Jeremiah-An Assassination Plan Built on Greed

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 40, II Kings 25

From Jeremiah's Journal

Photo Courtesy - Delicious grapes

My name is Jeremiah. I am a prophet, a person sent from God to give messages to the Israelites who still live in Jerusalem.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon appointed Gedaliah to be governor over Jerusalem.

Gedaliah was a kind man. He sent messages to the Jews who fled to caves, fields, and nearby countries telling them they could and should come home. They would be able to harvest the crops and live in peace.

The people did return. They harvested a great deal of wine and summer fruit. Everyone seemed happy and content.

Gedaliah reassured the soldiers who had been left behind, "Do not be afraid to serve the Babylonians. Settle down in the land and serve the king of Babylon and it will go well with you. I myself will stay in Mizpah to represent you before the Babylonians who come to us. You may harvest the wine, summer fruit, and oil and put them in your storage jars. Live in the towns you have taken over. You will see. All will be well."

Johanan, one of the officers said, "Gedaliah, did you know that Baalis, king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael, son of Nethaniah to take your life?"

Gedaliah shook his head. "This isn't so. We are living in peace here and have harvested plenty of food. No. I don't believe Ishmael will."

Johanan leaned close to Gedaliah and whispered. "I care about you. You are doing a good job. Let me go and kill Ishmael and no one will know it. Why should he take your life and cause all the Jews who have returned to be scattered again, and the few men and women left from Judah to die? Please. I'll stop him!"

Gedaliah shook his head again. "Look, Johanan. I know you mean well. But don't do such a thing. What you are saying about Ishmael is simply not true."

For several months the people lived in peace, just as Gedaliah said.

Until...

Come back to see what happened next.
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1.  Who did King Nebuchadnezzar appoint to govern Judah?
2.  Was he a good governor?
3.  Who did Johanan say wanted to kill the new governor?
4. The governor didn't believe Johanan. The people had everything. What did the governor say to Johanan?
5.  So the people lived in peace under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar and his governor. Do you think Johanan was wrong?