August 21: Jeremiah 41-45

August 21, Jeremiah 41-45

Jeremiah 41 We left off in Jeremiah where the new Governor, Gedaliah, was being threatened and not taking the threats seriously. Now, Ishmael and ten men came an murdered Gedaliah. He also killed some Jews that where with him and some soldiers. The next day, 80 men arrived to come to the temple and give their offerings - obviously mourning what was going on. Ishmael tricked them and brought them in and began slaughtering them too and throwing them into a cistern (as to not be caught). However, he spared 10 of them who basically bribed him and said that they had lots of wheat, barley, oil and honey hidden in the fields. Ishmael took a bunch of prisoners as well as captives. Johanan was one of the leaders of the forces that escaped. He had heard about what happened & they came and counter attacked Ishmael and his men. Ishmael escaped, but Johanan released all the people that were taken prisoner…

Jeremiah 42 Johanan and all the remaining Jews went to Jeremiah and asked him to seek the Lord as to what they should do now and promised to obey regardless of what God said to do. They promised… Jeremiah went and sought God. 10 days later, God reveals to Jeremiah and Jeremiah revealed to the remaining Jews - “If you will remain in this land, then I will build you up and not pull you down…for I relent of the disaster that I did to you. Do not fear the king of Babylon… Do not fear him… for I am with you, to save you and to deliver you from his hand. I will grant you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and let you remain in your own land. But if you say, ‘We will not remain in this land,’ disobeying the voice of the Lord your God… then hear the word of the Lord, O remnant of Judah…If you set your faces to enter Egypt and go to live there, then the sword that you fear shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine of which you are afraid shall follow close after you to Egypt, and there you shall die.” They had an answer from God. Stay in Judah and be saved, watch God provide for them. Jeremiah knew that they wouldn't obey, so he kept warning them to keep their promise to obey.

Jeremiah 43 They all accused Jeremiah of lying and not speaking of God. Johanan and his other leaders captured all the remaining and brought them to Egypt (including Jeremiah & Baruch his scribe). 

God had Jeremiah take large stones and hide them in the ground in Egypt and said that it will Be God that will rise up Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) to reign over the stones that were hidden and strike those in Egypt. God will be cleaning house because of all the disobedient. God will be wiping out all the idols, obelisks and false temples.

Jeremiah 44 God told Jeremiah that the judgement was coming because of all the evil that His people had committed and provoked God to anger. Their idolatry is an abomination to God and they have forgotten what He has done for them - they have brought this judgement onto themselves. God is watching over them for disaster and not for good. God is even going to give the Pharaoh of Egypt into the hands of the king of Babylon. 

Jeremiah 45 God sent a message to Baruch as well. Baruch was burdened for the persecution and Baruch felt as though this punishment was a bit harsh. God informed Baruch that God hurt a lot worse about all of this than Baruch did. It is implied that Baruch was hoping for personal happiness and prosperity and fame and God warns him to not seek such things. God is bringing the disaster but will be giving life to Baruch - which is far greater than wealth and prosperity.

To sum it all up: 

• For Jeremiah, it was black and white - Obey God and live. Disobey God and die. 
• Look at what God warned Baruch about - it is better to have life in Him and peace than prosperity and sin. Prosperity is not bad - but where is your heart? Is it to serve and give everything to Him?