Gedeliah Killed By Terrorists

Jeremiah 41:1-18

“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.” (Jeremiah 41:1-3)

Three months after he was appointed governor, Ishmael, a member of Judah’s royal family, brought ten men to meet with Gedeliah in Mizpah.  During the dinner when everyone was off guard, they killed himand the Chaldean officials that were there, as well as the guards, and took control of his headquarters. 

“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. Jer 41:7 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.” (Jeremiah 41:4-9)

Two days after Gedeliah had been killed, eighty men from Israel came to Judah with the intention of going to Jerusalem to make sacrifices to God.  Ishmael met them,  pretending to be sorrowful for the destruction of Jerusalem, and advising them to contact Gedeliah as the governor.  Once they had come into the city, he had all but ten men who offered to ransom murdered.  Their bodies were then thrown into a pit Asa had dug some three hundred years before as part of their defenses against Israel under Baasha.   It is amazing how often those who are there to “set their people free” kill the very people they claim to be helping.  It makes no difference whether it is the Red Brigade, the IRA, ISIS, Boko Haram, or the Black Panthers, they like to excuse their murders on the grounds that it is for a good cause. 

“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.   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.” (Jeremiah 41:10-12)

Ishmael and his men then forced the people who had come to Mizpeh who the Babylonians had left behind to go with him to go to the ammonites land.  When they heard what had happened, the men who had fought for Israel, but had recognized they were defeated united under Johanan’s leadership  to stop Ishmael’s depredations, meeting him near 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.  But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites.” (Jeremiah 41:13-15)

When Johanan and his legitimate forces engaged Ishmael’s band of terrorists, the people fled to Johanan’s side to escape.   After losing a couple of men, the terrorists fled to the Ammonites for protection. 

“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.” (Jeremiah 41:16-18)

Fearing retribution by the Babylonians for the murder of Gedeliah and the Chaldean officials, Johanan assembled all the people who were left, at Mizpeh then led them to Chimham, near Bethlehem, preparing to go to Egypt.  

Gedeliah Unites The People Who Remain

Jeremiah 40:1-16

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.” (Jeremiah 40:1)

Nebuchadnezzar had given orders that Jeremiah was to be set free.  The provisional government leaders had his taken to Ramah, where he was released when the rest of the people were taken to Babylon as captives. 

“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.” (Jeremiah 40:2-4)

When he released Jeremiah, the captain of the guard, a Chaldean soldier reminded Jeremiah that the reason Judah had been defeated and taken captive was because they had sinned against god and he had caused it.  He was setting Jeremiah free to go where ever he chose.  If he chose to go on to Babylon, he would be taken care of and have freedom to do what he wanted.  If he chose to return to Judah, he could have any of the land he chose. 

“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.” (Jeremiah 40:5-6)

When Jeremiah hesitated about which way to go, the captain of the guard told him that a Jewish man, Gedeliah had been named to govern the Land, and that he might find Jeremiah’s assistance valuable, but in any case they would enable him to choose where he wanted to live.  He gave him provisions and a reward or gift to enable him to start a new life, and Jeremiah went back to Gedeliah and lived among the few who had been left. 

“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.

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.” (Jeremiah 40:7-12)

When the news went out that Nebuchadnezzar had appointed Gedeliah governor, to administer and lead the poor people who had been left behind, many of Jewish leaders  who had escaped returned to Mispeh.  Gedeliah assured them that they would not be punished or killed but would be allowed to live freely with the others if they would just yield to the Babylonian rulers.  Thousands of Jews who  had taken refuge in Edom , In Moab, and in Ammon also returned and Gedeliah promised them the same thing.

“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.” (Jeremiah 40:13-16)

Several of the military leaders warned Gedeliah that Ishmael had made agreement with Baalis, the Ammonite king to kill Gedeliah and seize control of Judah for the Ammonites.  Jophanan offered to secretly kill Ishmael and eliminate the threat.  Gedeliah thought they were making up the story and refused to believe them, forbidding  them to do it, convinced a loyal Jew and member of the royal family would not do such a thing.   Unfortunately, he forgot that Ishmael might consider yielding to the Babylonians treason and try to set up his own kingdom.  

