by It was scorching hot as the long journey began for the prisoners across the desert. Hundreds, thousands or more went in bondage. They thirsted and ached. All were watched by guards. Children and women cried and lamented like never before. Their homeland was vanishing in the distance behind them with each step they took towards Babylon.
Along with the prisoners was poor ole’ Jeremiah bound in chains and being led away with all the other prisoners. It was a most dismal day to say the least in Jerusalem and Judah. The Israelites had sinned, they knew it, they refused to follow God, and now they were paying the punishment for their sins. Who was stuck in the middle with them all? Jeremiah. He tried to warn them, he tried to lead them and advise them, but they wouldn’t listen. Now all would pay the price of bondage.
Jeremiah 40:1 “The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.”
Two main thoughts that the Lord showed me in chapter 40:1-6. If one has the time, read chapter 39 that leads up to these verses. I’ve also had a couple other posts about Jeremiah. If one has the time, please read “Walking the Talk” or “The Ethiopian Eunuch.”
Thought #1
We live our lives and do not think it matters what we do. We do not think our actions affect others. The world has many deceived in thinking, “We can do what we want, it is our life, and we can live how we’d like.” That thinking is so far from what the Bible teaches. Here is a simple example.
Imagine our parade of prisoners being led out of Jerusalem and Judah. Jeremiah is in the midst of the people. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard is with Jeremiah and talking with him. This was his words to Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 40:2-3 “And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The Lord thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place. 3 Now the Lord hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the Lord, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.”
Ouch! The world knew why the Israelites were losing everything. Babylon knew they had sinned against their God. Nebuzaradan made it a point of letting Jeremiah know that “ye have sinned against the Lord.”
The world is watching. Living the Christian life is not easy at times; but it is imperative that we strive to do the best we can and have a good Godly Christian testimony so we can influence our friends for Christ and see them saved. Remember, the world is watching. Babylon knew the Israelites had “…sinned against the Lord.”
Thought #2
This was really my main thought, but in reviewing the verses, God showed me thought #1, so I tossed that in as a bonus. Now, let us get back to Jeremiah.
The whole parade of prisoners is walking to Babylon and Jeremiah is in chains. Nebuzaradan is with them and close by Jeremiah. Personally, I think there was something different in Jeremiah that intriqued Nebuzaradan; so, I believe that is why Nebuzaradan was walking with and talking with Jeremiah. Of course, we know what that something different was – Nebuzaradan could see the presence of God in Jeremiah’s life – even while he (Jeremiah) was in chains.
Along the dusty, desert road they went. Now Nebuzaradan was to give Jeremiah a choice. Actually, several choices. First, he took away his chains.
Jeremiah 40:4 “And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand…”
Choice #1 Nebuzaradan asked Jeremiah to come with him and he would look well after him.
Jeremiah 40:4 “…If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee…”
Choice #2 Or, Nebuzaradan told him to go where you wish to go anywhere in the land.
Jeremiah 40:4 “…but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.”
Choice #3 Or, Nebuzaradan told Jeremiah he could go back with Gedaliah whom the King of Babylon had made governor over the cities of Judah and the remnant of people (the poor, sick, etc) that had not been led away captive.
Jeremiah 40:5 “…Go back also to Gedaliah…and dwell with him among the people…”
Choice #4 Nebuzaradan reminded Jeremiah he could go anywhere he wished.
Jeremiah 40:5 “…or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go…”
Next, Nebuzaradan even gave Jeremiah food and money.
Jeremiah 40:5 “…So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward and let him go.”
Now, Jeremiah was standing, I believe alone from the people in the parade, with a big decision in life.
- Would he go to Babylon and be treated very well? Nebuzaradan had said, “I will look well unto thee…” This choice looked very appealing. Isn’t that what the world does? It makes choices against God’s Word look appealing.
- Would he go back to the people who had treated him so poorly and threw him into the dungeon? Would he go back to those who would not listen to him and God’s advice?
- Would he go anywhere in the world? Another appealing choice. Hmmm. Now what? He had food and money and was now able to go FREE! What would he do?
You guessed it! He went back with the Israelites that were left behind in the Judah. I have to admit, “I do not know if that would have been my choice. I do not know think I could have gone back to people who had treated me so poorly. But, we are all human and the appeal of the world can be so convincing at times. I think I would have chosen freedom and went in a new direction. What would you have chosen?”
The appeal of the world is strong and even the strongest of Christians can fail and I have seen them fail. But do not be too hard on the ones that fail. I have also seen people mock and scorn those who have failed and months or years later the ones who mocked those who failed God – failed God in the same way or even in a worse manner. Thankfully Jeremiah did not fail. He followed God’s advice.
We can all easily fail God if we are not careful. We have to guard ourselves constantly from the wiles of the Devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil
.”
So, next time one is faced with a decision in life, especially those big life-changing decisions – think about Jeremiah. We women can easily make bad decisions in times that our emotions are amuck. When we are in our emotional roller-coaster – think about Jeremiah. Use his story to help one calm down, seek God’s wisdom and make choices that are God fearing and not worldly appealing.
