Wed.’s Devo - Ishmael’s Uprising

Read: Jeremiah 39:1-41:18; 2 Timothy 1:1-18; Psalm 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 26:1-2 King Nebuchadnezzar did return and finish the job. His army besieged Jerusalem for two and a half years until they broke through the wall. Zedekiah and a few of his men tried to escape and were caught. They were taken to Nebuchadnezzar at Ribald and judged. Zedekiah had to watch as his sons were killed, then his eyes were gouged out. He was put in chains and taken to Babylon. *** Jerusalem was burned to the ground, but a few poor people were allowed to stay and take care of the land. Nebuchadnezzar had commanded Nebuzaradan, his army captain, to find Jeremiah and make sure he wasn’t hurt. He was to be given the choice of coming to Babylon where he would be well taken care of, or staying with his people in Judah. He opted to stay there and was given money and food. He was put in the care of Gedaliah who took Jeremiah to his home with him. Gedaliah was put in charge of the people who stayed in the land of Judah. (He was not the same Gedaliah who labeled Jeremiah a traitor.) *** The leaders of the Judean military went to meet Gadaliah at Mizpeh to listen to his plans. Several of them, lead by Ishmael planned to kill Gedaliah. Gedaliah was warned but didn’t believe it till it happened later that year. Ishmael also killed 70 of the 80 men who were coming to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. He made captives of all those left under Gedaliah’s care. *** When the other military officers led by Johanan heard about what Ishmael had done, they caught up with Ishmael and released the people and took them to the village of Geruth-kimham near Bethlehem. Ishmael and eight of his men escaped. They were all afraid of what Babylon would do to them once they found out what happened to Gedaliah. *** In Timothy’s second letter from Paul, he reminded him of the faith of Timothy’s grandmother. Paul saw that same faith in Timothy. He encouraged him to keep that faith alive and to be strong in the Lord. He must continue to teach the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. *** Paul informed him that Phygelus and Hermogenes had deserted him, but Onesiphorus had never been ashamed to visit him in prison. He prays that Christ would remember Onesiphorus’s kindness when He returns. *** Lord, you are a rewarder of those who are faithful to you and to your servants. May we remain ever faithful.