Sermon notes
The death of Gedaliah at the hands of the murderous infiltrator Ishmael was followed by serious consequences for the tiny remnant that had been left in the land by Nebuchadnezzar. More than he perished! Others faced captivity, 41:10. He takes them away with the intention of going to the land of Ammon where his true loyalty lay. The liberty that they had enjoyed for a short time is now threatened because they admitted an undercover assassin, a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
I THERE IS A REACTION AGAINST THE ASSASSIN.
Cp 41:11-18.
- An initiative for recovery, v11-12. There is a stirring of a spirit of war among the remnant. It is always encouraging to see among God’s people a reviving of the spirit of hostility to the enemy. There is a flicker of opposition to the evil spirit that Ishmael personified seen here. Sadly, it was not to lead to any real recovery and restoration of the cause of God.
- The captives are recovered, v13-14. The fate they faced in Ammon is averted. They are at least for now, spared this experience.
- Ishmael escapes to Ammon, v15. His true identity is finally exposed by the initiative to recover the captives he has taken. His loyalty lay with the enemy. How much preventable damage had been caused by Gedaliah not heeding the warning that had been given. Sadly, though now the previous warning is vindicated and proved correct, it is too late to accomplish much good.
- A new fear takes over, v16-18. The men who had led the campaign against Ishmael now lead in a new direction. At this point in the history of Judah we are down to the very dregs of godly influence in the land. What folly is mixed in with the little that is good remaining among the people. A new determination is made to go to Egypt. Ultimately, Jeremiah is going to get involved in warning against this intention and we will learn that it is the product of rebellion against God. Cp 42:19-22. The place where this determination is articulated has an interesting history, 2Sam 19:33-40. It is a reminder of the benefits of remaining faithful to the cause of God’s King in the day of his rejection. The cause of God will flourish again even though it faces days when infiltrators like Absalom and Ishmael rise to prominence and do great damage.
II A SHOW OF SEEKING GOD’S GUIDANCE WHEN THEY’D MADE UP THEIR OWN MINDS WHAT TO DO.
- Fine words, v2-3, 5-6. It takes more than fine words to be evidence of a genuine desire to want to do the will of God. Cp v19-20. How much religion consists only of words with no heart! Just 10 days later all is exposed. The Lord obviously revealed to him the true state of affairs. It is interesting to see how the Lord enlightens His servant to see through the deceit.
- Jeremiah’s faithfulness in the face of hypocrisy, v4. It does not lessen the responsibility of God’s servant to faithfully declare the truth of God when the people are false. Jeremiah takes their desire at face value until he learns different. Even when the cause of God is reduced very small there is a need for faithfulness on the part of His servants. Even when it becomes apparent that the people are not sincere he must declare the word of the Lord.
III JEREMIAH’S MESSAGE.
- A word of guidance with a promise to obedience, v9-12. It was the mind of the Lord that they stay in the land. This is where He had left them when the rest went into captivity. That in itself was a revelation of His purpose for them. To stay there would require them to trust Him to preserve and protect them.
- A rebellious objection answered in advance, v13-18. It was tempting to follow this course because of the apparent safety it offered from all that they feared, v14. It often seems much better to take our own destiny into our hands. Disobedience of God would bring serious consequences. The language is interesting because it indicates a resumption of the very same wrath they had faced previously in Judah! Cp v18—as…so…, 22, 24:10. By disobeying God they place themselves under the wrath they had been delivered from just months before.
- True to form, v21. The underlying spirit of rebellion is seen again. Nothing has changed!