Gedaliah is murdered

JEREMIAH     CHAPTER 41

In midautumn, Ishmael, son of Nethaniah and grandson of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family, arrived n Mizpah accompanied by ten men. Governor Gedaliah invited them to dinner and while they ate, Ishmael and his men drew swords and killed Gedaliah. Then they went out and slaughtered all the Judeans officials and Babyloniah soldiers who were with Gedaliah.

The next day, before anyone knew about the murder, eighty men from Shechem, Shiloh and Samaria arrived to worship at the Temple. Their heads were shaved and their clothes torn and they had cut themselves and brought offerings and incense. Ishmael met them weeping and said, "Oh, come and see what has happened to Gedaliah."

As soon as the worshipers were in town, Ishmael killed all but ten of them and threw their bodies in a cistern. The other ten talked Ishmael into letting them go by promising to bring him their stores of wheat, barley, oil and honey that they had hidden. Meanwhile, Ishmael made captives of the king's daughters and other people who had been left under Gedaliah's care and he started back toward the land of Ammon with the captives.

When Johanan and the other guerilla leaders heard what Ishmael had done, they took all their men and set out to stop him. They caught him at the pool near Gibeon. All the captives escaped and began to help Johanan, but Ishamel and eight of his men escaped into the land of Ammon.

Then Johanan and his officers led all the people they had rescued, to the village of Geruth-kimham near Bethlehem where they prepared to leave for Egypt. They were afraid of what the Babylonians would do when they heard Ishmael had killed Gedaliah.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Without a king and with no law or loyalty to God, Judah was still subject to complete anarchy

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Hard to relate violence and anarchy in our times, isn' t it? Or do we realize it takes place on a daily basis in many countries like those in African nations. It seems there are always bullies of great dimension. Leaders who put their agenda first in spite of the needs of the people. Do you think we will ever see a peace in all nations? Probably not until the word of God is planted like a holy seed in all reaches of the world. Can we help this happen? Yes, by starting with our own community. Make your leaders accountable. Make your deeds based upon God's love. Make it even simpler: love your neighbor!

Yours in Christ,
Mary


Prayer Requests are needed for:

HEALTH:

Pray for my grandson and new baby Gunar who was born with kidney problems.

Pray for Gabe.

Pray for Gary and Steve my insurance men who have prostate cancer.

Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.

Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.

Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.

Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.

Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.

Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who has been undergoing chemo. Pray also for Charly who longs to be 100 percent again and walk without an aid.

Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary

RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian

SUPPORT: Pray for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom. Pray for our famers and those who raise livestock during this terrible drought.