Jeremiah And Ebedmelech Freed

Jeremiah 39:1-18

“In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.  And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.  And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.” (Jeremiah 39:1-3)

Zedekiah had contacted the Egyptians asking for their assistance in  throwing out the Babylonian occupation army.  Learning of the threat and fearing they could not defeat the combined Egyptian and Israelite forces, the Chaldeans withdrew from Jerusalem to await reinforcements from Babylonian.  Egypt never came to Israel’s rescue, but when the Chaldeans, withdrew, the Jews were able to regain control of the city and mount a defense.  In the tenth month of Zedekiah’s ninth year, the Chaldeans besieged the city again, and a year and a half later were able to take it, establishing Babylonian control.  They set up a military tribunal to decide what would happen to the different people. 

And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.” (Genesis 39:4)

When he realized Jerusalem was defeated, Zedekiah and the military leaders attempted to escape at night.  They used a small opening between the walls next to the king’s personal garden, and going out into the plain.  Since there were more places to hide in the mountains, they hoped the Babylonians would expect them to go that way and not look for them to go the other way. 

“But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.  Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.  And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.“ (Genesis 39:5-8)

The Chaldeans were not fooled by the subterfuge, quickly finding the trail and overtaking them.   Zedekiah was brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah.  Convicted of rebelling, Zedekiah was forced to watch while his sons were executed, then his eyes were put out, according to II Kings 25:7, and he was taken to Babylon in chains.  The people’s homes were burned and the walls torn down as Jeremiah had warned him in Jeremiah 38:23.

“Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.  But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.” (Jeremiah 39:9-10)

All the middle class and rich people were taken to Babylon as captives.  Some of those who had nothing and offered no threat were allowed to stay behind and were given fields and vineyards to support themselves. 

“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.” (Jeremiah 39:11-14)

Jeremiah had been held in prison by Zedekiah for about six years.  Nebuchadnezzar gave orders that he was to be freed and given whatever he asked for.  The Babylonian leaders personally saw to Jeremiah’s release, turning him over to the Governor, Gedeliah to escort him home and see that his property was restored to him.  He was allowed to live among the other Jews that were left behind. 

“Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.  But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.  For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 39:15-18)

Ebedmelech the Ethiopian had pulled Jeremiah out of the dungeon, saving his life.  While Jeremiah was still in prison, God sent him a message for Ebedmelech, promising that while the city would be destroyed, Ebedmelech himself would be protected because he had trusted the Lord, and would not be a captive.  

Rescued From The Dungeon

Jeremiah 38:1-28

“Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.  Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it.  Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.” (Jeremiah 38:1-4)

Jeremiah was prophesying that those who yielded to Babylon would live because Judah and Jerusalem were going to be taken captive by the Chaldean army.  Those who resisted and refused to yield would be killed or die of famine and disease.  Several of the leaders heard Jeremiah preach that and went to Zedekiah, the king, accusing him of supporting the enemy and discouraging the people.  They accused him of trying to destroy the people, and begged Zedekiah to put Jeremiah to death.   Frequently, what God asks us to do is seen as unpatriotic and contrary to the common good. 

“Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.  Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.” (Jeremiah 38:5-6)

The leaders attained enough power that even the king did not dare stand strongly against them,  He had had Jeremiah moved to a less secure part of the prison to protect his life, but when the leaders demanded that Jeremiah be executed, he said there was nothing he could do to stop them.   They lowered him into a dungeon or pit where there was no standing water, but a deep layer of muck or mud that Jeremiah sank in.   There was no solid place to sleep or sit so Jeremiah would be in danger of drowning if he fell asleep.    

“Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; Ebedmelech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying,  My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.” (Jeremiah 38:7-9)

An Ethiopian servant named Ebedmelech heard what Jeremiah’s situation and went to the king, reminding him that Jeremiah was a prophet of God, and that the king himself had guarantted that as long as there was food in the city, Jeremiah would be fed.  He pointed out that the by putting jeremiah in the dungeon, they could let him drown in the mud or die of starvation without anyone noticing that he was not being cared for. 

“Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.  So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah.  And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.  So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.” (Jeremiah 38:10-13)

Upon learning what the leaders had done, Zedekiah ordered Ebedmelech to go rescue Jeremiah before he died of starvation or drowning.  He was to take thirty men to hold back any guards that might interfere.  Jeremiah had been there long enough his skin was damaged by the constant immersion in the mud so they had Jeremiah pad the rope they used with old rags to reduce the amount of damage to his skin and pulled him up out of the dungeon.  They left him in the minimum security area where the King had originally held him. 

“Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.

Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?

So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.” (Jeremiah 38:14-16)

Zedekiah knew Jeremiah was a prophet of God and didn’t want to kill him.  He had Jeremiah brought to him again, asking him to tell exactly what God said was going to happen.   Having been in similar situation before than dumped into the dungeon, Jeremiah was not at all sure he could trust the king, or id he might put him back into a place where his death wouldn’t be noticed.   Zedekiah swore that no matter what the message might be he would not have him killed or turn him over to the other leaders who wanted to kill him. 

“Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house: But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand. “ (Jeremiah 38:17-18)

Jeremiah repeated the message that if Zedekiah and the people would surrender to the Babylonians, their lives would be spared, and Jerusalem would not be destroyed.  If they continued to fight, the city would be burned and Zedekiah would not be able to escape. 

“And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.

But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.  But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath showed me: And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah's house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back.  So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.” (Jeremiah 38:19-23)

Zedekiah was afraid that the Jews who had already surrendered would turn on him or make fun of him for not surrendering earlier.   Jeremiah said that would not happen.  He went on to warn him that if he didn’t surrender, his wives would be captured and would blame his friends for leading him into trouble.  All his family would be taken into captivity, including him, and it would be his fault the city of Jerusalem was burned. 

“Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.  But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee: Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there.” (Jeremiah 38:24-26)

Zedekiah was concerned that the other leaders would hear about their conference and cause trouble.  He promised to protect Jeremiah if he made sure they never learned what had been discussed.  If they threatened to kill him for not telling them, Jeremiah was to tell them that the conference was because he had just filed an appeal with the king that he he not be returned to solitary confinement. 

“Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.  So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken.” (Jeremiah 38:27-28)

When he was questioned, Jeremiah said he had made and appeal to the king and been granted to stay in the minimum security facility.  The other leaders believed him and left him in the facility where he was.  He was still in prison when Jerusalem was conquered, five years after he was first arrested.  

Jeremiah Imprisoned Again

Jeremiah 37:1-21

“And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah.  But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the words of the LORD, which he spake by the prophet Jeremiah.” (Jeremiah 37:1-2)

When King Josiah was killed in battle with the Egyptians, his son, Jehoahaz  took the throne.  There months later the Egyptians conquered Jerusalem and put his brother Eliakim on the throne, changing his name to Jehoiakim.  Eleven years later, after conquering the rest of Judah, and a three year siege of Jerusalem, the Chaldean or Babylonian army, under Nebuchadnezzar gained control of Jerusalem.  They took Jehoiakim to Babylon, making his eight year old son, Jehoiachin, who Jews knew as Coniah king.  The Jewish attitude had not changed, and when the main Chaldean force was withdrawn, they convinced Coniah to try to drive out the remainder.  This led to the main force returning and Coniah was replaced by his uncle, Zedekiah, after just three months.   Nebuchadnezzar left and occupation force to keep Judah in control. 

Josiah had served the Lord, and had managed to enforce some of god’s laws, but the people were not committed and secretly practices idolatry and other sins.  When Jehoiakim became king, there was no longer any reason to conceal the sin.  Jeremiah had started his ministry in Josiah’s day, warning the people that they were going to be defeated by Babylon because of their sin, but that if they would yield and accept it as coming from God, it would not be unbearable.  Even after having seen Jerusalem conquered twice by the Babylonians, Zedekiah and the people refused to listen to Jeremiah’s message.  They were still plotting to overthrow the Babylonians. 

“And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.   Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people: for they had not put him into prison.” (Jeremiah 37:3-4)

During Jehoiakim’s reign, Jeremiah had been imprisoned, but was released when Nebuchadnezzar conquered the city. Zedekiah and the Jewish leadership had enlisted Egypt’s aid, and Zedekiah sent Jehucal and Zephaniah to Jeremiah, asking him to pray for them and the success of their rebellion.  They had managed to force the occupation forces to partially withdraw and were awaiting he arrival of the Egyptian forces to drive them out completely. 

“Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.” (Jeremiah 37:5)

When they learned that the Egyptian army was on its way, the Chaldean forces withdrew completely while they waited for reinforcements. 

“Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to inquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.  And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.

Thus saith the LORD; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart.  For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.” (Jeremiah 37:6-10)

God told Jeremiah to tell Zedekiah’s messengers that the Egyptian army would turn around and go back home and when they did, the Chaldeans would return and burn the city.  God warned that even if they wiped out all the forces they were fighting at the moment, He would empower the survivors to come again and defeat them, burning the city with fire. 

“And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's army, Then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of the people.  And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans.” (Jeremiah 37:11-13)

When the Chaldean army withdrew after learning the Egyptians were on their way, Jeremiah knew he was going to fall under suspicion and left Jerusalem to go to Benjamin.  Just as he arrived in Benjamin he was recognized by the brother of one of the messengers Zedekiah had sent to him, who was a captain in the Jewish army.  Irijah arrested Jeremiah, accusing him of being a traitor. 

“Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.  Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.” (Jeremiah 37:14-15)

Jeremiah’s protestations of innocence were ignored and he was returned to Jerusalem for a hearing and imprisoned in the quarters of the recorder, which had been converted to a prison. 

“When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days; Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD?” (Jeremiah 37:16-17a)

“And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon. Moreover Jeremiah said unto king Zedekiah, What have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people, that ye have put me in prison?  Where are now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land?  Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee; that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.” (Jeremiah 37b-20)

Zedekiah had ignored Jeremiah’s warning but the still recognized him as a man of God.  After Jeremiah had been in prison a while, he had him brought in and asked if he had received any messages from God. 

Jeremiah asked what he had done that had caused him to be imprisoned.  Where were the prophets that had told them the Babylonians would never come and attack Jerusalem or Judah?  Clearly they had been proven wrong.  He begged Zedekiah that he not be returned to the prison for fear he would be murdered or allowed to starve there at the instigation of the other rulers.    

“Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.” (Jeremiah 37:21)

Zedekiah gave orders that Jeremiah was to be kept in the general population where people could see what was happening of the prison rather than in solitary confinement where he could be killed or starved with no one knowing what happened.  He also commanded that as long as there was any food available in the city, Jeremiah was to be fed.

Eliminating Unpopular Parts Doesn’t Change God’s Word

Jeremiah 36:1-31

And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.  It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” (Jeremiah 36:1-3)

Four years after the Egyptians made Jehoiakim king, God told Jeremiah to take a scroll and write out the prophecies god had given against Israel, Judah and the other nations.  The written word sometimes gets attention that spoken things do not.   It twould give them another chance to repent.

“Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.  And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the LORD: Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD'S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.  It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.  And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the LORD in the LORD'S house.” (Jeremiah 36:4-8)

Jeremiah had been imprisoned so he called for Baruch to come and write down all the prophecies God had given him.  Because he was in Prison. Jeremiah would not be able to go, so he instructed Baruch to write down what eh he said, and when the next time of fasting came and everyone was gathered at the Temple, he should read the book to the, in hopes they would listen and heed the prophecies.  Baruch did as jeremiah instructed, reading the book in the temple. 

“And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem.” (Jeremiah 36:9)

About a year later, under the threat of invasion by the Babylonians, the priests and king called for a fast in hopes of gaining God’s help in driving the Babylonians away, much like the days of prayer today.  People flocked to Jerusalem and the temple to participate. 

“Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S house, in the ears of all the people.

When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,  Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.  Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people. ” (Jeremiah 36:10-13)

Baruch again read all the words of the prophecy to the people during the fast.   One of the leaders, Michaiah heard Baruch read the prophecy and went to the palace to the scribe or recorders office, meeting with several officials.  Michaiah reported what Baruch had read to the crowd.   

“Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.  And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears.

Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words.  And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?

Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.

Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.” (Jeremiah 36:14-19)

After hearing Michaiah’s report the officials asked that Baruch be brought and read the entire book to them.  When they had heard the entire message, the leaders were troubled and asked how Baruch came to have the book, because they knew Jeremiah was a prophet of God.   He explained that Jeremiah had dictated what to write.   Knowing Jehoiakim’s attitude, they recommended Baruch get jeremiah out of prison and they both go into hiding, letting no one know where they were. 

