Jeremiah Freed

After God’s judgment on Israel through the Babylonians conquering and destroying Jerusalem, Jeremiah was gathered up with the other deportees. But apparently Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian captain of the guard, believed God’s Word more than Israel as he quoted Jeremiah’s prophecies back to him. Out of respect, he gave Jeremiah a choice of exile under his care or life with those remaining. Jeremiah stayed with the weak remnant rather then safety and comfort in Babylon. This happened because of the humane treatment of his nation’s enemy; something he did not receive from his own people. But not being vindictive, he loved the people he had wept over. It is a hint of Jesus leaving His place in heaven to become human and live with us (Philippians 2:5-8).

 

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REFLECTION

 

Free to Believe

By Judy Webb

^“But today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists. Come with me to Babylon, if you like, and I will look after you; but if you do not want to then don't come. Look, the whole country lies before you; go wherever you please. (Jeremiah 40:4)  

Jeremiah is such a rich book of the Bible. Every time I open the pages of this special book, I am surprised by the words I read; a phrase or a concept will grab my heart with a surprising story or meaning. Chapter 40 is no different.

It seems Jeremiah got caught up in the confusion when the people were overrun by the Babylonia army. He was chained and left waiting with many of those who were captured and awaiting the march to Babylonia. Nebuzaradan, commander of the imperial guard had orders from Nebuchadnezzar to release Jeremiah and take care of him.

Nebuzaradan was not a believer, but he had heard of Jeremiah’s work among the people. He knew Jeremiah to be a prophet who had been warning the Israelites to change their ways, to repent and be saved from captivity.

I guess what struck me most here is the fact that Jeremiah was known by his enemies, respected even. This affirms that the truth of God is for everyone, Believers, and non-believers. Much like the centurion; And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39) Any circumstance can speak of God’s truth. Anyone can hear God’s truth.

The last words of verse 4, Look, the whole country is before you; go wherever you please, are powerful words. Perhaps it isn’t surprising that Jeremiah had no desire to go live in Babylon. Nebuzaradan told him the whole world lie before him. He was free to choose. Just as we are free to choose who we will follow and where we will live.

We might feel like we are anything but free, given our present situation, especially after so many years of living as we please (more or less). This virus has made us captives, but we still have Jesus. We still have the privilege to decide who we want to follow, who we want to love and obey. Just maybe, this time we are experiencing, will have Kingdom consequences for someone we meet along the way.

Maybe someone like Nebuzaradan, a non-believer, will hear of Jesus during this season of uncertainty and disarray. Who knows but that the extra time we have on our hands, will provide opportunity for us to point to Jesus, as the One who helps us navigate this season as we show them how He does this.

UALC CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER - WEDNESDAY

JUSTICE - Stir up the power of your Holy Spirit to create reconciliation and justice where we cannot. We are enmeshed in the sin and hurt and futility of a fallen world. But you, O God, have raised Jesus from the dead and poured out the Spirit of your new creation. Reconcile us to one another across the divides we alone cannot cross, in the justice and wholeness only you can create.