Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans"
Text: Jeremiah 40:9
GEDALIAH’S WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Governor Gedaliah was open and honest in his dealings with the people who were allowed to remain in the land of Judah. He spoke earnestly, seeking to encourage all who came to him.
“And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan,
took an oath before them and their men, saying,
‘Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans.
Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
As for me, I will indeed dwell at Mizpah and serve the Chaldeans who come to us.
But you, gather wine and summer fruit and oil, put them in your vessels,
and dwell in your cities that you have taken.'”
Jeremiah 40:9-10
1. “And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, took an oath before them and their men, saying, ‘Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you'”
a) Taking an oath:
i) This was done to confirm what he said was indeed the truth.
ii) He was not a politician seeking to win votes.
iii) He was a governor appointed by the Babylonians.
b) His word of encouragement to the rebels who continued to resist the Babylonians.
i) There was no need to fear the Babylonians.
ii) They may dwell safely in the land if they were to serve
the king of Babylon.
2. “As for me, I will indeed dwell at Mizpah and serve the Chaldeans who come to us.
But you, gather wine and summer fruit and oil, put them in your vessels,
and dwell in your cities that you have taken”
a) Gedaliah’s example:
i) He will serve the Chaldeans.
ii) He will dwell in Mizpah.
iii) The Babylonians meet with Gedaliah regularly.
b) A word of advice to the rebels.
i) To gather wine (grapes).
ii) To collect summer fruit.
iii) To collect oil (olives).
iv) And then dwell in the cities they have taken.
c) Gedaliah would not take them into custody.
i) He would try and help them where he could.
ii) They can live in the present circumstances under the Babylonians.