Jeremiah 40:1-6 – Don’t neglect God’s Word

In Jeremiah 39:11-12, King Nebuchadnezzar gave an order to his captain Nebuzaradan to take Jeremiah and look after him. He was to ensure that no harm would come to him and to give him the liberty to decide on what he wanted. So Jeremiah was taken from the guardhouse in the court and placed under the protection of Gedaliah. Although Nebuchadnezzar ordered the release of Jeremiah, chapter 40:1-6 show that in the confusion of gathering the captives to be sent to Babylon, Jeremiah was not recognized, and was huddled and put under chains like the rest captives. When they realized their mistake, the captain had Jeremiah released.

Amazingly, a message from God came to the prophet through the lips of the captain of the guard. The words recorded in verses 2-3 are, “The Lord your God promised this calamity against this place; and the Lord has brought it on and done just as He promised. Because you people sinned against the Lord and did not listen to His voice, therefore this thing has happened to you.” A careful examination of what he said shows that they were exactly what Jeremiah had been proclaiming. The problem was that the people were too dense up there to receive what God was saying. Here even an ungodly Babylonian could see that their experiences were the Lord’s doing. If God could speak and warn through a donkey during Balaam’s time, he certainly could use an ungodly Babylonian to affirm His message. Discerning God’s word is important in life. God is speaking all the time through people and circumstances. It behooves us to cultivate a sensitivity to identify what the Lord is doing and saying to us through those events and experiences. None can indeed be so blind as one who refuses to see.

Realizing their mistake for taking Jeremiah along with the captives, the captain in verse 4 offered Jeremiah the choice of going with them to Babylon or remaining in Judah. Jeremiah chose the latter, so he remained in the homeland. He was also given the liberty to return to Gedaliah who was made the governor or to anywhere of his choice.  The captain also gave him a ration of provision for his sustenance as well as a gift and sent him along. Jeremiah then went to Gedaliah in Mizpah and stayed with him and among the remnant that Nebuchadnezzar did not deport to Babylon.   

It is undeniable that our predicament in life is often for the same reason as that of the Judeans in Jeremiah’s time. Even an ungodly Babylonian could see. The reason is stated in verse 3 said, “Because you people sinned against the Lord and did not listen to His voice, therefore this thing has happened to you.” We are thankful to God for the Bible that He had given to guide us in our Christian journey. Our problem is often not in rejecting the Word but in neglecting the Word. Here’s a word of caution – neglect of the Word is just as perilous as rejecting it.