Loving God

Now that we have a little understanding of what it means to love, and that godly love is possible through the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives, we need to look at who we are to love.    Jesus was very specific that the first object of our love is to be God himself.   Mark 12:29-30 tells us, “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

In John 14:15, Jesus commanded, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” In John 14:21, he explained, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”  If we are to please God, it is critical that we love him, which we demonstrate by keeping his commands.  In order to keep his commands, we will have to learn what they are. 

The Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 commands, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  We are to go out and win people to Christ, to disciple them.  Then we are to baptize or immerse them in the name of the Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit, which involves far more than simply dipping them in the water.  Finally, we are to teach them to observe or obey all his commands so that they can show their love and please God.   The job is not finished until we complete all three parts.  When they learn to show that love, they will begin to understand God’s love for them.

That obedience to God’s commands is clear indicator as to ones love or lack of love for God, as Jesus says in John 14:23-24.  “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”

God is a loving father, and wants to have a loving relationship with us.   When a child refuses to do what his parents want, he causes a frustration, and if they care about him, they try to correct his behavior.  Frequently this results in the child feeling his parents don’t care about him.  When we go against God, it has the same result.  The problem is not that he doesn’t love us, but that we don’t love him enough to obey.  We see a lot of unhappy and discouraged Christians today, either because they haven’t learned what God wants, or they aren’t obeying his commands.    Unfortunately, this is often because they haven’t been taught to obey God’s commands.  Even those who are trying are frequently caught up in the mechanical actions rather than acting out of love, and as I Corinthians 13:1-3 tells us, without the proper attitude of love, the actions are meaningless and worthless. 

The Power To Love

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  Matthew 22:37-40

As Jesus explained all the Old Testament law was based on love.  In Romans 13:8-10 Paul says that love is the fulfillment, the ultimate goal of the law.  “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Unfortunately, people tend to get caught up in the mechanical details of those laws, and forget about having the proper attitude,  because, as Galatians 3:10 tells us, “… as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  ”As we saw in I Corinthians 13:1-3, without the proper attitude, even the actions that seem most loving become meaningless.  Fortunately, Christ freed us from that old slavery as Galatians 3:13-14 tells us.  “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”  Because we are free from that law, we are free to concentrate on the proper attitude rather than the mechanics of following the law, according to Romans 7:6.  “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”

For the natural man, such an attitude is difficult to maintain, but when we become a Christian, God gives us a new attitude or spirit, as II Corinthians 5:17-18 tells us.  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”

 In John 14:16-17, Jesus promised, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”  Romans 8:9 warns, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”  The Holy Spirit produces that new attitude or spirit in our heart, according to Galatians 5:22-23.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

As we look at the fruit of the Spirit, we realize in not produces that spirit of love itself, but it produces several other attitudes in our heart as well.  Let’s look at them more closely.

love,                       We looked at love rather closely in the previous post on Godly Love

joy,                        An attitude of enjoying and taking pleasure in your life and the things around you. 

Peace,                   An attitude of contentment , of not being upset about things.

 longsuffering,  Patiently enduring problems without giving up or getting angry

gentleness,          Going out of one’s way to avoid hurting others either physically or emotionally   

 goodness,          An attitude of always doing the right thing

faith,                     Believing and trusting God even regardless of circumstances

Meekness,          Not focused on one’s own  feelings, desires, needs, or goals.   

temperance:      Able to control themselves

When we allow the Holy Spirit to control us, to “walk in the Spirit,” these attitudes will come natural to us.  We will not have to force ourselves to do them.     God is love, and the power to love in a godly manner comes from him. 

Jesus Prayed For His Followers

Jesus knew what it takes to live a godly life in this world, because as Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”  He has experienced all the same temptations we experience, and was able to overcome them. 

Because he knows how strong the temptation can be, he prayed for those who believed in him to experience the same victory.  He had taught them what God said and understood that it was what God wanted.  Now he was going to leave them and he prayed that they would continue on in their faith, in John 17:6-13.  “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.  Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.  For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.  And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.  And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”

Christ’s servants were going to be hated by the world because of their different attitudes and ideas.  They would need God’s help to overcome the peer pressure and remain faithful, and Christ was asking God to give them the faith and confidence to remain true despite the pressure.  He was not asking that they escape the pressure, but that they become strong enough to resist it, in John 17:14-23.  “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

