2 Kings 25:22-26 ESV

22 And over the people who remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, he appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, governor. 23 Now when all the captains and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah governor, they came with their men to Gedaliah at Mizpah, namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite. 24 And Gedaliah swore to them and their men, saying, “Do not be afraid because of the Chaldean officials. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.” 25 But in the seventh month, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, of the royal family, came with ten men and struck down Gedaliah and put him to death along with the Jews and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah. 26 Then all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the forces arose and went to Egypt, for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.

22 Sa mga taong-bayang naiwan sa lupain ng Juda na iniwan ni Nebukadnezar na hari ng Babilonia, hinirang niyang tagapamahala si Gedalias na anak ni Ahicam, na anak ni Safan. 23 Nang mabalitaan ng lahat ng pinuno ng mga hukbo at ng kanilang mga kalalakihan na ginawang tagapamahala si Gedalias ng hari sa Babilonia, ay pumunta sila kay Gedalias sa Mizpah. Sila ay sina Ismael na anak ni Netanias, si Johanan na anak ni Carea, si Seraya na anak ni Tanhumet na Netofatita, at si Jaazanias na anak ng Maacatita. 24 At si Gedalias ay sumumpa sa kanila at sa kanilang mga kalalakihan na sinasabi, “Kayo'y huwag mangatakot ng dahil sa mga pinunong Caldeo. Manirahan kayo sa lupain at paglingkuran ninyo ang hari ng Babilonia, at ito ay sa ikabubuti ninyo.” 25 Ngunit nang ikapitong buwan, si Ismael na anak ni Netanias, na anak ni Elisama, na mula sa angkan ng hari, ay dumating kasama ng sampung lalaki at sinaktan si Gedalias, kaya't siya'y namatay kasama ang mga Judio at mga Caldeo na mga kasama niya sa Mizpah. 26 Pagkatapos ang buong bayan, hamak at dakila, at ang mga pinuno ng hukbo ay tumindig at pumunta sa Ehipto, sapagkat sila'y takot sa mga Caldeo.

LIVE AND SERVE GOD TODAY

All the Jews were brought to Babylon except the poor. Thus, Gedaliah , the grandson of Josiah’s Secretary Shaphan, was appointed as governor to those left behind in Judah. He was under the watchful eyes of the Babylonians. He admonished the people saying, “Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.” Unpatriotic as it sounded yet it was the best they could do. The best they could do under this situation of deserved and unstoppable judgment was to simply accept it from the hand of God and do the right thing under the Babylonians.

Did Gedaliah know the words of Jeremiah? Most probably, that is, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.”[Jer 29:4,6] Nothing could be best other than abiding in the will of God even though we couldn’t comprehend everything about it.

However, Ishmael with ten others differed so that he killed Gedaliah along with the Jews and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah. Definitely, this could cause retaliation so that all the people fled to Egypt. A fulfilment that the land will be deserted, as Jeremiah declared, “Be warned, O Jerusalem, lest I turn from you in disgust, lest I make you a desolation, an uninhabited land.” [Jer 6:8] This was a 180 degree-turn. While Moses had brought them out from Egypt many years back, this time they went back to seek refuge in Egypt from Babylon.

Today, we are in pandemic captivity. God has allowed this and let us subscribe to His plan. Let’s not be a victim of a covid scare but be a victor by blooming in and for Christ. How could we make this Covid pandemic work for God and us? May God help us.


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