1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,960 Speaker 1: Let us pray yet a small number that escaped the 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,960 Speaker 1: sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: the land of Judah. And all the remnant of Judah 4 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:13,880 Speaker 1: that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn 5 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: there shall know whose words shall stand mine or theirs 6 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:25,960 Speaker 1: Jeremiah forty four twenty eight. Dear God, as you continue 7 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 1: to elevate me to places of influence and leadership, I 8 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:33,879 Speaker 1: ask that you give me a heart and ears to 9 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:37,120 Speaker 1: hear and heed when a man or woman of God 10 00:00:37,479 --> 00:00:40,920 Speaker 1: has been sent into my life to protect me from 11 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 1: the attack of the enemy. Unlike those in today's reading, 12 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:49,479 Speaker 1: I confess that my desire is to be in the 13 00:00:49,560 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 1: complete and unwavering plan of the Lord. I confess that 14 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:58,840 Speaker 1: when I am given a word of warning or correction, 15 00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 1: I will not allow pride and ego to respond in me. 16 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:07,360 Speaker 1: I will not run in the direction of what you 17 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:13,120 Speaker 1: freed me from in previous years. Instead, I will plant 18 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:17,200 Speaker 1: my feet firmly on the words of your prophets and 19 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:21,399 Speaker 1: watch my life flourish and grow. Because I've learned to 20 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:26,319 Speaker 1: move and act at the sound of your voice. I 21 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:30,560 Speaker 1: decree and declare that I am no longer a slave 22 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:37,319 Speaker 1: to my past, but a servant to my future. In 23 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:45,360 Speaker 1: Jesus name, Amen, thank you for making prayer a priority 24 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:48,760 Speaker 1: in your day. To learn more about the Bible, stay 25 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 1: tuned for today's story, brought to you by Bible in 26 00:01:52,320 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 1: a Year dot com. 27 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:08,600 Speaker 2: Judah's Remnant. In our last story, Jeremiah witnessed the downfall 28 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:12,959 Speaker 2: of Judah. King Neberconezzer used the Kaldean army to lay 29 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 2: waste to all of Jerusalem. Hundreds of thousands of people 30 00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 2: were taken captive, and the remaining rulers of Judah were 31 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 2: beheaded and trampled. Jeremiah, however, was spared from the Babylonians. 32 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:28,160 Speaker 2: He was given a choice to go to Babylon and 33 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 2: live comfortably or remain with his people. Now we see 34 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:36,520 Speaker 2: the remaining Judeans trying to rebuild their city. However, even 35 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 2: in the tragedy of loss and tyranny, there still remains 36 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 2: greedy people. 37 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:42,079 Speaker 1: Hungry for power. 38 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 2: Inspired by the Book of Jeremiah. 39 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:50,000 Speaker 3: Hello, this is Jack Graham with today's episode of the 40 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:53,679 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year. In our last episode, we heard 41 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:57,640 Speaker 3: of the demise of Zedekiah, who resisted God's will and 42 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:01,080 Speaker 3: the Babylonian army to the bitter end, we saw the 43 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:05,080 Speaker 3: contrast between his attitude and arrogance and that of the 44 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 3: great prophet Jeremiah, who obeyed God's will and even sacrificed 45 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 3: his own comforts for the safety and the sake of others. 46 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:16,320 Speaker 3: Today we'll hear how the remnant of Judah, who remained 47 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 3: after the Babylonian conquest, will attempt to rebuild a broken city. 48 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 3: God will bless the efforts of those who sought to 49 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 3: live peacefully with their oppressors. But yet we'll see how 50 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 3: the desire for power and control still overshadows the attempts 51 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 3: to put the city back together again. Let's listen now 52 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 3: to God's word. 53 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:43,400 Speaker 2: Judah had been captured. King Nebuconezzer demolished Jerusalem's defenses and 54 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 2: reduced the Holy Temple into a pile of rubble. The 55 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:51,320 Speaker 2: wealthiest and most educated of Judah were carted off to Babylon. 