Jeremiah 40
AOSNJeremiah 40:1-6
This passage explains what happened to Jeremiah right after Jerusalem fell.
Jeremiah 40:2-3
The guard captain mentioned that the Lord's prediction through Jeremiah had come true.
Jeremiah 40:6
Gedaliah set up his new headquarters in Mizpah, which is eight miles north of the destroyed Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 40:7-12
The new government was organized under Gedaliah, who came from a high-ranking family. His grandfather, Shaphan, had given King Josiah the scroll of the law that started a reformation (2 Kings 22:10). Gedaliah’s father, Ahikam, held a high position among Jehoiakim’s officials and saved Jeremiah’s life (Jeremiah 26:24).
Jeremiah 40:7-8
News quickly spread among the Judean guerrilla groups and the poor people left behind about Gedaliah's appointment as governor. A small group of guerrilla leaders arranged to meet with Gedaliah to understand his plans better.
Jeremiah 40:9-10
Gedaliah tried to convince the Judean fighters that living peacefully under Babylonian rule would lead to prosperity.
Jeremiah 40:11-12
The new governor's promises encouraged the people of Judah, who had fled to nearby countries, to return to their land. The mention of a great harvest shows that the Babylonians did not destroy the crops when they attacked Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 40:14
Ammon was a small highland nation east of the Jordan Valley.
Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, was of royal descent (2 Kings 25:25).
Jeremiah 40:16
Gedaliah's response showed his naivety and the distrust in advisers that affected the entire chaotic situation.
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