly. Even though there are trials in this life, our life to come will be one of unceasing joy and peace. (c.f. Mk.10:28-30).
Q.2. What governing policies did Gedaliah put in place over the returning remnant of Judah? – (Jer.40:7-12)
The various tribes of Israel had fled to the surrounding nations, in order to escape the wrath of the Babylonians. When they heard that Gedaliah had been appointed as the head of the survivors, they began to return (Jer.40:7-8). The policy pursued by Gedaliah had the fingerprints of Jeremiah all over it – 9 Then Gedaliah … swore to them and to their men, saying, “Do not be afraid of serving the Chaldeans; stay in the land and serve the king of Babylon, that it may go well with you. 10 Now as for me, behold, I am going to stay at Mizpah to stand for you before the Chaldeans who come to us; but as for you, gather in wine and summer fruit and oil and put them in your storage vessels, and live in your cities that you have taken over.” (Jer.40:9-10). Slowly the scattered Jews returned, and joined the poorest people, to farm the land again. Their surrounding neighbours from Moab, Ammon, Edom, and other countries also joined them – Then all the Jews returned from all the places to which they had been driven away and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, and gathered in wine and summer fruit in great abundance (Jer.40:12).
Q.3. Was Gedaliah wise to ignore the warnings of the returning soldiers? – (Jer.40:13-16)
Gedaliah was a bit headstrong, and he would pay dearly for his refusal to take good advice from his own countryman, Johanan. He was obviously trying to establish himself in leadership, so did not want to be influenced by rumour (Jer.40:13-16). However, there were plenty of surrounding nations who had a long history of antipathy toward Israel. This should have forewarned him that the reports just may be true. Further civil unrest, plus disregard for God’s Word as given by Jeremiah, would bring total destruction to Jerusalem (Jer.41:1-44:30). God also gave Jeremiah prophecies against the surrounding nations (Jer.Chpts.46-49) and Babylon (Jer.Chpts.50-51).