The name, “Christian” means a little Christ and refers to people being like Christ.  Jesus was asking that God make his followers to be like him in attitude and behavior, enabling the world to see what Christ is truly like.   In order to develop that kind of faith and strength, Christ asked that they would understand and experience the God’s love, in John 17:24-26.  “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.  O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.  And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Without an understanding of God’s love, they would never be able to resist the hatred of the world.  Without a valid understanding of God’s love people today will not be able to make a strong stand for Christ either.   Many people believe that Christ did away with the Old Testament Law and that it does not apply in our day.   In Matthew 5:17-18,  Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” 

The Law teaches us how to love God and how to love other people, as Matthew 22:37-40 tells us.  “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  Only when we begin to understand that the Law was meant to make things as good as possible for mankind can we truly understand God’s love for us. 

The Need For Separation

Before the advent of the internal combustion engine, people used different animals for transporting things or accomplishing certain jobs.  Frequently more than one animal was required to accomplish the purpose so they were yoked or harnessed together as a team to increase the available power.  The most satisfactory teams were of two or more animals of the same type and similar size and strength.  Trying to work teams of mixed animals often caused problems.   When two widely different sized horses were used, the smaller horse would almost invariably be exhausted by the end of the time because it was far harder for him to pull the same amount as the larger animal.  Though an ox and a heavy draft horse might be equally strong, the ox had trouble walking as fast as the horse.  To try to work together for long periods resulted in frustration and exhaustion for both animals because their different capabilities keep them constantly interfering with each other.

In II Corinthians 6:14-18, Paul uses this concept to illustrate the conflicts between Christians and those who are not.  “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

While we may work together to accomplish a particular goal, it will be frustrating and self-defeating to try to establish long term cooperation due to constantly conflicting values, standards and goals.  In John 15:19-20, Jesus said, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”

Jesus found himself constantly in conflict with the goals and philosophies of the Jewish people, and they eventually crucified him even though he had violated none of their laws, and he warns that the same thing will happen when we try to follow his example.  As a result, we often feel pressured to conform the unsaved world’s standards and philosophies.  Romans 12:2 warns, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  By conforming to the world’s ideals, we miss out on the blessings and rewards God has for us. 

We have to choose whether we value God’s approval or man’s more.  I John 2:15-17 says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”  In Matthew 6:24, Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  We cannot live by the world’s standards and by God’s.  Despite our best efforts, we are going to end up putting one set of standards ahead of the other. 

Sadly in Christian circles today there is a great deal of emphasis on adapting our beliefs and practices to the world’s ideas.   Trying to do so puts us squarely in conflict with God, as James 4:4 tells us.  “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”  

I once dealt with a lady who was having marital problems because her husband didn’t feel like she had time for him.  She insisted she was unable to set priorities and so she did the things she liked least first and as a result she never had time to spend with him.  She never accepted the fact that using such a system she was making it clear her husband didn’t matter as much as a dirty toilet to her.  Their eventual divorce was not a surprise.  Sadly, by trying to adapt to the world, we make it clear we care more about the world than about God.  As James 4:4 tells us.  “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

In this series, we will be looking at how we should respond to some of the issues we face day to day. 

 

Blessed in Spite of Their Sin

Though God was punishing Judah for ongoing disobedience, they were protected, and as God had pomised, and those who submitted themselves to the captivity were richly blessed throughout the seventy years.  Jehoiachin had been only eight years old when he became king, and the Jewish leaders constantly rebelled against the Babylonians during his reign.  After only three months, he was deposed and carried off to Babylon.  Finally, thirty seven years after the Nebuchadnezzar first took control, his son, Evil Merodak, or Awil Marduk freed Jehoiaqchin as Jeremiah 52:31-34 describes.  “And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison, And spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon, And changed his prison garments: and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life.  And for his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.”

For the rest of his life, Jehoiachin was treated respectfully, and received a living allowance, even though he was a conquered king.  It demonstrates how God cares for and protects his children even when there seens to be no hope.  He blesses his people even when they are rebellious and are far from where He originally intended them to be. As  Paul reminds us in Romans 8:38-39, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Even our own rebellion will not kill his love for us.

God Doesn’t Forget His Prophecies

Almost twenty years before the Jews fled to Egypt, Jeremiah had prophesied that the Babylonians would conquer Egypt, shortly after the Egyptians had been defeated at Carchemish, as we learn in Jeremiah 46:1-28.  “The word of Jehovah which came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations.  Of Egypt: concerning the army of Pharaoh-neco king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah.

