Chapter 40
Jeremiah’s release and the princes’ plots
Lecture 1
Jeremiah released from chains
40:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord , after he was sent by Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard from Ramah, when he took him bound with chains in the midst of all those who went from Jerusalem and Judah, and were led to Babylon.
40:2 Therefore, when the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, he said to him, ‘The Lord your God spoke this evil against this place.
40:3 And the Lord has brought it, and done as he said, because you have sinned against the Lord , and did not listen to his voice. And this word has been done to you.
40:4 Now, therefore, I release you from the chains that are upon your hands. If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I shall set my eyes upon you. But if it displease you to come with me to Babylon, stay. Behold, the whole land is before you. Whatever you shall choose, and to whatever place it shall please you to go, go there.
40:5 And do not come with me, but dwell with Gedaliah, the son of Ahicam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon set over the cities of Judah. Dwell, therefore, with him in the midst of the people, or to whichever place it shall please you to go, go.’ And the captain of the guard gave him also food and small gifts and sent him away.
40:6 Now, Jeremiah came to Gedaliah, the son of Ahicam, in Mizpah, and dwelt with him in the midst of the people who had been left in the land.
206 . Having spoken of the destruction of the city and the captivity of the people, he speaks of the well-being of the remnant.
First, the gathering of the people together is mentioned;
second, the disturbance of the congregation: and it came to pass in the seventh month (Jer 41:1).
Concerning the first, there are two points.
First, the congregation is spoken of;
second, the revelation of certain plots, which were disrupting the peace of the people, at but Johanan, the son of Kareah (Jer 40:13).
Concerning the former, there are three points.
First, the congregation of the people is spoken of with regard to the prophet;
second, with regard to the princes, at and when all the captains of the army had heard . . . there came to Gedaliah (Jer 40:7);
third, with regard to the people, at moreover, when all the Jews (Jer 40:11).
Concerning the first, there are four points.
First, the announcement of liberation is mentioned: the word which came to Jeremiah . Since no message follows, it is understood that by this word is first revealed what later is related as being fulfilled by action. He heard the poor, and did not despise his captives (Ps 68:34).
Second, the liberation of the prophet is spoken of: therefore, when the captain of the guard took Jeremiah . And he gives the reason—namely, the truthfulness of the prophet: the Lord your God spoke , by you. Is there any evil in the city which the Lord has not done? (Amos 3:6).
And he speaks of the liberation: now, therefore, I release you from the chains . He led them out of darkness, and the shadow of death, and broke their chains asunder (Ps 106:14).
Third, the option is given to him of going to Babylon, or remaining with Gedaliah, or going wherever he pleases: if it pleases . Behold, the land is before you (Gen 13:9). I shall lead you by the paths of equity, which when you have entered, your steps shall not be straightened, and when you run you shall not meet a stumbling block (Prov 4:11–12).
And the provision made for him is mentioned: the captain of the guard gave him also food . From the eater went forth food, and from the strong sweetness (Jud 14:14).
Fourth, the choice of the prophet is given: now, Jeremiah came to Gedaliah . Therefore, he did not go to Chaldea, because they had Daniel and Ezekiel for their consolation. He has sent me to bring good tidings to the humble, to heal the broken-hearted, and to preach release to the captives, and an opening to those who are shut up; that I should preach the year pleasing to the Lord, and the day of vengeance for our God; that I should console all those who mourn, and give consolation to all the mourners of Zion (Isa 61:1–2).
Lecture 2
Assembly of the princes
40:7 And when all the captains of the army, who were scattered through the countryside, they and their companions, had heard that the king of Babylon had set Gedaliah, the son of Ahicam, over the land, and that he had entrusted to him the men, and the women, and the little ones, and some of the poor of the land, who had not been taken to Babylon,
40:8 there came to Gedaliah in Mizpah, Ishmael, the son of Nathaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan, the sons of Kareah, and Saraiah, the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah, the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.
40:9 And Gedaliah, the son of Ahicam, the son of Shaphan, swore to them, and to their companions, saying, ‘Do not fear to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
40:10 Behold, I dwell in Mizpah, that I may give answer to the command of the Chaldeans, who are sent to us. But you, gather the vintage, and the harvest, and the oil, and store it in your vessels, and remain in your cities, which you hold.’
40:11 Moreover, when all the Jews which were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and in the whole countryside, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah, and that he had set Gedaliah, the son of Ahicam, the son of Shaphan, over them,
40:12 then all the Jews returned from every place to which they had fled, and they came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah in Mizpah, and they gathered the wine, and an exceedingly great harvest.
207 . Here, the assembly of the princes is spoken of.
First, their coming together is mentioned: and when all the captains of the army, had heard . . . there came to Gedaliah . A foolish king shall destroy his people, but cities shall be inhabited through the good sense of the prudent (Sir 10:3).
Second, the assurance of those gathered is mentioned: and Gedaliah swore to them . . . do not fear . Servants, be submissive with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and modest, but also to the unreasonable (1 Pet 2:18).
Third, he shows the manner of their security: behold, I ; it is as though he were saying, “I bear the entire burden, that you may be in peace.” We are foolish because of Christ, but you are wise in Christ (1 Cor 4:10). Surely, he has borne our infirmities, and has himself carried our griefs (Isa 53:4). A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:11).
Moreover, when all the Jews which were in Moab . Here, the gathering of the people is spoken of. He has gathered the exiles of Israel (Ps 146:2).
Lecture 3
Plots of the princes
40:13 But Johanan, the son of Kareah, and all the princes of the army who were scattered in the countryside, came to Gedaliah in Mizpah.
40:14 And they said to him, ‘Know that Baalis, the king of the children of Ammon, has sent Ishmael, the son of Nathaniah, to take your life.’ And Gedaliah, the son of Ahicam, did not believe them.
40:15 But Johanan, the son of Kareah, spoke to Gedaliah secretly in Mizpah, saying, ‘Go, and I shall strike Ishmael, the son of Nathaniah, and no one shall know, lest he take your life, and all the Jews who are gathered to you will be scattered, and the remnant of Judah shall perish.’
40:16 And Gedaliah, the son of Ahicam, said to Johanan,the son of Kareah, ‘Do not do this word, for what you say regarding Ishmael is false.’
208 . Here, the contrivance of plots is spoken of:
first, that made by the princes communally: know that Baalis , who still resisted the Chaldeans; and Gedaliah did not believe , because he believed the false words of Ishmael. The innocent believes every word, but the prudent man considers his steps (Prov 14:15).
Second, that made by a certain man in particular: Johanan .
First, its contrivance: go . By the good of the just a city shall be exalted, and in the destruction of the wicked shall be its praise (Prov 11:10).
Second, its rejection is spoken of: and Gedaliah said . Above: and I did not know that they took counsel against me, saying: let us put wood in his bread, and let us cut him off from the land of the living (Jer 11:19).