Freedom in Captivity

Jeremiah 40, 41 & Psalm 74 & 79

Jeremiah’s story continues.  Nebuzaradan finds him in shackles and manacles, chained up among the exiles headed out of town.   Nebuzaradan releases him, fully aware and acquainted with this prophet and his messages.  Jeremiah’s reputation preceding him.  And Nebuzaradan has a healthy respect for the words and for the man who utters them, bearing witness to the mighty act of God using Babylon to fulfill these words.

Not only does Nebuzaradan release Jeremiah, but he sends him off with provisions and a present and a directive to go wherever he pleases.   Jeremiah chooses to go back and live with Gedaliah, who becomes governor of Judah, as appointed by Nebuchadnezzar.  Appointed to oversee those left behind “to harvest the wine, summer fruit and oil, and put them in storage jars. “vs 10 to 12.   This plenty in this former land of inheritance.   God’s wrath on the people but there is no curse on the soil.  

It’s so interesting to read the Psalms in these readings. 

They date back to the exile, say the NIV Notes. 

Part of Israel’s Songbook.

These lyrical appeals to God for rescue based on His past mighty acts, His promises and His covenant relationship with Israel. An appeal to God to stick up for Israel for the sake of His Own Holy Name.   Surely?!

And we often assume these songs were all celebration songs written by the kings and poets, and songs of ascents by happy worshippers.  But no, they were also written by uprooted people longing for home and looking for hope. That these exiles still had a voice and cried out and that the artists among them composed songs.  They still begged and pleaded and claimed their ancestry.  Someone was still telling their story to their children and their grandchildren.  Relating and sharing their heritage. 

Every day there is something current and relatable in this old prophetic book.  Words that have relevance for the way we are walking today.