“And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.  So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.

Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.  And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.  Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.” (Jeremiah 36:20-24)

The officials then hid the scroll and went to the king to tell him about what the prophecy said.  Jehoiakim demanded to hear it for himself, so they had it brought.  After hearing about four pages, he took his knife they used for shaping the end of their pens and started cutting the scroll up and throwing it into the fire, burning the entire thing.  Neither Jehoiakim nor his advisors took the prophecies seriously. 

“Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.  But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.” (Jeremiah 36:25-26)

Three of the ones who had been concerned remonstrated with the king trying to get him to reconsider but he refused.  As they had expected, he gave orders for Jeremiah and Baruch to be arrested.  God hid them and they were not found. 

“Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,  Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.  And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?  Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.  And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.” (Jeremiah 36:27-31)

God directed Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll and send a message to Jehoiakim that cutting up and burning the scroll would not change the prophecy.  His anger that Jeremiah had prophesied that Jerusalem would be defeated and destroyed would not prevent it from happening.  Because jehoiakim dismissed god’s prophecy without a thought, the day would come when there would not be a member of his family to sit on the throne.  His body would be thrown out without burial, and all the people would see the fulfillment of those prophecies warning them to stop that they had ignored.   

Today there are a lot of efforts to rewrite or destroy parts of the scriptures that teach things that are not popular.  For example, a lawsuit has been filed against two Bible publishers for publishing bibles that say homosexuality is wrong.   Closing down the publishers or churches will not change God’s opinion, or the end results.  

The Rechabites

Jeremiah 35:1-19

“The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying, Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.” (Jeremiah 35:1-2)

Josiah, the last of Judah’s good kings attacked the Egyptian forces who had fought the Assyrians and was killed.  His son Jehoahaz ascended the throne but was removed by the Egyptians and replaced with his brother Jehoiakim, who reigned for eleven years.  During the first part of his reign, Judah was a tributary of Egypt, but in his eighth became a tributary of Babylon instead.  It was during those first eight years that Jeremiah was sent to the Rechabite family and instructed to bring them into the Temple and offer them wind to drink. 

According to I Chronicles 2:55, the Rechabites were a branch of the Kennite family.  ”And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab.”   Moses married the daughter of the priest of Midian, and when Israel moved into Canaan, some of her family came with them, settling in the southern part of Judah and maintaining their family identity, while becoming an important part of Jewish society.

 

“Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habaziniah, and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites; And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which was by the chamber of the princes, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door: And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine. “ (Jeremiah 35:3-5)

Following God’s orders, Jeremiah brought the men of the family into the rooms where the priests changed their garments in the temple and served them wine.  It was just a common courtesy, and  normally would not even be noticed. 

“But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever: Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.

Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters; Jer 35:9 Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed: But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.  But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem. “ (Jeremiah 35:6-11)

The Rechabites politely refused to drink the wine,  explaining that one of their ancestors hae instructed them that none of their children should ever drink wine.  In addition, they were never to build permanent houses or develop farms or vineyards.  For generations they had lived in tents and done what their ancestor commanded.  They had moved to Jerusalem for protection from the Babylonian and Syrian forces that were invading the land. 

“Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.  The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.

I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.” (Jeremiah 35:12-15)

Jeremiah was to use them as an example for Judah, explaining why they were being attacked by the Babylonians.   For hundreds of years, the Rechabites had followed the r ancestor’s instructions out of respect for him, even though he had been dead for centuries.  God had spoken to the Jews, written down his commandments, and sent prophets repeatedly to remind them of what he had said.  In spite of all his efforts, they had refused to obey his commands.  Clearly they less respect for god than the Rechabites did for Jonadab. 

“Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me: Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.” (Jeremiah 35:16-17)

Because Judah had shown such a lack of respect to God, refusing to obey, God was going to bring all the judgments he had warned them about on them.  

“And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.” (Jeremiah 35:18-19)

Because the Rechabites had been faithful to keep Jonadab’s command, God promised their family would never be wiped out, but that there would always be some of them to serve the Lord.  These were not even commands God had given.