Jer 40:12. How does this verse show that Jehovah gave his people the good land described at Deuteronomy 8:6-8? (w06 6/15 p. 16 par. 4)
Jeremiah 40:12 — So all the Jews began returning from all the places to which they had been dispersed, and they came into the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah. And they gathered wine and summer fruits in very great quantity.
Answer 1: The verse shows that the Jews who had been scattered were able to return to Judah. Despite the devastation that the country had suffered, they could still return to the land that Jehovah had given them.
Answer 2: When they returned, the Jews gathered a great quantity of wine. This confirms that the land produced abundant grapevines, just as Jehovah had promised regarding the Promised Land.
Answer 3: They also gathered a great quantity of summer fruit. This shows that Judah was a fertile and productive land, capable of providing food for those who remained there.
Answer 4: It is significant that there was such an abundant harvest even after the Babylonian invasion. The productivity of the land demonstrated that Jehovah had fulfilled his promise to give his people a good land.
Answer 5: The fact that they gathered a great quantity of wine and summer fruit fits the description of a land of grapevines and other fruit. Jehovah had not exaggerated when he described the goodness of the land he gave Israel.
What spiritual gems have you found in this week’s Bible reading?
Spiritual Gems From JEREMIAH 40
Jeremiah 40:1 — The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah after Nebuzaradan the chief of the guard let him go free from Ramah. He had taken him there bound with handcuffs, and he was among all the exiles of Jerusalem and of Judah who were being deported to Babylon.
Comment 1: Jeremiah had suffered greatly, but Jehovah made it possible for him to be released. Even when his servants go through painful trials, Jehovah does not lose sight of their situation or abandon those who remain faithful to him.
Jeremiah 40:3 — and Jehovah has brought it about just as he said, because you people sinned against Jehovah and did not obey his voice. That is why this has happened to you.
Comment 2: Even the chief of the guard acknowledged that the calamity had occurred just as Jehovah had said. This reminds us that Jehovah’s warnings always come true and that obeying his voice is the wisest decision.
Jeremiah 40:4 — Now I am releasing you today from the handcuffs that were on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you. But if you do not want to come with me to Babylon, do not come. See! The entire land is before you. Go wherever you choose.”
Comment 3: Jeremiah was given the freedom to choose where to go. Jehovah did not abandon him when his situation changed completely. We can trust that he too can help us make good decisions during uncertain times.
Jeremiah 40:5 — While Jeremiah still had not turned back, Nebuzaradan said: “Return to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the cities of Judah, and stay with him among the people; or go wherever you choose.” The chief of the guard then gave him a food allowance and a gift and let him go.
Comment 4: Although Nebuzaradan did not worship Jehovah, he treated Jeremiah considerately and gave him food supplies. Jehovah can use unexpected people to care for his servants and provide them with what they need.
Jeremiah 40:6 — So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam at Mizpah and stayed with him among the people who were left in the land.
Comment 5: Jeremiah decided to stay with the people who remained in the land. Rather than seeking a more comfortable life, he stayed close to the people. His example encourages us to show genuine concern for our brothers.
Jeremiah 40:9 — Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan swore an oath to them and to their men, saying: “Do not be afraid of serving the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.
Comment 6: Gedaliah encouraged the people not to let fear paralyze them but to act practically within their circumstances. When we face changes, remaining calm can help us make sensible decisions.
Jeremiah 40:10 — As for me, I will stay in Mizpah to represent you to the Chaldeans who come to us. But you should gather wine, summer fruits, and oil and put them in your storage containers and settle in the cities that you have taken over.”
Comment 7: Gedaliah organized the people so that they would gather and store provisions. This farsighted attitude teaches us the value of using available resources well and cooperating to care for real needs.
Spiritual Gems From JEREMIAH 41
Jeremiah 41:1 — In the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah son of Elishama, who was of the royal line and one of the principal men of the king, came with ten other men to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam at Mizpah. As they were eating a meal together in Mizpah,
Comment 1: Ishmael arrived appearing friendly and ate with Gedaliah, but he was hiding evil intentions. This reminds us that we should not judge people solely by appearances; discernment and prudence are needed.
Jeremiah 41:2 — Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him rose up and struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword. So he put to death the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land.
Comment 2: Ishmael murdered Gedaliah, who had been appointed over the land. His selfish action caused suffering to many people. Sin rarely affects only the one who commits it; it can deeply harm others.
Jeremiah 41:3 — Ishmael also struck down all the Jews who were with Gedaliah in Mizpah, as well as the Chaldean soldiers who were there.
Comment 3: Ishmael’s violence spread to the Jews and the soldiers who were in Mizpah. One bad decision can open the door to other increasingly serious actions. That is why it is vital to reject wrong desires immediately.
Jeremiah 41:4 — On the second day after Gedaliah had been put to death, before anyone knew about it,
Comment 4: The murder was committed before anyone found out about it. Although bad actions may sometimes remain hidden for a time, Jehovah sees them. This reality motivates us to be honest even when no one else is watching.
Jeremiah 41:5 — there came 80 men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria. Their beards were shaved off, their garments were ripped apart, they had cut themselves, and they had grain offerings and frankincense in their hand to bring to the house of Jehovah.
Comment 5: Those men were bringing offerings to the house of Jehovah. Despite the difficult conditions in the land, they wanted to draw close to Jehovah. Their example highlights the importance of keeping pure worship as a priority.
Jeremiah 41:6 — So Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he walked along. When he encountered them, he said to them: “Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.”
Comment 6: Ishmael pretended to weep in order to deceive those men. Outward emotions do not always reveal what is in the heart. We want to be sincere and never use the trust of others to manipulate them.
Jeremiah 41:8 — But there were ten men among them who said to Ishmael: “Do not put us to death, for we have hidden stores of wheat, barley, oil, and honey in the field.” So he refrained from putting them to death along with their brothers.
Comment 7: Ishmael kept ten men alive because they had hidden provisions. His conduct revealed a selfish interest in material possessions. We should never allow the desire to obtain something to make us forget the value of life.
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