Immerse: Prophets - Flipbook - Page 290
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IMMERSE
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PROPHETS
39:17–40:12
The Lord had given the following message to Jeremiah while he was still
in prison: “Say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, ‘This is what the Lord of
Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: I will do to this city everything
I have threatened. I will send disaster, not prosperity. You will see its de
struction, but I will rescue you from those you fear so much. Because you
trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep
you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken!’”
The Lord gave a message to Jeremiah after Nebuzaradan, the captain of
the guard, had released him at Ramah. He had found Jeremiah bound in
chains among all the other captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were
being sent to exile in Babylon.
The captain of the guard called for Jeremiah and said, “The Lord your
God has brought this disaster on this land, just as he said he would. For
these people have sinned against the Lord and disobeyed him. That is
why it happened. But I am going to take off your chains and let you go. If
you want to come with me to Babylon, you are welcome. I will see that you
are well cared for. But if you don’t want to come, you may stay here. The
whole land is before you—go wherever you like. If you decide to stay, then
return to Gedal iah son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan. He has been
appointed governor of Judah by the king of Babylon. Stay there with the
people he rules. But it’s up to you; go wherever you like.”
Then Nebuz aradan, the captain of the guard, gave Jeremiah some food
and money and let him go. So Jeremiah returned to Gedaliah son of Ahi
kam at Mizpah, and he lived in Judah with the few who were still left in
the land.
The leaders of the Judean military groups in the countryside heard that
the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam as governor
over the poor people who were left behind in Judah—the men, women,
and children who hadn’t been exiled to Babylon. So they went to see Ged
aliah at Mizpah. These included: Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and
Jonathan sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the
Netophat hite, Jezan iah son of the Maacathite, and all their men.
Gedaliah vowed to them that the Babylonians meant them no harm.
“Don’t be afraid to serve them. Live in the land and serve the king of Bab
ylon, and all will go well for you,” he promised. “As for me, I will stay at
Mizpah to represent you before the Babylonians who come to meet with