Prepare ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.  Harness the horses, and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, put on the coats of mail.  Wherefore have I seen it? they are dismayed and are turned backward; and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: terror is on every side, saith Jehovah.  Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; in the north by the river Euphrates have they stumbled and fallen.

Who is this that riseth up like the Nile, whose waters toss themselves like the rivers?  Egypt riseth up like the Nile, and his waters toss themselves like the rivers: and he saith, I will rise up, I will cover the earth; I will destroy cities and the inhabitants thereof.  Go up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men go forth: Cush and Put, that handle the shield; and the Ludim, that handle and bend the bow.  For that day is [a day] of the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour and be satiate, and shall drink its fill of their blood; for the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates. Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin daughter of Egypt: in vain dost thou use many medicines; there is no healing for thee.  The nations have heard of thy shame, and the earth is full of thy cry; for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, they are fallen both of them together.

The word that Jehovah spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt.  Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Memphis and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand forth, and prepare thee; for the sword hath devoured round about thee.

Why are thy strong ones swept away? they stood not, because Jehovah did drive them.  He made many to stumble, yea, they fell one upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.  They cried there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath let the appointed time pass by.  As I live, saith the King, whose name is Jehovah of hosts, surely like Tabor among the mountains, and like Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.  O thou daughter that dwellest in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity; for Memphis shall become a desolation, and shall be burnt up, without inhabitant.

Egypt is a very fair heifer; [but] destruction out of the north is come, it is come.  Also her hired men in the midst of her are like calves of the stall; for they also are turned back, they are fled away together, they did not stand: for the day of their calamity is come upon them, the time of their visitation.  The sound thereof shall go like the serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.  They shall cut down her forest, saith Jehovah, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the locusts, and are innumerable.  The daughter of Egypt shall be put to shame; she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.

Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, saith: Behold, I will punish Amon of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with her gods, and her kings; even Pharaoh, and them that trust in him: and I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants; and afterwards it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith Jehovah.  But fear not thou, O Jacob my servant, neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be quiet and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.  Fear not thou, O Jacob my servant, saith Jehovah; for I am with thee: for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee; but I will not make a full end of thee, but I will correct thee in measure, and will in no wise leave thee unpunished.”

About twenty years later, God fulfilled that prophecy.  Had the Jews paid attention when Jeremiah first made the prophecy, they would have known what would happen, but like people today, they chose to listen to those who told them what they wanted to hear instead of what God said.  Nebuchadnezzar’s defeat of Egypt is a matter of historical record, and only a handful of Jews survived their flight to Egypt.   God does not forget his prophecies, even though they were made many years, or even centuries before. 

Nebuchadnezzars defeat of Egypt was probably the source of pride that lead to the events described in Daniel 4.  After all, he had just conquered one of the oldest and strongest empires in the world. 

Blaming God For Their Disobedience

The Jews had deliberately ignored God’s command, going to Egypt.  Once they had gone out of God’s will, they went further into sin, beginning to worship the idols and gods of the Egyptians.  When Jeremiah confronted them about the sin, they began to blame God, claiming they had been better off worshipping the idols, as Jeremiah 44:15-19 describes.  “Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying, As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.  But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.  But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.  And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?”

Josiah had managed to get them to stopp worshipping the idols, and now they claimed their problems began when they stopped worshipping them.   In fact, they had turned back to the idols as soon as Josiah died, and Jeremiah pointed out that that was what had caused God to stop blessing them, in Jeremiah 44:20-23.  “Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer, saying, The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?  So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.  Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.”

Because they had deliberately committed to follow those false religions, God was going to bring judgement on them with the result that only a very few would survive who would understand that God and not man had the final word, as Jeremiah 44:24-28 describes.  “Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah that are in the land of Egypt: Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.

Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.  Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.  Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.”

As proof this was God’s word, the Babylonians would conquer Egypt just as they had conquered Jerusalem, as Jeremiah 44:29-30 describes.  “And this shall be a sign unto you, saith the LORD, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil: Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.”

Unfortunately, I see this same attitude of blaming God for their problems among people today.  They refuse to admit the problem is that they have not been willing to completely obey him and as a result he cannot bless them like he wants to.  They blame him for not keeping his promise even though they have not done their part.

God Loved Them In Spite Of Their Disobedience

The people had chosen to ignore God’s warning against going to Egypt in hopes of escaping Nebuchadnezzar’s retribution for the murder of his governor.  God reminded them that their captivity was the result of their refusal to listen and obey, in Jeremiah 44:1-6.  “The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and upon all the cities of Judah; and, behold, this day they are a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein, Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, and to serve other gods, whom they knew not, neither they, ye, nor your fathers.

 Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.  But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.  Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day.”

Their flight to Egypt was like a teenager running away from home to keep from having to obey his parents.  It would not turn out well, as Jeremiah 44:7-14 declares.  “Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye this great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain; In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?  Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem?

They are not humbled even unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.  Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah.  And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, and fall in the land of Egypt; they shall even be consumed by the sword and by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.  For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.”

Many of the teen agers who run away from home wind up homeless and involved in drugs and alcoholism, turning to prostitution or burglary just to support their habit or survive.  As a result many spend time in prison or are killed.   God warned that those who had gone to Egypt would find themselves in much the same condition.    Like a father trying to convince a runaway child to come home God was making another effort to convince his people to come home, because he still loved them so much.    

The People’s Choice

Fearing retaliation for the murder of Gedaliah, the Jews had decided to go to Egypt for safety, but wanting God’s blessing, they asked Jeremiah to pray about what God wanted.  God told Jeremiah that if they would stay where they were, God would protect them but that if they went to Egypt they would be killed.  This was not what they had decided, and they refused to stay, accusing Jeremiah of setting them up to be killed, in Jeremiah 43:1-7.  “And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words, Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there: But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.

So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.  But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah; Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.  So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they even to Tahpanhes.”

Determined to do what they had decided was est, they forced Jeremiah and Baruch the son of Neriah to go along with them even though they were trying to obey the Lord.   God warned them that their flight to Egypt to escape Nebuchadnezzars wrath would fail because the Babylonians or Caldeans would conquer Egypt as well. 

Their flight would only incense him, according to Jeremiah 43:8-13.  “Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah; And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.  And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword.”

God had chosen Nebuchadnezzar to punish the various nations for their refusal to worship him and follow his commands, and Egypt was one of the Nations that was to be punished, as Jeremiah 43:12-13 tells us.  “And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.  He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire.”

Choose You This Day Whom Ye Will Serve

Ishmael the son of Nethaniah was a member of Judah’s ruling class.  Nebuchadnezzar had appointed Gedeliah, a man who the Jews respected as governor.  In an effort to regain power, he and other members of the political elite murdered Gedaliah with the assistance of the Ammonite king.  They then got the people to move to Ammon for protection, even though the people opposed it. 

Upset by Ishmaels actions, a group of former military leaders united the people,defeating him  and returning to Judah as Jeremiah 41:11-14 tells us.  “But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done, Then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.  Now it came to pass, that when all the people which were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad.  So all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah cast about and returned, and went unto Johanan the son of Kareah.”

Unable to regain control, Ishmael turned his back on Judah, joining the Ammonites, according to Jeremiah 41:15.  “But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites.”

Even though they had not been involved, the people feared retribution by the Babylonian forces for the deat of Gedaliah, and decided to flee to Egypt for protection, as Jeremiah 41:16- 18 tells us.  “ Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, even mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon: And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt, Because of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.”

Wanting God’s blessing on their efforts, they consulted Jeremiah before leaving, according to Jeremiah 42:1-3.  “Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) That the LORD thy God may show us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.”

Jeremiah agred to seek God’s leadership promising to tell them exactly what God said, and the people promised that they would do whatever God commanded, in Jeremiah 42:4-6.  “Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you.

Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.  Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”

Ten days later, God responded, giving them a choice.  If they would stay in Judah and trust him, he would bless them mightily, as Jeremiah 42:7-12 describes.  “And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah.  Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, And said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him; If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.  Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.  And I will show mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.”

On the other hand, if they chose to go to Egypt rather than trusting God, they would all be killed for lying about their willingness to obey God, as Jeremiah 42:13-22 tells us.  “But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God, Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell: And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there; Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.  So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.  The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.  For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.  And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you.  Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn.”

The people had to make a choice whether to trust God, or to yield to their fears and follow their own ideas.  It is much like what Joshua demanded of the people in Joshua 24:15.  “And if it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell…”

Determined to Keep Control

Nebuchadnezzar had made Gedaliah governor over Judah and the Jews who were left behind, as Jeremiah 40:7-8 describes.   “Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon; Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.”

Gedeliah encouraged the people to do exactly what Jeremiah had been telling them for years, that if they would yield, they could be at peace.  As a result even Jews who had taken refuge in other countries returned to Judah, as Jeremiah 40:9-12 describes.  “And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.  As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.  Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan; Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.”

