Journal Through the Bible: Week 76 Monday

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Jeremiah 40:1-41:18

The Babylonian captain of the guard freed Jeremiah from prison and told him that "the LORD thy God" had pronounced evil upon the place, meaning Jerusalem. I think Jeremiah was in full agreement since he had heard it straight from God Himself years earlier. Jeremiah was sent to Mizpah. That is where Gedaliah, the governor that Nebuchadnezzar appointed, lived and governed. Gedaliah encouraged the people to harvest the fields and vineyards while awaiting word from the king of Babylon concerning their service to him. Nethaniah, a prince of Ammon, assassinated Gedaliah, the Jews that were with him, and the Chaldean men of war. (See also II Kings 25:22-26.)

Johanan, the son of Kareah, pursued Nethaniah and was able to free all that had been taken captive by him. These people settled near Bethlehem and were ready to flee into Egypt because they were afraid of the Chaldeans.

Does God issue any commands?

• God did not speak to Jeremiah in this passage.

Does God make any promises?

• God did not speak in this passage, but some of the former promises came true. For instance, Jeremiah had been promised that he would be safe after the siege and he was.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Johanan was a type of Christ in this passage because he freed those taken captive by the murderer.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Not that I identified.