Jeremiah 40:7-12 – Relating to governmental authority

Having conquered Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar deported many of Jews into exile in Babylon. There were men, women, and children and the poorest of the land whom he did not take to Babylon. Jeremiah 40:7 tells us that he appointed Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, and put him in charge of those who were left behind. As governor of Judah, Gedaliah sought to put things in order. He began to restore peace to make the place more liveable.

Knowing that it was futile to resist the Babylonians, Gedaliah advised the people, both farmers and military men who came to him to settle down and not rebel. His counsel to them in verse 9 was, “Do not be afraid of serving the Chaldeans; stay in the land and serve the king of Babylon, that it may go well with you.”

Verse 10-12 tell us that he stayed in Mizpah to represent them before the Chaldeans and he urged them to get going to restore the damaged land and make those agricultural land productive again.  The remnants were encouraged to live peacefully under the rule of the Babylonians. When news that Nebuchadnezzar had left a remnant in Judah and made Gedaliah governor of the land, Jews who had deflected to the surrounding countries returned to Judah. Whether they returned from Edom, Ammon, and Moab Gedaliah welcomed them. Under his leadership, Judah experienced some semblance of peace and order and begin to be productive again.   

This passage offers us lessons on why and how we should respect the governmental authority God had set over us. Just like Gedaliah’s advice to the Jews to submit to the ruling power of their day, we too must submit to the governmental authority God has placed over us here in our nation. Here are some pointers for our consideration as we seek to live peaceful and godly lives under God. Firstly, recognize that the human government of nations is ordained by God. Leaders in government are the ministers of God, the ultimate authority. No power can be in place without His approval.  Secondly, in opposing any governmental authority allowed by God, we will be indirectly resisting God. Thirdly, governments are ordained by God to ensure peace and order, and we should have no fear if we do not break the laws. We must seek to take heed to the words of Romans 13:7, “Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” There is much more that can be said, but we must keep a clear conscience and “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s to God what is God’s.”