S) "15 Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke secretly to Gedaliah in Mizpah, saying, 'Let me go and kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and not a man will know! Why should he take your life, so that all the Jews who are gathered to you would be scattered and the remnant of Judah would perish?' 16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, 'Do not do this thing, for you are telling a lie about Ishmael.'"
Jeremiah 40:15-16 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Jeremiah 40
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Jeremiah 40
O) In this chapter, the city of Jerusalem has already fallen, and most of the people have been taken into exile. However, Jeremiah was allowed the option to go wherever he chose, whether to Babylon, or remaining in Jerusalem, or else to go to any other city of Judah, all of which were conquered by the Chaldeans (this was allowed because Nebuzaradan apparently understood the prophecies regarding Judah, see vv.2-4). So, Jeremiah elected to go join Gedaliah in Mizpah, who had been appointed to govern the people left in Judah. Now, the leadership that was left (and there are several named in v.8) were some of the princes of Judah (i.e., leaders from the previous government, including royalty, but not necessarily). So, Gedaliah was a Jew, elected by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, to govern the Jews in the name of Babylon. This is something akin to the tax collectors of Jesus' time. They also were Jews working for an oppressive government, seemingly against their own countrymen. So, when Ishmael saw that Gedaliah intended to comply with their conquerors (see vv.9-10), he decided to rebel. Johanan learned of this planned rebellion, this planned murder, and tried to warn Gedaliah, even offering a "preemptive counterstrike" of sorts, but Gedaliah was not convinced. That doubt cost him his life.
A) The most compelling thing about this story, is the motive of Gedaliah. He said, "Do not do this thing," which surely seems justified. A preemptive counterstrike, murdering someone who hasn't actually committed a crime, yet - that seems wrong indeed. However, he didn't say, "Do not do this thing, this would be murder on our part. We need a different solution." So, his actions were morally correct, but practically unwise. That is the warning I must take away from this. There are actions which are morally correct, but if they are done with the wrong motive, foolish motives, they can still cost me dearly. This is why it is imperative that I am following the lead of the Holy Spirit, that I am listening to wise counsel, and that I am asking God for all wisdom when it comes to the decisions I make in life. I am certain and thankful, that God can redeem any circumstance (promised in Romans 8:28). But, that doesn't mean I want Him to pick up the pieces of a disaster, if the disaster is indeed avoidable.
P) Father, thank You for the grace You have shown me, and continue to show me. The nature of grace is that I do not deserve it, obviously, but I am continually humbled when I think about the ways in which You reveal Your grace to me. Even now, I am facing big decisions in my life. The impact of those decisions is far-reaching. So, I continue to humble myself before You, Lord. Have Your way in my life. Let Your will be done. Please lead me, give me wisdom, open my eyes and ears. Let me follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. Open the doors that should be open, and close the doors that should be closed. I choose Your ways, Lord. I trust You, that You are able to redeem my lack of wisdom, my lack of foresight, but I'd much rather avoid foolish mistakes if it is at all possible. So, let Your will prevail in my life. Let me be obedient to Your commands, and wise with my choices. Help me discern between truth and lies. Let me find the best course of action. But, failing that, thank You for Your ever-present grace. Thank You that Your grace is bigger than any mistake I could make. Be glorified in my life, in both the providence and redemption You show Your servant. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) The most compelling thing about this story, is the motive of Gedaliah. He said, "Do not do this thing," which surely seems justified. A preemptive counterstrike, murdering someone who hasn't actually committed a crime, yet - that seems wrong indeed. However, he didn't say, "Do not do this thing, this would be murder on our part. We need a different solution." So, his actions were morally correct, but practically unwise. That is the warning I must take away from this. There are actions which are morally correct, but if they are done with the wrong motive, foolish motives, they can still cost me dearly. This is why it is imperative that I am following the lead of the Holy Spirit, that I am listening to wise counsel, and that I am asking God for all wisdom when it comes to the decisions I make in life. I am certain and thankful, that God can redeem any circumstance (promised in Romans 8:28). But, that doesn't mean I want Him to pick up the pieces of a disaster, if the disaster is indeed avoidable.
P) Father, thank You for the grace You have shown me, and continue to show me. The nature of grace is that I do not deserve it, obviously, but I am continually humbled when I think about the ways in which You reveal Your grace to me. Even now, I am facing big decisions in my life. The impact of those decisions is far-reaching. So, I continue to humble myself before You, Lord. Have Your way in my life. Let Your will be done. Please lead me, give me wisdom, open my eyes and ears. Let me follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. Open the doors that should be open, and close the doors that should be closed. I choose Your ways, Lord. I trust You, that You are able to redeem my lack of wisdom, my lack of foresight, but I'd much rather avoid foolish mistakes if it is at all possible. So, let Your will prevail in my life. Let me be obedient to Your commands, and wise with my choices. Help me discern between truth and lies. Let me find the best course of action. But, failing that, thank You for Your ever-present grace. Thank You that Your grace is bigger than any mistake I could make. Be glorified in my life, in both the providence and redemption You show Your servant. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment