The Capture of Jerusalem & the Release of Jeremiah

We finally arrive at the capture of Jerusalem. What we will see in the next few chapters is the events surrounding the fall of the city and what takes place after that. We will see that Jeremiah is vindicated after about 40 years of preaching to the people. For the sake of putting these chapters in order chronologically we’re going to jump around a little. I think that will help us understand the text a little easier.

1. God rewards Ebed-melech (39:15-18).

He was the eunuch who was responsible for Jeremiah’s release from the cistern (38:7-13). Apart from the kindness of this Ethiopian Jeremiah would have died. What happens here precedes verses 1-14. Verses 15-18 serve as a reminder that God has not forgotten the actions of this Gentile. How Jeremiah spoke to Ebed-melech while he was imprisoned, we’re not sure. But as a member of the royal household this man would have probably had access to the area Jeremiah was being kept in. Let’s look at the message Jeremiah was to tell this man who saved his life:

You will see the city destroyed (16)

God will save you (17).

You will not be deported to Babylon (17)

Your trust in the Lord is what has spared you (18).

Ebed-melech believed the Word of God as spoken through Jeremiah. His faith in the Lord led him to help Jeremiah and ultimately led to his own salvation. This Gentile trusted in the Lord more than the Jewish people did. His faith and actions should be recognized as heroic.

God often uses unlikely people. The only prerequisite for service to the Lord is faith in the Lord. If we will believe God will do great things through us and for us. Faith in the Lord was just as important under the Old Covenant as it is in the new.

2. The city is taken (39:1-10).

To put the dates in our terms, the siege lasted from about January of 588 BC to about July of 586 BC. For thirty months the Babylonians wreaked havoc on the city. Finally, the Babylonians entered the city through a breach in the wall and conquered it. Babylonian officials set up office in the middle of the city in what was called the Middle Gate. Several Babylonian officers are listed by name. I’m not going to embarrass myself trying to pronounce them. The descriptions of the officials show that they were of great importance and high rank.

Rab-saris means chief officer.

Rab-mag means chief magi.

The presence of these men sitting in the middle of the city shows that Jerusalem is no longer a threat. The city is conquered, and Babylon has set up headquarters there.

In verses 4-8 we see an escape attempt by King Zedekiah. He and many of his soldiers fled when they saw the Babylonians had gained entrance. They left by cover of night through a gate. They were headed in the direction of Jericho. We can’t be sure where they were going but it is likely they had a plan.

The Babylonian army caught up to them and what happens next is testimony to the brutality of ancient warfare. They brought the group to Riblah where Nebuchadnezzar. Riblah was located on a highway between Egypt and Mesopotamia. This was a very strategic place for Babylon to execute their war against Judah. The king and his company then stood trial before Nebuchadnezzar. His punishment was quick and brutal:

He killed Zedekiah’s sons.

He killed the nobles that were with Zedekiah.

He gouged out the eyes of Zedekiah.

Back in Jerusalem he destroyed the palace and other buildings in the city.

He broke down the walls of Jerusalem.

King Zedekiah was taken in chains to Babylon along with many of the people in Jerusalem. They are led by a man named Nebuzaradan. His name means “Chief Butcher”. This man was a killer. Look at the people he took with him to Babylon:

The rest of the people

Those who had deserted to the Babylonians.

In verses 9-10 we see he didn’t take everyone. The text tells us he left the poor people. He even gave them vineyards and fields to work. These were people who likely never had anything in life. The Babylonians probably did not see them as a threat. They needed to leave someone behind to work the land and perhaps provide food for their own soldiers. Maybe they thought these poor people would be grateful for what they had done for them. We can’t be sure of their motive. But what was left behind was the poorest of the poor.

3. Jeremiah is released (39:11-14; 40:1-6).

The release of Jeremiah from prison is recorded in 39:11-14 and in 40:1-6. Chapter 39 gives a summary of the release while chapter 40 gives us more details. For that reason, we will look at these two sections together. The question that arises is how did Jeremiah get from the court of the guard in Jerusalem to Ramah?

