Jeremiah 40 “A Losing Battle”

Jeremiah 40 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:                                                            

• Another In The Fire by Hillsong UNITED & TAYA
• Hillsong UNITED – Lead Me To The Cross
• Cody Carnes – Firm Foundation (He Won’t)

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Choosing Right vs. Wrong (Fruit of the Spirit) – 5 Minute Family Devotional | Bible Stories for Kids – Shorter Lesson for Younger Kids
• “Choosing What’s Right” | Bible Lessons for Kids – Longer Lesson for Older Kids
• Let’s Get A Little Crazy | Kingdom Rock VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• I Will Not Be Afraid | Roar VBS | Outback Rock VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• I Sing the Mighty Power of God | Everest VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

In Jeremiah 39:11–14, we read the account of Jeremiah being released by Nebuchadnezzar’s command. Chapter 40 gives a more detailed description of what happened at that time.

Once Jeremiah became a free man, he was swept up in the chaos and ended up among the captives being taken to Babylon. Nebuzaradan learned of this and went to Ramah, where the captives were gathered, to find him (v. 1). Nebuzaradan told him that he could choose freely whether to go with him to Babylon or stay in the land of Judah (vv. 2–4). Hearing this, Jeremiah hesitated for a moment. Then Nebuzaradan added that if he stayed in the land of Judah, Gedaliah—who had been appointed governor—would take care of him (v. 5). Hearing this, Jeremiah returned to the land of Judah, sought out Gedaliah, and lived among the people who remained (v. 6).

Meanwhile, the Judean military commanders who had fled into the fields heard the news that Gedaliah had been appointed governor and went to Mizpah to see him (vv. 7–8). Gedaliah encouraged them to fulfill their obligations as a vassal of Babylon and to settle down and live in the land of Judah (vv. 9–10). Jews who had fled to surrounding countries to escape the war also heard that Gedaliah had become governor, so they returned to their homeland (vv. 11–12).

After some time, the military commanders came to Gedaliah and informed him that the king of Ammon was plotting to have him assassinated through Ishmael. But Gedaliah did not believe their report. Later, Johanan—one of the commanders—came privately to the governor and requested permission to strike Ishmael down (vv. 13–15). Gedaliah refused, insisting that Ishmael would never do such a thing, and he restrained Johanan (v. 16).

Meditation:

The editor of the Book of Jeremiah introduces Gedaliah each time by saying, “Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the grandson of Shaphan.” His grandfather Shaphan was a scribe who helped lead King Josiah’s religious reforms (2 Kings 22). His father Ahikam protected Jeremiah during King Jehoiakim’s reign when Jeremiah faced threats of being killed by the people (Jer. 26:24). This means that Gedaliah’s family served in high government positions for three generations. Among the officials, they were part of the small number of devout people who were sensitive to God’s word.

For that reason, King Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah as governor. This was because he trusted Jeremiah’s prophecy and was favorable toward Babylon. Gedaliah likely believed that his responsibility was to care for the people who remained in the land of Judah until God judged Babylon and brought the people of Judah back. Unfortunately, he was too kind and sincere to be an effective political leader. Even though the military commanders repeatedly warned him about Ishmael, he refused to believe them. It was because he assumed others were like him. As a result, only two months after becoming governor, he was assassinated (Jeremiah 41), and the people who had gathered around him in trust were scattered.

In the real world, we see people like Gedaliah—those with good intentions—being used or harmed by those with evil intentions. Those who live rightly, honestly, and morally according to their conscience are dismissed as naive, while those who practice injustice, lies, and evil gain influence. The contradictory reality that Asaph confessed three thousand years ago (Psalm 73) has only become worse today. In such a world, striving to live according to God’s will—holy, righteous, and good—is, in itself, a form of carrying the cross.

Prayer:

Lord, as You have commanded, we take up our cross and follow You. Just as it was for You, Lord, carrying the cross is often heavy for us. At times, in a world where everyone seems to live however, they please, we feel as if we alone are crushed under the weight of the cross. When that happens, warm our hearts with the truth that we have been called to “fill up the sufferings that remain for Christ,” and help us fight well this “losing battle.” Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Even when the world feels unfair and people with good hearts seem to “lose,” God sees our faithfulness. Choosing what is right—even when it is hard—is part of carrying the cross with Jesus.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • Have you ever tried to do the right thing even when others didn’t? How did it feel?
  • Why do you think God wants us to keep doing good even when it feels hard?
  • Who is someone you know who is kind and honest like Gedaliah? How can you be like them this week?
    
• Youth:
  • Why do good people sometimes get hurt or misunderstood, like Gedaliah?
  • Where in your own life does doing the right thing feel like a “losing battle”?
  • What does it look like to carry your cross at school, home, or online—in a practical, everyday way?