56 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 2: There they were forced to contribute to the Babylonian economy. 57 00:03:55,880 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 2: Jeremiah remained in Judah at Mitzpah, along with the poorest 58 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:02,560 Speaker 2: of the country who were left to remain there. They 59 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 2: were governed by a man by the name of Ghedealaiah. 60 00:04:05,760 --> 00:04:08,800 Speaker 2: He swore to the remnants, saying, we must not be 61 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 2: afraid to serve the Chaldeans and Babylonians. I will represent 62 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 2: us to them and plead for their favor. Day and night. 63 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 2: Geedaliah led the remaining Hebrews as they worked the fields, 64 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 2: rebuilt homes, and stored up food for themselves. Each few 65 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 2: weeks a tribute would be required of them, and Getaliya 66 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:32,520 Speaker 2: would deal with their oppressors peacefully. Gedalia desired for the 67 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 2: remaining survivors of the Babylonian conquest to survive. Not only 68 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 2: did they survive, but the Lord blessed their hand and 69 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:44,479 Speaker 2: their crops grew in great abundance. However, there were some 70 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 2: who were determined to fight against the Chaldeans. Ishmael, a 71 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 2: man of royal blood, hated that Gheddealiyah would submit to 72 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 2: Babylon with such ease, so he conspired against him to 73 00:04:56,320 --> 00:05:00,120 Speaker 2: assassinate him. Gedaliah slept in his home soundly after d 74 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 2: a hard day at work. A shadow moved across the 75 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:06,360 Speaker 2: room towards his bed. As the shadow grew larger over 76 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 2: his bed, Gheeddilia drew his sword and caught the figure 77 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 2: off guard. It was not Ishmael but his friend Johanan. 78 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:16,800 Speaker 2: Ghetelia put down his sword and took a deep breath. 79 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:20,680 Speaker 2: Both men were silent for a moment. Let me defend you, 80 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:24,480 Speaker 2: Johannin whispered to his friend. If you die, all the 81 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:28,280 Speaker 2: Judeans will be scattered. Let me go and assassinate him 82 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 2: before he does so to you. Gheedeliah was old friends 83 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,800 Speaker 2: with Ishmael. He could not believe he would do such 84 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:39,480 Speaker 2: a thing. No, he replied, we cannot be killing one another. 85 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:43,719 Speaker 2: Too many have been lost. Weeks later, Ghetelia traveled to 86 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 2: each village to check up on the people. As he 87 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:50,039 Speaker 2: was walking, Ishmael and a group of his men ambushed him. 88 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 2: There was no time to react. Gheeddelia was struck down 89 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:57,159 Speaker 2: with one swipe of Ishmael's blade. Over the next week, 90 00:05:57,279 --> 00:06:01,719 Speaker 2: Ishmael began a tirade of killing lauded priests and servants 91 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:04,719 Speaker 2: that were loyal to Gedeliah. All those he did not 92 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:08,480 Speaker 2: kill he took captive, and Ishmael assumed governance of the 93 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:12,760 Speaker 2: Judean remnant. However, Johanin would not allow his friend's death 94 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 2: to go unpunished. He rallied the leaders of the remaining 95 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:20,560 Speaker 2: forces and marched against Ishmael. There at the pool of Gibeon, 96 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:25,039 Speaker 2: Johanin led a rescue mission to save Ishmael's captives. Johanin 97 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:26,919 Speaker 2: fought with the rage of a man who had just 98 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:31,120 Speaker 2: lost his front. He wept as he swung his sword. Eventually, 99 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 2: he backed Ishmael into a corner and the captives were released. However, 100 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:38,520 Speaker 2: Ishmael and eight of his men escaped to the Ammonites. 101 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:43,080 Speaker 2: Johanan knew that punishment awaited the remnant since Gedeliah had 102 00:06:43,080 --> 00:06:46,679 Speaker 2: been killed, so he gathered the remaining women and children 103 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:50,400 Speaker 2: and fled to Egypt to seek refuge. As Johanan and 104 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 2: his people were making plans to leave, Jeremiah stopped them. 105 00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 2: He stood before the people and begged them not to go. 106 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:01,960 Speaker 2: He knew that only slavery awaited them in Egypt. The 107 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:05,880 Speaker 2: Lord has blessed our work here thus far. Our crops 108 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 2: are steady, and our relationship with Babylon is mending. Do 109 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:14,800 Speaker 2: not leave, Jeremiah implored. But the people were still unsteady. 