Daily Devotion and Meditation on the Word of God on January 26, 2009.

Hello My Friend; Good day.

Our reading for today is from Jeremiah chapter 40. Jeremiah found favor with Nebuzaradan, commander of the Babylonian guard who released him at Ramah. Ramah, a city five miles north of Jerusalem was the place where the captives were screened before being sent to Babylon. Jeremiah was given an option to stay in Jerusalem or go to Babylon where he would be cared for. He chose to stay in Jerusalem with the poor remnants of his people. He was a type of Moses who prefared to remain with the suffering Hebrews in Egypt rather than remain in the palace of Pharoah. The commander gave him money and provisions and said these words of recognition:"The Lord your God decreed this disaster for this place. And now the Lord has brought it about; he has done just as he said he would." Gedaliah who was made a puppet governor of Jerusalem by the commander was foolish and could not listern to the warning of danger from Ishmael and his band of guerrillas.

The object lesson here focuses on the choices of two key people. Jeremiah was free to go anywhere, but he chose to remain in Jerusalem. It was better for him to be poor in his home land than to have great comfort and power with the wicked. He preferred hardship in Judah than the favor of an evil king in Babylon. Though hated by the Judean remnants, he maintained the reputation of being loyal to his people and not looked upon as a traitor. For Gedaliah, he was foolish to ignore the warnings of danger. He did not belong in the Royal line of David and was unqualified to rule as governor in Jerusalem. He was contented to serve as a puppet to Babylon. Listen to what he said to the leaders of the Jewish guerrilla bands: "Stay here and serve the king of Babylon and all will be well."(verse 9b). Such a position was unacceptable to the Jewish guerrillas. He had to die.

Prayer for today: Lord, thank you for saving Jeremiah the true Prophet and giving him the courage to remain with the poor remnants in the land under unfavorable conditions. Teach us to choose suffering with the poor and the dispossessed rather than rejoyce in the palaces of evil kings and unworthy leaders. This we pray through the One who came down from heaven to save us and be with us. Amen.

Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.