The Inspired, the Blind

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Opening Prayer

Holy One, let truth go before me, let wisdom walk beside me, let compassion live within me. Teach me more truth today.

Read JEREMIAH 40:1-41:3

^[1] The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard had released him at Ramah. He had found Jeremiah bound in chains among all the captives from Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried into exile to Babylon. ^[2] When the commander of the guard found Jeremiah, he said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster for this place. ^[3] And now the LORD has brought it about; he has done just as he said he would. All this happened because you people sinned against the LORD and did not obey him. ^[4] But today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists. Come with me to Babylon, if you like, and I will look after you; but if you do not want to, then don’t come. Look, the whole country lies before you; go wherever you please.” ^[5] However, before Jeremiah turned to go, Nebuzaradan added, “Go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the towns of Judah, and live with him among the people, or go anywhere else you please.” Then the commander gave him provisions and a present and let him go. ^[6] So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land. ^[7] When all the army officers and their men who were still in the open country heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam as governor over the land and had put him in charge of the men, women and children who were the poorest in the land and who had not been carried into exile to Babylon, ^[8] they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah-Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maakathite, and their men. ^[9] Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, took an oath to reassure them and their men. “Do not be afraid to serve the Babylonians,” he said. “Settle down in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you. ^[10] I myself will stay at Mizpah to represent you before the Babylonians who come to us, but you are to harvest the wine, summer fruit and olive oil, and put them in your storage jars, and live in the towns you have taken over.” ^[11] When all the Jews in Moab, Ammon, Edom and all the other countries heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, as governor over them, ^[12] they all came back to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, from all the countries where they had been scattered. And they harvested an abundance of wine and summer fruit. ^[13] Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers still in the open country came to Gedaliah at Mizpah ^[14] and said to him, “Don’t you know that Baalis king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them. ^[15] Then Johanan son of Kareah said privately to Gedaliah in Mizpah, “Let me go and kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he take your life and cause all the Jews who are gathered around you to be scattered and the remnant of Judah to perish?” ^[16] But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, “Don’t do such a thing! What you are saying about Ishmael is not true.” ^[1] In the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was of royal blood and had been one of the king’s officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah. While they were eating together there, ^[2] Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land. ^[3] Ishmael also killed all the men of Judah who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, as well as the Babylonian soldiers who were there.

Meditate

Sometimes the purposes of God can be muddied by the influence of a “well-intentioned dragon.” Our churches would be much healthier if John the Baptist’s dictum “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30) were followed.

Think Further

This account of Jeremiah’s release (1-6) differs from yesterday’s (Jer. 39:11-14). We could spend pointless time trying to harmonize the accounts, but it is significant that whoever compiled the book of Jeremiah did not harmonize them. A simple explanation is best: the editor had multiple sources and left the two accounts intact. We should not fear the evidence of multiple hands, inspired hands, in the final form of God’s Word as we have it today. The psalms have obviously been collated, and inspired editors are clearly evident elsewhere in Scripture.

The book of Jeremiah opens with an editorial introduction (Jer. 1:1-3), proceeds to direct quotation of Jeremiah’s own writing, and then later interpolates narratives by another person or persons (including what we are now reading). All these are inspired godly people. As a Bible translator I must believe this. I must believe that even I, with the help of God’s Spirit, can, in fear and trembling, offer words to another people in another language that remain the inspired Word of God.

Through the words of a Babylonian soldier, we see God’s hand, not only in the Babylonian defeat, but in a future renewal and restoration of the people. In Gedaliah’s leadership and activity we see God’s work beginning afresh among the confused and devastated remnant–but good is not allowed to happen. From the very beginning, the Bible story has shown God’s offer of abundant life being undone by sinful and misguided humans. It doesn’t need a mob: one person bent on destruction can undo a great deal of good. In this case the treachery comes from within, from one of God’s own people blinded by self-interest to what God is doing. Often the most obtuse people, the most blind and resistant to God’s work in the world, come from within God’s people.

Apply

How are differences handled in your church? How do you handle differences? How can Matthew 18:15-20 help in a difficult situation?

Closing prayer

Lord, my ego and a love of power can disturb Your purposes for me. I pray that You will be the consuming desire of my heart.

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