JEREMIAH 41
ISHMAEL BRINGS CHAOS UPON JUDAH
Fulfilling his plan, Ishmael assassinates Gedaliah along with murdering multiple other Judeans and Babylonian soldiers. Shortly after, Ishmael kills seventy more men and throws their bodies into a cistern.
Ishmael continues to wreak havoc by taking a group of Gedaliah’s men captive and forcing them to travel towards the Ammonites. On the way there, they come across Johanan, who initially warned Gedaliah about Ishmael. Johanan defeats Ishmael’s men and frees the captives, but Ishmael himself gets away.
JEREMIAH 42
GOD WARNS THE PEOPLE NOT TO FLEE TO EGYPT
Johanan and the freed captives ask Jeremiah to pray for discernment. Before telling them what to do next, Jeremiah spends ten days in prayer. The people agree to do whatever God instructs, regardless if it is good or bad news.
After hearing from God, Jeremiah warns the people that they will not receive God’s mercy if they flee to Egypt. As counterintuitive as it seems, the people are called to stay in Judah during the exile.
JEREMIAH 43
GOD WILL USE BABYLON TO DEFEAT EGYPT
Despite the warning from Jeremiah, Johanan and the remaining exiles disobey God and flee to Egypt, taking Jeremiah and Baruch with them.
While in Egypt, God tells Jeremiah that Egypt will be struck down and those who look to Egypt for protection will be doomed. In the same way God used Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar to invade Judah, God will bring Babylon against Egypt. Using large stones, God shows Jeremiah the exact site where Nebuchadnezzar’s throne will be placed in Egypt!
JEREMIAH 44
GOD WARNS AGAINST FALSE IDOLS IN EGYPT
God sends warning to the remaining exiles in Egypt to turn away from false idols. Despite Jeremiah's efforts, the people refuse to turn from their false gods, illustrating their continual rebellion against God's warnings. Few fugitives will turn towards God and avoid disaster, while the rest refuse to humble themselves and fear God.
JEREMIAH 45
GOD’S MESSAGE FOR BARUCH
God gives Jeremiah a short message of prophecy addressing Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe who has been taken to Egypt with Jeremiah. God hears Baruch’s cries and laments, acknowledging his sorrow and pain. Although disaster is coming upon the Israelites, God will protect Baruch and allow him to survive.
JEREMIAH 46
GOD WARNS THE EGYPTIANS OF THEIR FATE
God shifts from warning the people of Judah to warning foreign nations, beginning with Egypt. Just like Judah was defeated by the Babylonians, Egypt would be taken down next and brought into captivity.
God addresses the Israelites who were scattered in Egypt, showing them mercy and compassion. Despite the circumstances, God is with them and encourages them not to fear.
JEREMIAH 47
GOD WARNS THE PHILISTINES
Next, God warns the Philistines that they too will be invaded by Babylon and taken into captivity. Their two major cities, Gaza and Ashkelon, will be overthrown and defeated.
JEREMIAH 48
GOD WARNS THE MOABITES
In continuation of God’s warning towards the surrounding nations of Israel, God warns the Moabites that they will soon face defeat. Because Moab is arrogant and boastful over their previous defeat of Judah, God plans to humble them.
In contrast with the rest of the chapter, God shows compassion on Moab in verse 47 by referencing a future time when their fortune will be restored. This hope may be given to Moab because of Israel’s connection to Moab through Ruth, an ancestor of both David and Jesus.
JEREMIAH 49
GOD WARNS SURROUNDING NATIONS
God pronounces judgment on multiple bordering nations and cities of Judah, including Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam. These nations have rebelled against God and will be absorbed into the Babylonian empire, serving as Israel’s enemies.
Similar to Moab, God also promises to restore the fortunes of the Ammonites and of Elam, but the reason is undisclosed.
JEREMIAH 50
GOD WARNS THE BABYLONIANS
After warning many other nations, Jeremiah shares God’s word of prophecy for Babylon. Although God uses the Babylonians to uproot Judah, God plans to bring His judgment upon their nation as well. Jeremiah warns that Babylon will be defeated by a nation from the north, later revealed as Persia. Because Babylon has opposed God, they can anticipate destruction and doom.
The Israelites are like sheep who have gone astray, and God plans to shepherd them back to their pasture. The Lord will redeem the Israelites and bring unrest to their enemies. God uses imagery of a lion on the prowl to describe His pursuit of Babylon’s demise.
JEREMIAH 51
BABYLON WILL BECOME A NATION OF HORRORS
The future of Babylon appears desolate. God promises that Babylon will become a horror of a land, left as a heap of ruins. Because of their cruelty and arrogance, Babylon will be completely destroyed by fire and disaster.
The idols worshiped by the Babylonians will prove to be useless; nothing can withstand God’s wrath. Their false gods will put them to shame and leave them rendered powerless.
Although God allowed Babylon’s siege of Judah, God will not leave their evil unpunished. God will plead the case for the Israelites, rescuing them from their captors and restoring them to their land.
JEREMIAH 52
GOD’S PEOPLE INVITED TO HIS ROYAL TABLE
This final chapter of Jeremiah recalls Zedekiah’s reign as the final king over Judah before being taken into captivity. Reminiscing on the destruction and burning of the temple, this narrative highlights the turmoil caused by Babylon’s invasion of Jerusalem. In total 4,600 people are taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and his army.
Also told in 2 Kings 25, the book ends with a short story that offers a glimmer of hope. Jehoichin, one of the previous kings of Judah, is released from prison by Evil-Merodach, the king of Babylon that succeeded Nebuchadnezzar. Evil-Merodach frees Jehoichin, replaces his prison garments, provides all of his daily needs, and invites him to dine at the royal table every day of his life. Jeremiah ends on a hopeful note that serves as an image of God’s invitation to His people—to be freed from bondage and invited into His presence.