It appears that Jeremiah was immediately released from prison by Nebuchadnezzar. Afterwards he was mistakenly gathered up with many of the Jews who were being deported. Once he was recognized he was released again. This helps us harmonize the two accounts of his release found in chapters 39 and 40. Now let’s look at some details concerning his release from prison:

Nebuchadnezzar wanted Jeremiah protected. Look at 39: 11-12 and you can see that.

The work of Jeremiah was known to the Babylonians. Look at 40:2-3. This Babylonian officer told Jeremiah the prophetic message he had been preaching for 40 years. The leaders in Babylon had heard by the testimony of other Jews that Jeremiah had been trying to get the Jewish people to surrender. He had been telling them this was the Lord’s will.

Jeremiah was treated very well by the Babylonians (40:4). He is given the choice to return to his own land or go to Babylon. If he chose to go to Babylon, he would enjoy the protection of the Babylonian army. The truth is Jeremiah would have probably been safer in Babylon than in Jerusalem. Jeremiah enjoyed more freedom than any of the Jews at that point in history.

Jeremiah was allowed to return to Gedaliah’s house (40:5). Gedaliah was the appointed governor of Judah. Staying here would give him security and privileges enjoyed by only a few. This is ultimately what Jeremiah chose to do. Living among the people would allow Jeremiah to participate in the building up of the nation once again. He would remain in Jerusalem preaching the Word and encouraging the people in godliness.

Jeremiah was promised provisions (5). What was given to Jeremiah other than food we don’t know. It was probably money. The language could describe an ongoing gift used for Jeremiah to live on a continuous basis with.

4. Gedaliah’s appointment encourages Jewish soldiers and refugees (40:7-12).

Not every Jewish person was in Jerusalem when the city was taken. Some soldiers were likely stationed in areas outside the city “open country” (7) and some civilians were able to escape the city. When some of the officers heard of Gedaliah’s appointment they sought him out. The fact that the Babylonians had allowed some of the poorest Jews to remain in the land gave them some hope.

Gedaliah assured the people that it was in their best interest to serve Babylon. Ironically, this was the same message Jeremiah had been preaching for years. However, now they thought it might be a good idea. Gedaliah promised he would represent the people well (10). He encourages them to gather all the food they need and dwell in the respective cities they had settled in.

Once these officers settled in certain cities others started joining them. These were Jewish refugees who had managed to escape. The food they gathered was likely wild food found in the countryside outside of the cities. It appeared things were already turning around for the people. However, something unforeseen was about to happen that would interrupt their hope.

5. A plot to kill Gedaliah is discovered (40:13-16).

Some of Gedaliah’s officers caught wind of the plot and took the information to him (13). The King of Ammon, Baalis, was the schemer. Why did he want Gedaliah dead? It doesn’t say. Maybe he wanted that land for himself. He found a good partner in Ishmael. Ishmael had been one of the officers who initially approached Gedaliah. However, Ishmael may have been upset that Gedaliah was ruling when he himself was of the Davidic line (41:1). Perhaps he thought he should be on the throne. With Gedaliah removed, perhaps he could be.

Gedaliah refused to believe the information brought to him. Perhaps it didn’t make sense. Why would anyone want to kill him? They were in the best possible situation concerning the circumstances. As well he probably considered Ishmael a patriot and friend. He dismissed the intelligence brought to him by the officers.

Johanan would not let it go. He went secretly to Gedaliah with a plan. He would kill Ishmael secretly and no one would know that he did it. Johanan is convinced of the plot against Gedaliah. Look what he says in verse 15. He asks “Why should he take your life so that all the Judeans who are gathered about you would be scattered and the remnant of Judah would perish?”

Johanan could not see risking the entire community. He thought it was too much of a risk. If a ruler appointed by the Babylonians were assassinated that could rouse the wrath of the Babylonians. The Jewish people did not want to face that army again. The problem could be solved, and Johanan was willing to do the hard work. Johanan is putting his own life on the line because he loves his country.

Look at how Gedaliah responds to Johanan. He calls him a liar in verse 16. He refuses to believe the information. Sadly, sometimes in life we believe the wrong people. And in believing the wrong people we protect the wrong people. That was the case with Gedaliah.

Some Thoughts to Consider

1. When we do what is right God is aware.

2. Those who ignore the Word of God will have to face the consequences.

3. Never take for granted those God sends your way.

4. Be careful to believe the right people.