For years, the Jewish royalty had opposed Jeremiah, accusing him of treason for telling them that God would bless them if they would just surrender.  When the people came to gogether to Gedeliah, some of the military leaders warned Gedaliah that The Ammonite king was conspiring with those princes to overthrow him, in hopes of regaining control, but Geeliah didn’t believe they would take the chance of destroying their country, in Jeremiah 40:13-16.  “Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.  Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?

But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.”

Two months after Gedaliah was made governor, the Jewish royalty met with Gedaliah, and murdering him and the leaders who supported him, saving ten men who offered a ransom for their lives, in Jeremiah 41:1-9.  “Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.  Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.  Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war.

And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it, That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.  And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.  And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.  Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, was it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.”

Fearing Babylonian retribution, Ishmael took the people to Ammon for protection, in Jeremiah 41:10.  “Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the king's daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the Ammonites.”

God has given people the ability to make their own decisions, and unfortunately, some refuse to learn.  Ishmael and his followere ignored even the destruction of Jerusalem in their efforts to maintain control.  History is replete with stories of people who are willing to murder their own people to get and keep control.   

Prophecy Fulfilled

Jeremiah had repeatedly warned Judah and Zedekiah that fighting against God’s punishment in bringing the Babylonians against them would only make things worse, as Jeremiah 27:12-17.  “I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.  Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?  Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.  For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you. Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.  Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?”

If as Jeremiah told them, God was empowering the Babulonians and Chaldeans under Nebuchadnezzar, there was no way they coud win.  If the prophets were truly of God, they would be more concerned with praying for God’s protection of their temple and religion than saving the political system, according to Jeremiah 27:18-22.  “But if they be prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.   For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city, Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem; Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem; They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.

Because they refused to listen, the people were removed, as were all the religious items that had been left when Nebuchadnezzar first onquered the city, according to Jeremiah 52:17-23.  “Also the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brazen sea that was in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans brake, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon.  The caldrons also, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the bowls, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.  And the basins, and the firepans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the captain of the guard away.  The two pillars, one sea, and twelve brazen bulls that were under the bases, which king Solomon had made in the house of the LORD: the brass of all these vessels was without weight.

And concerning the pillars, the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits; and a fillet of twelve cubits did compass it; and the thickness thereof was four fingers: it was hollow.  And a chapiter of brass was upon it; and the height of one chapiter was five cubits, with network and pomegranates upon the chapiters round about, all of brass. The second pillar also and the pomegranates were like unto these.  And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side; and all the pomegranates upon the network were an hundred round about.”

In the process, the religious leaders that had encouraged the people to resist were executed, according to Jeremiah 52:24-27.  “And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: He took also out of the city an eunuch, which had the charge of the men of war; and seven men of them that were near the king's person, which were found in the city; and the principal scribe of the host, who mustered the people of the land; and threescore men of the people of the land, that were found in the midst of the city.  So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah.  And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.

II Chronicles 36:18-21 summarizes what had betaken, making it clear this was the fulfillment of prophecy.  “And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon.  And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.  And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.” 

Had the Jews simply yielded and trusted God, this last invasion and destruction could have been avoided. 

Jerusalem Destroyed

Late in Zedekiah’s ninth year as king, the Babylonians beseuged Jerusalem again.  A year and a half later, starvation left the Jews unable to fight as Jeremiah 52:4-6 describes.  “And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.  So the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.  And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.”

The walls were quickly torn down, and the Babylonian forces entered the city.  Zedekiah and his government officials attampeted to escape but were captured as II Kings 25:4-7 describes.  “And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain.  And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.  So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him.  And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.”

Because of the repeated rebellions, the Babylonian forces completely destroyed Jerusalem, carrying all those in leadership as captives, as Jeremiah 52:12-15 describes.  “Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem, And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire: And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about.  Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.” 

Unlike the Assyrians, the Babylonians did not relocate all the Jews, but left the common people to occupy and care for the land, as Jeremiah 52:16 describes.  “But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left certain of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen.”  Jeremiah had been shut up in prison for several years because of his prophecies.  Nebuchadnezzar gave him his freedom, as Jeremiah 39:11-14 descrbes.  “Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying, Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.  So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;  Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.”

Nebuchadnezzar had named Gedaliah to govern the people left in Judah, and as jeremiah 40:2-6 describes, jeremiah chose to remain under his protection.  “And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.  Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.  And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.

Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.  Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.