Safety in Christ

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 40:1-16

 

Jeremiah 40:4

Now, behold, I release you today from the chains on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you well, but if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, do not come. See, the whole land is before you; go wherever you think it good and right to go.

(ESV)

 

In 2 Timothy 1:7, God lets us know that He has not given us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love, and soundness of mind. God’s Word also tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). However, is it a lack of faith for one to receive help from ungodly sources or people and to use common sense when warned about impending harm? Jeremiah 40:1-16 gives us an answer to this question.

 

Jeremiah receives a word from the Lord through an unusual source, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard. The word from the Lord gives Jeremiah a choice to either go with the people going to Babylon into exile or remain in Judah with the poor remaining there (Jeremiah 40:1-4). The choice of remaining in Judah seems to go against the previous word of the Lord issued by Jeremiah to go to Babylon for safety or die by the sword, famine, or pestilence in Judah (Jeremiah 38:2-3). However, the choice to stay comes with instructions to return to Gedaliah who was appointed governor by the king of Babylon over the people of Judah (Jeremiah 40:5). Jeremiah chooses to remain in Judah under the care of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:6).

 

Gedaliah is an unusual source of protection for Jeremiah and the poor remaining in Judah, and a leader committed to the men, women, and children he is appointed to govern (Jeremiah 40:7-8). Gedaliah also provides comfort for those remaining in Judah by telling them not to fear the Chaldeans and to serve the king of Babylon so all will go well with them (Jeremiah 40:9). Gedaliah also promises to remain in Mizpah as a representative for the people before the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 40:10). The concern for those in Judah demonstrated by Gedaliah is heard by the Judeans in Moab, among the Ammonites, and in Edom with them also returning to Judah (Jeremiah 40:11-12).

 

However, this peace and protection are threatened by a threat to the life of Gedaliah from Ismael (Jeremiah 40:13-14). When informed of this threat, Gedaliah chooses to ignore it and even denies Johanan permission to take out Ismael (Jeremiah 40:15). Gedaliah believes the word of a threat from Ishmael is false when it is true (Jeremiah 40:16-41:3).

 

Jeremiah chooses to remain in Judah with the remnant of the poorest people remaining there (Jeremiah 39:10). While these people had nothing to offer the king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan did give them vineyards and fields to sustain them while in Judah. Jeremiah’s choice to remain in Judah seems to go against the Word of the Lord to those in Judah, telling them to go into exile to find safety (Jeremiah 38:2-3). However, Jeremiah receives a word from the Lord through Nebuzaradan, offering Jeremiah a choice to remain in Judah or go into exile (Jeremiah 40:1-4). While not clear in scripture, it is possible Jeremiah knew of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who were going into exile, believing the exiles would continue to hear from the Lord in their captivity (Daniel 1:1-7). Based on this knowledge, Jeremiah may have chosen to remain in Judah and minister to the poor remaining in the land. This will become increasingly important after the execution of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:1-3).

 

There are three applications of this passage in the life of a believer today

 

1)     Safety in Christ (Jeremiah 40:1-6) – Although those obedient to the Lord will find protection by going into exile due to their disobedience, Jeremiah has remained obedient to the Lord and is given a choice of going into exile or remaining in Judah. Those obedient to the Lord may have a calling from God to do something that appears dangerous on the surface but when this calling is based upon a word of the Lord, one called by God can rest assured in God’s protection.

2)     Protection and resources from unusual sources (Jeremiah 40:7-12) – The king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah as governor of the cities of Judah (Jeremiah 40:5). While not a Jewish leader in Judah, he understands Jeremiah is a prophet from God and brings the word of the Lord, promising safety to Jeremiah and the remnant in Judah (Jeremiah 40:9-10). God may use unusual sources or people of the world to provide protection and resources for God’s people (Ezra 1; Mark 15:43; Nehemiah 2).

3)     Heeding warnings from the Lord (Jeremiah 40:13-16) – Gedaliah is involved in the good work of protecting the prophet Jeremiah and the remnant of poor remaining in Judah but receives word from Johanan regarding a threat to his life (Jeremiah 40:13-14). While having faith in God to provide protection is part of ministry, it does not mean one should ignore warnings of threats to their ministry or life. Taking precautions to ensure the protection of one’s life or ministry is not a sign of a lack of faith but instead wisdom. Paul understood this and used common sense when receiving word of a threat to his life (Acts 23:12-35).

 

As children of God, we have safety in Christ with God providing resources and protection from many sources but must not abandon common sense for the God of miracles we have faith in has also provided us with the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). If you are reading this and have not entered a life of safety in Christ through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.