110 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 2: They began to clamor and grumble. Jeremiah lifted his voice 111 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 2: for all to hear and said, if you leave, famine 112 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 2: and sword will follow you. The Lord desires for this 113 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 2: remnant to build Jerusalem back to its former glory. Fear not, 114 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 2: for there are great things ahead. As Jeremiah was speaking, 115 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 2: Johanan's fist blew through his jaw. He fell to the floor, disoriented. 116 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 2: He looked to see Johanan's angry and worried face. You 117 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:48,120 Speaker 2: are a liar, Johanan's spat. You are a tool of 118 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 2: the Chaldeans and Babylonians. Nothing more so. Johanan bound Jeremiah 119 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 2: up and took him and the rest of the people 120 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 2: out of Judah towards Egypt. Little did they know that 121 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 2: the Lord had said it motion plans for Nebakonezzer to 122 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 2: overtake Egypt as well. There would be no escaping God's will. 123 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:14,640 Speaker 3: In today's reading, Judah has been decimated by Babylonian forces. 124 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 3: Most of the Judeans who were left alive were taken 125 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 3: to Babylon as captives. The wealthiests were to integrate into 126 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 3: Babylonian society and contribute to the nation's economy. But there 127 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 3: was a remnant. The poorest population of Judah left in 128 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 3: their land to rebuild, and Jeremiah, the great Prophet of God, 129 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:39,560 Speaker 3: remained as well. The Babylonians allowed a Judean to rule 130 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:42,439 Speaker 3: the people and ensure that they served Babylon and paid 131 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:45,960 Speaker 3: tribute when it was required. This duty was given to 132 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 3: a man named Ghedalayah. He was wise and wanted to 133 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 3: see Judah rebuild and experience relative peace despite their terrible condition, 134 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 3: so he resolved to deal peaceably with the Babylonians and 135 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 3: the Chaldeans make the best of a bad situation. Jeremiah 136 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:06,800 Speaker 3: was there to support him. God blessed the efforts of 137 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:09,720 Speaker 3: those who remained, and the land prospered. It was a 138 00:09:09,720 --> 00:09:12,560 Speaker 3: glimmer of hope for Judah, a sign that God was 139 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:16,199 Speaker 3: still with them. But there were those who opposed Gheedaliah 140 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:19,520 Speaker 3: and hated the foreign invaders. They didn't want to keep 141 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 3: the peace, but continued to war against Nevicanezer, just as 142 00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:28,679 Speaker 3: foolishly as Zadekiah had done. One such person was Ishmael, 143 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:33,040 Speaker 3: and he planned to kill Gedaliah and seize power. One night, 144 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:35,440 Speaker 3: Getteliah was surprised in his room by a man he 145 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 3: thought was there to kill him, but he was ready 146 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 3: with his sword. As it turned out, however, it was 147 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 3: a friend by the name of Johannan. Johannan cared a 148 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 3: great deal for Geedaliah and did not want to see 149 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 3: him fall to Ishmael, so he suggested they strike first, 150 00:09:51,320 --> 00:09:55,160 Speaker 3: killing Ishmael before he could get to Geedaliah. Here we 151 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:58,360 Speaker 3: have two men, Getliah and Johannan, who both want the 152 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:03,160 Speaker 3: same thing but different approaches. Johannan is quick to turn 153 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 3: the violence to defeat opposition from within, but Gheddealiyah wisely 154 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:10,960 Speaker 3: knows that if they begin war with each other, killing 155 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:14,199 Speaker 3: those who oppose them, Judah would be far worse off, 156 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 3: so he lets Ishmael live. It was an honorable choice, 157 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:22,480 Speaker 3: but it didn't work out, as one day Ghetiliah was 158 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:26,760 Speaker 3: ambushed and killed by Ishmael. Now Judah was under the 159 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:30,000 Speaker 3: leadership of a very cruel man who quickly went about 160 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:33,320 Speaker 3: killing those who opposed him, including priests and servants who 161 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:38,120 Speaker 3: had shown loyalty to Ghetealaiah. Johannan will not stand for this, 162 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:41,840 Speaker 3: and once more he responds in anger with more violence. 