Gedalliah is Made Ruler of Judah
November 21, 2020
Commentary
Gedaliah, who was Josiah’s secretary of state, was appointed governor of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar. He set up his headquarters at Mizpah, which was about eight miles north of Jerusalem, because Jerusalem lay in ruins. The governor tried to convince a group of men who remained in the land to serve Nebuchadnezzar. Ishmael, who was of royal descent and wanted to govern Judah, conspired against Gedaliah and succeeded in assassinating him (Jer. 41). Fearing reprisals from Nebuchadnezzar all the people, including the officers of the governor, fled to Egypt for safety and they forced Jeremiah to go with them (Jer. 41-43).
In the meantime a new king, Evil-Merodach, had become ruler of Babylon and he decided to give freedom to the exiles. Jehoiachin who had been imprisoned for 37 years was one of those who was given freedom. In fact, the former Jewish king was given a prominent position and new appropriate garments. He was even allowed to eat at the king’s table (v. 29).
Application
I need to be careful that I never worship God just as a ritual but that it comes from my heart and life of repentance and service?
Isaiah 43:14– 28 (NET)
14 This is what the Lord says, your Protector, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I send to Babylon and make them all fugitives, turning the Babylonians’ joyful shouts into mourning songs.
15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the one who created Israel, your king.”
16 This is what the Lord says, the one who made a road through the sea, a pathway through the surging waters,
17 the one who led chariots and horses to destruction, together with a mighty army. They fell down, never to rise again; they were extinguished, put out like a burning wick:
18 “Don’t remember these earlier events; don’t recall these former events.
19 Look, I am about to do something new. Now it begins to happen! Do you not recognize it? Yes, I will make a road in the wilderness and paths in the wastelands.
20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and ostriches, because I put water in the wilderness and streams in the wastelands, to quench the thirst of my chosen people,
21 the people whom I formed for myself, so they might praise me.
22 “But you did not call for me, O Jacob; you did not long for me, O Israel.
23 You did not bring me lambs for your burnt offerings; you did not honor me with your sacrifices. I did not burden you with offerings; I did not make you weary by demanding incense.
24 You did not buy me aromatic reeds; you did not present to me the fat of your sacrifices. Yet you burdened me with your sins; you made me weary with your evil deeds.
25 I, I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake; your sins I do not remember.
26 Remind me of what happened. Let’s debate! You, prove to me that you are right!
27 The father of your nation sinned; your spokesmen rebelled against me.
28 So I defiled your holy princes, and handed Jacob over to destruction, and subjected Israel to humiliating abuse.
Illustration: Baby Sitter Promised a Pony
After an evening out, some parents returned home to their children, whom they had left with the baby sitter. They were pleasantly surprised to find the kids fast asleep. When the sitter had been paid-just as she was walking out the door-she communicated this detail: “Oops-almost forgot to tell you. I promised Sammy that if he would stay in bed, you would get him a pony in the morning.” (Ed Vasicek – Sermon Central)