Pam Padgett ... teacher
When the kings and people of Judah did not
turn from their wickedness, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon overcame
Jerusalem, carried away the people to Babylon, and burned houses in the
city as God had warned through the prophet Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 39:8 And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the
houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.
9 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into
Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those
that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that
remained.
However, those who were poor were allowed to stay in the land of Judah and were given vineyards and fields ....
Jeremiah 39:10
But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the
people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards
and fields at the same time.
Jeremiah, having faithfully delivered the messages of God to the people
warning them to turn from their evil, was kept safe and allowed to
choose whether to go to Babylon, or whether to dwell with those left in
the land of Judah. Jeremiah chose to be with the people left in Judah
(Jeremiah 40:6) ...
Jeremiah 39:11
Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to
Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying, 12 Take him, and look well
to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto
thee. 13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban,
Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's
princes; 14 Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the
prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of
Shaphan, that he should carry him home:so he dwelt among the people.
And God sent Jeremiah to Ebedmelech to let him know that he would be delivered by God because he trusted in God ...
Jeremiah 39:15
Now the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in
the court of the prison, saying, 16 Go and speak to Ebedmelech the
Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel;
Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good;
and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee. 17 But I will
deliver thee in that day, saith the Lord:and thou shalt not be given
into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. 18 For I will surely
deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall
be for a prey unto thee:because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the
Lord.
As I read this account, it stood out to me that those who were not rich
in things of this world and those who served God and those who trusted in God were
delivered from going into bondage in Babylon.
This reminded me that Jesus taught us that we find our life (our life in Him) as we lay down our life on this earth ... treasuring not things of this
world, but treasuring things of God, trusting in God and obeying Him
being led by the Holy Spirit ....
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man
will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and
follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:and
whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a
man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?