Jeremiah 41:11-12 When Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers who were with him heard about all the crimes Ishmael son of Nethaniah had committed, they took all their men and went to fight Ishmael son of Nethaniah. They caught up with him near the great pool in Gibeon.
Chapter 41 is full of death and destruction. As I read it, I am left pondering the message God wants me to take from it. Is Nethaniah acting on God’s behalf? There is no evidence of it. Is Gedaliah to be blamed for lack of preparation against a threat? That doesn’t seem to be the point. Is Johanan to be viewed as the avenging hand of God? Again, I see nothing to really support that conclusion.
Jeremiah 41:13 When all the people Ishmael had with him saw Johanan son of Kareah and the army officers who were with him, they were glad.
So I am left wondering, struggling to make sense of when greed and destruction win. Except they don’t win in this chapter. Johanan ensures they don’t win. Is the lesson that there’s always good to be found? That we should *be* the good in the world?
Jeremiah 41:14 All the people Ishmael had taken captive at Mizpah turned and went over to Johanan son of Kareah.
Lord, There are times where Your word, Your message seems less than clear. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, a heart to seek—even then, especially then. Help me to understand Your word, Your Will. Help me to shine Your light in this dark world. Amen.
Jeremiah 41:15 But Ishmael son of Nethaniah and eight of his men escaped from Johanan and fled to the Ammonites.
Have a blessed day.