Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

Jeremiah 41 Devotional

Where God Goes Unmentioned

Jeremiah 41 is dark, and strangely quiet about God. Neither the LORD nor Jeremiah speaks in it. Ishmael, of the royal family, shares a meal with Gedaliah and then murders him, along with the Judeans and Babylonian soldiers at Mizpah (41:1-3). Soon after, eighty mourning men arrive bringing offerings for the house of the LORD. Ishmael meets them weeping, invites them in, and slaughters most of them (41:5-7).

This is what happens when people stop listening for God's word and trust their own schemes. A shared meal becomes a trap, and even tears become a weapon. The only ones reaching toward God, the grieving pilgrims, are cut down on the way. Yet the story does not end with Ishmael. The captives are rescued (41:13-14), though the survivors then turn toward Egypt in fear (41:17-18). Jesus also wept over a city, and his tears were no disguise (Luke 19:41). Where grief can be faked, his is real, and he is the one to bring yours to.

To think about: When the news around you feels cruel and God seems unmentioned, where will you bring your grief today?

About Jeremiah 41: Ishmael Murders Gedaliah

Nethaniah’s son Ishmael and his men kill Gedaliah at Mizpah along with the Judeans and Babylonian soldiers there, then murder all but ten of eighty pilgrims bringing offerings. Johanan rescues the captives Ishmael is taking toward Ammon, and the survivors, afraid of Babylon, head toward Egypt.

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