Jeremiah 40, II Kings 25
From Jeremiah's Journal
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| Photo Courtesy- Mizpah-home of Gedaliah |
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon appointed Gedaliah to be governor over Jerusalem.
Gedaliah was a kind man who worked for King Nebuchadnezzar.
There were those who wanted our land returned to the Jews and Jewish rule. God said this punishment would happen. He also told the people to live under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar.
During the seventh months of Gedaliah's rule, the men and women who still lived in Judah had a good life. They harvested summer fruits and had nice homes.
One day, though, Ishmael, who was of royal blood and an officer of the king, brought with him ten men to visit Gedaliah in Mizpah.
Gedaliah welcomed them warmly and invited them to sit down to a meal. Ishmael accepted the invitation. They all sat at the table and were served the best food.
While they were eating and talking, Ishmael signaled his ten men. They all stood, drew their swords and attacked Gedaliah, all the Jews, and the Babylonian soldiers sitting at the table.
The next morning no one had heard what had happened to Gedaliah. They didn't have phones or computers. Everyone who was alive to report the news had been killed.
Ishmael and his ten friends walked away from Gedaliah's home. On the road, they met eight men who had completed a vow and were on their way to offer a grain and incense to God at the house of the Lord.
Ishmael walked toward them weeping (he was faking), and said, "Come to Gedaliah's house. The eighty men followed Ishmael to Gedaliah's house. Once inside, Ishmael killed all but ten of them who promised to give him food.
Ishmael took prisoner every person left in Mizpah, including the king's daughters whom Gedaliah protected, and marched them to the Ammonites.
Who will God send to stop this evil man?
Come back to see what happened next.
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1. Everyone lived in peace in Judah until...?
2. Why did Ishmael come?
3. How did Gedaliah treat Ishmael?
4. What happened at the meal?
5. What did Ishmael do to the eighty men?
6. What did Ishmael do to the rest of the people living in Mizpah?
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