163 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 3: He attacks Ishmael's men and nearly defeated him, but Ismael 164 00:10:46,559 --> 00:10:49,760 Speaker 3: escaped at the last moment, knowing there would be retribution 165 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 3: for his attempt. Johannan gathers women, children and all those 166 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 3: not following Ishmael, making plans to flee to Egypt. It's 167 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 3: an understandable impulse, but Johannan wants to know it is 168 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 3: the right one, so he inquired of Jeremiah. The prophet 169 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:08,320 Speaker 3: goes to the Lord for guidance, and we hear God's 170 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:13,480 Speaker 3: response in Jeremiah forty two, verses eleven and twelve. Do 171 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:16,560 Speaker 3: not fear the King of Bablin, of whom you are afraid. 172 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:19,439 Speaker 3: Do not fear him, declares the Lord, for I am 173 00:11:19,480 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 3: with you to save you and deliver you from his hand. 174 00:11:22,720 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 3: I will grant you mercy that he may have mercy 175 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 3: on you, and let you remain in your own land. 176 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:34,000 Speaker 3: So what was the answer. Don't go to Egypt, God says, 177 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:37,079 Speaker 3: trust me. Your life will go from bad to worse 178 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:41,760 Speaker 3: if you run away. Johannan had a choice, just like 179 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:45,320 Speaker 3: so many to whom Jeremiah had spoken before, Trust God 180 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:48,439 Speaker 3: and do his will, or take matters into your own hand. 181 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 3: Johannan chose the latter, and once more Jeremiah suffers beatings 182 00:11:53,679 --> 00:11:57,360 Speaker 3: and imprisonment from those who refuse to listen to God's word. 183 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 3: The people fled to Egypt, not knowing that soon that 184 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:04,840 Speaker 3: land too would fall to Babylon. If only if only 185 00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:08,080 Speaker 3: they had obeyed God and trusted him, life would have 186 00:12:08,120 --> 00:12:12,080 Speaker 3: been so much different. It is so important that we 187 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 3: learn from mistakes, including the mistakes of others, and we 188 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:19,120 Speaker 3: always must remember and reflect daily on the fact that 189 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:22,920 Speaker 3: God could be trusted, that His word is sovereign and 190 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 3: secure and supernatural, and that our future is secure because 191 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:29,600 Speaker 3: we live with the promises of God, and it is 192 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:32,520 Speaker 3: always right to run to the will of God and 193 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 3: never away from the will of God. Dear God, we 194 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 3: always thank you for the scripture which teaches us how 195 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 3: to live our lives. We know that even when things 196 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:46,920 Speaker 3: seem lost, you are faithful, and you preserve a remnant 197 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 3: of people for your glory. Help us always to listen 198 00:12:50,440 --> 00:12:53,840 Speaker 3: to your counsel, wise counsel that comes from You, to 199 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:57,920 Speaker 3: seek peace rather than war, and that we would trust 200 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:02,720 Speaker 3: you for your provision for our every need. In Christ's name, Amen, 201 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:06,400 Speaker 3: thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 202 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:08,840 Speaker 3: We are so glad that you have joined us. I'm 203 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 3: Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. You can download the 204 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:15,640 Speaker 3: Prey dot com app and join millions of people who 205 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:18,720 Speaker 3: are listening daily to the Bible in a year. I 206 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 3: want to encourage you to make prayer and Bible study 207 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:24,679 Speaker 3: a priority in your life, that you would seek first 208 00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:28,760 Speaker 3: the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. If you enjoy 209 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:31,800 Speaker 3: this broadcast, let me encourage you to share it with others, 210 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:34,360 Speaker 3: people that you love, people that you know, people in 211 00:13:34,440 --> 00:13:37,560 Speaker 3: your church, because we believe the Word of God makes 212 00:13:37,559 --> 00:13:41,160 Speaker 3: an eternal difference in people's lives. If you want more 213 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:44,480 Speaker 3: resources as to how you can live the Christian life, 214 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:48,160 Speaker 3: be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. That's Jack 215 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:51,079 Speaker 3: Graham dot org. God bless you.