R³ Devotional - Day 233

Gedaliah, appointed governor of Judah, foolishly ignored the warnings of assassination.  Ishmael, in the line of David, may have been angry that he had been passed over for leadership.  This is similar to the chaotic political situation that Ezra and Nehemiah faced when they returned to rebuild the temple and the city.  

In Chapter 41 we find that the 80 men came from three cities of the northern kingdom to worship in Jerusalem.  Ishmael probably killed them for the money and food they were carrying.  Without a king, with no law and no loyalty to God, Judah was subject to complete anarchy.  

Johanan and his group were already on their way to Egypt, headed south from Gibeon, stopping first at Geruth Chimham, near Bethlehem.  Their visit to Jeremiah (42: 1-6) was hypocritical, as Jeremiah later told them (42: 20).  

Chapter 42 reveals that Johanan and his associates spoke their own curse; Jeremiah merely elaborated on it.  It was a tragic mistake to ask for God’s guidance with no intention of following it.  Be sure never to ask God for something that you know in your heart you really do not want.  It is better not to pray than to pray hypocritically.  God cannot be deceived.  

In Chapter 43 Johanan and his tiny band had come to Jeremiah for God’s approval of their plan, not for God’s direction.  This is a recurring problem for many of us – seeking God’s approval of our desires rather than asking Him for guidance.  It’s not good to make plans unless we are willing to have God change them, and it is not good to pray unless we are willing to accept God’s answer.  

With Judah in turmoil after the murder of Gedaliah, the people turned to Jeremiah for guidance.  Jeremiah had God’s answer, “Stay in this land.”  But the leaders disobeyed and went to Egypt, taking Jeremiah with them.  In Egypt, Jeremiah told them they were in grave danger.  

After Jeremiah’s forced move to Egypt, there is no word in the Bible about the events in the rest of his life.  
Pharaoh Hophra ruled Egypt from 588 to 569 B.C. and was killed by Ahmose, one of his generals, who was then crowned in his place.  
Chapter 45 was written in 605 – 604 B.C.  Baruch was the scribe who recorded Jeremiah’s words on a scroll.  

Baruch had long been serving this unpopular prophet, writing this book of struggles and judgments, and now he was upset.  God told Baruch to take his eyes off himself and whatever rewards he thought he deserved.  If Baruch did this, God would protect him.  It is easy to lose the joy of serving our God when we take our eyes off Him.  The more we look away from God’s purposes toward our own sacrifices, the more frustrated we will become.  As you serve God, beware of focusing on what you are giving up.  When this happens, ask God’s forgiveness; then redirect your attention to the incomparable privilege of serving God.