In Whom Do We Put Our Trust?

O.T. #1812  "In Whom Do We Put Our Trust?"

Nov. 2, 2020

Jeremiah 41

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7)

LET IT GLOW

*Sorry for the incomplete post, but I was having computer problems, which are hopefully fixed now.)

In whom do we put our trust to deliver us? We read of one who trusted the wrong ones. Hold onto your hat, we have  murders on our hands in today's reading.

Since the new Babylonian governor, Gedaliah, thought Johanan was lying when he told the governor about the Jew, Ishmael's plot to assassinate him was a lie, Gedaliah would not allow Johanan to kill Ishmael. It was too bad, for when Ishmael and his 10 men were eating with Gedaliah, then they jumped up and killed Gedaliah and his soldiers with their swords (at Mitzpah). (verses 1-3)

What happened next?

• Before the news of the murder had gotten out, the next day 80 faithful Jews from the northern kingdom of Israel arrived in Jerusalem to worship at the Temple. (You will recall that Israel had been conquered by the Assyrians 132 years earlier.) (verse 5)
•  They were already prepared with the signs of mourning and had brought grain offerings and frankincense. Ishmael left Mizpah to meet the group, weeping as he went. (What an imposter and deceiver.)
• When he reached them, he invited them to Mizpah to see what happened. After luring them, Ishmael almost killed them all. (verses 6-7)
• However, 10 of the Jews bribed Ishmael with supplies, so he let them live. (verse 8)
• As if all of this was not bad enough, Ishmael took captive all the rest of the people of Mizpah and fled to the Ammonites. (verse 10)

We don't know why these terrible things happened. Maybe Ishmael's mind was so twisted that he thought he was rescuing his people. It was a bad situation made worse because of his brutal murdering. The Lord had warned the Jews to submit to the Babylonians and be protected numerous times. Without a king, with no law and no loyalty to God, Judah was subjected to complete anarchy.

[Resources: The Tony Evans Bible Commentary, Life Application Study Bible]

God's servants were led to slaughter. What damage was done with only 10 men. But there were treasures in the field (supplies of food).

This bait prevailed. Ishmael saved them, not for the love of mercy, but for the love of money(and food). Solomon observes that sometimes the ransom of a man's life is his riches. (Matthew Henry)

What would we give in exchange for our life or soul?  

LET IT GROW

 Now, when the news of this reached Johanan, he rallied his troops and pursed Ishmael. (verses 11-12) They freed the captives, who rejoiced and returned to Mizpah with Johanan. However, Ishmael escaped. Afraid they would be killed for what Ishmael did, this group fled to Egypt. They wanted to put many miles between themselves and Babylon as possible.

Think about, this group had witnessed the horror of Jerusalem's destruction and the slaughter of thousands of Jews. These Jews were looking in the wrong direction. North was Nebuchadnezzar and his mighty army, to the south was the Egyptians, whom God warned not to trust. They should have looked to God for deliverance.

Where do we look for deliverance from our problems? In whom do we put our trust? God should be where we look, not government, bank accounts, doctors, etc. 

LET IT GO

May we put our trust in You alone, God.