Read: Jeremiah 39:1-41:18; 2 Timothy 1:1-18; Psalms 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 26:1-2
God gave Zedekiah over two years to surrender to the Babylonians as Jeremiah had told him to, and he refused. When the Babylonians broke through the wall, Zedikiah, his sons and officials tried to escape, only to be caught. Zedekiah was made to witness the murder of his sons then have his eyes gouged out before he was taken to Babylon. Jerusalem was set on fire and the people were taken captive also. Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard was left behind to rule the poor people who owned nothing. They were given the land, the vineyards and the fields.
Nebuzaradan had been given orders from Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon to look after Jeremiah and make sure no harm came to him. Jeremiah was to have anything he asked. He got to go home in Mizpeh to live with his own people. He stayed with Gedaliah who was made the governor over the land by the Babylonians. When the people that had been scattered found out that Gedaliah was the governor, they came back to live as a family. Gedaliah gave them a speech assuring them that they would be fine under Babylonian rule. Everything was fine and they brought in a great harvest.
But, there was an adversary named Ishmael, son of Nethaniah who had plans to kill Gedaliah and usurp his office. Gedaliah was warned and even offered safety, but he didn’t believe it. He should have because Ishmael came in and killed Gedaliah and his men and took over making captive of all the people in Mizpah.
Johanan heard what had happened and went to rescue the people. He caught up with Ishmael and recovered all the people.
God watched over this remnant of people blessing them and protecting them. The remnant stands for the ones who remain faithful when it is not popular or safe. God will always take care of them.
Paul was constantly encouraging Timothy not to fear. He reminded him of the gift that God had given him as a child and encouraged him to grow in it. He told him that God didn’t give him a spirit of fear and timidity, but power, love and self-discipline.
Lord, you are our refuge and our help. We run to You.
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