July 23, 2020

This passage might be difficult to understand if the full context has not been given. Leading up to this passage, Judah (which contains Jerusalem) had been taken over by the Babylonians. When this happened, some of the people of Judah stayed in the city. Our chapter describes a rebellion that takes place from a man of Judah. 

When the Babylonians took over, they put Gedaliah in charge of the region of Judah. At the end of chapter 40, Johanan warns Gedaliah that Ishmael wants to kill him. Gedaliah tells Johanan that he is wrong. Gedaliah ends up being wrong because chapter 41 is about Ishmael killing Gedaliah and then what he does afterward. 

You are probably wondering why this matters? Ishmael has done a wicked thing and not listened to the Lord. Ishmael tried to take things into his own hands and get rid of the Babylonians. The problem is that this was not a part of God’s plan. If you remember in Jeremiah 29:10, God says, “When seventy years are completed for Babylon..”, thus meaning that Babylon is to rule for 70 years. Ishmael acted out against who God had appointed to rule over Judah at that time. 

For us, many times we believe we can fix things ourselves. We will take everyday matters into our own hands (whether big or small). This is not how it is supposed to be. God has created, planned, and ordained the events in our lives. We need to take all problems to the one who has all answers. And we have to be alright with the answers that He gives us because He knows better than us. During many of these tough times, we need faith. Faith that God has a plan and faith that God will work everything for His people. 

By: Brice Stockton — Student Ministry Associate