Bible Study Guide/ Jeremiah 40, (24-BSG-40K)/ Discussion Questions

TO THINK ABOUT AND DISCUSS – [1] Johanan along with all the army officers, reported to Gedaliah that “Baalis king of the Ammonites” had sent “Ishmael son of Nethaniah” (Jer. 40:13-14) to take his life. Why would the king of Ammon conspire with Ishmael to kill Gedaliah? What was the motivation?

[2] Why didn’t God speak to Jeremiah concerning Gedaliah and the plot to take his life? Why God allow all the scattered Jews to return home if their leader was soon to be killed?

[3] Why didn’t Gedaliah go to the prophet Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord about the news of the coup being plotted.

[4] Many speculations have been thrown out there about Gedaliah’s neglect of this grave warning –(his assassination’s plot). He had been given a duty by Nebuchadnezzar and thus God: to gather all the people of Jerusalem and Judah together, and that is what he was doing. God tells us, “At the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses is a thing proven” (Deut. 19:15; Matt. 18:16). Gedaliah had only Johanna’s word that Ishmael was being sent to kill him. Does this principle still applicable today?

[5] Why bad things happen to good people? Regardless of what evil Satan plots against us, its true that “all things work together for good to them that love God,” (Rom 8;28) .. even our death! But, should we take things for granted? We see Paul doing the same thing: he ignored plots to kill him. Was this a mistake?

[6] Though we are told to “keep our eyes upon the LORD Jesus” (Heb. 12:1-3), should we avoid any report of dangers out there and carry on with our normal life simply because our trust is in the LORD? Or should we take precautions against such evil plots/ rumors/ reports?

FOR FURTHER STUDY –[7] Kings in the past always went to the prophet to know what God’s instructions were concerning any situation. From Saul, to David, to Hezekiah, etc. Even the last king Zedekiah cowardly went to Jeremiah (Jer. 38:14-26) to know what God’s instructions were (even though he knew). It should have been expected for Gedaliah to go to Jeremiah and inquired of the LORD for answers. I am sure God in His mercy would have responded to Jeremiah as His prophet. Why didn’t he go? Was this a missed opportunity?

FOR SELF-EXAMINATION –[8] “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NKJV). How does this promise apply to us today? Discuss your answer from the context of events in Jeremiah 40.

FOR LIFE TODAY: “And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him: “The Lord your God has pronounced this doom on this place. Now the Lord has brought it, and has done just as He said. Because you people have sinned against the Lord, and not obeyed His voice, therefore this thing has come upon you.” (Jeremiah 40:2–3, NKJV)

[9] Nebuzaradan acknowledged that the fall of Judah was due to her unfaithfulness. To this extent the Babylonians believed Jeremiah’s message. However, Jeremiah had also prophesied judgement against Babylon which is explained in greater details in Daniel 5. The point is: God is consistent. Make no mistake, all rebellion by His people; all rejection by unbelievers will be punished (read Rev. 14:9-11; 19:19-20; 21:8; 20:15)

Pay attention to this text: “In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:8–9, NKJV) How can we prepare for the final judgment? How does this truth help you to evangelize to backslidden Christians as well as non-believers? (Compare the message of Roman 1:18-32)

[10] The testimony of Nebuzaradan shows that the foreigners were more respondent to God’s Word than His own people. The heathen monarch recognized that the fall of Jerusalem was a direct result of Judah’s sin. In other words, the destruction of Jerusalem was a witness not only to Judah but to Babylon as well. Though they worshipped false gods, they realized something of great import here: the God of Jeremiah was the true Jehovah God! How can we be careful to conduct our lives as if Ambassadors of Christ? How can we conduct our lives with integrity knowing that “many” are watching?

FOR GOING DEEPER –[11] Consider again the major truth expressed in Jeremiah 40:11 — “But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam did not believe them.” How does Deut. 19:15 and Matt. 18:16 expand your understanding of establishing credible evidence vs. witnesses? When discussing consider the side effect of total neglect of valuable information— which culminated in Gedaliah’s death (Jer. 40:1-3) –something that could have been easily avoided!

PERSONAL IMPLICATIONS –[12] ”That they may know that I am the Lord.” Does God desire that all sinners be saved? Yes (read Luke 5:32; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 18:23; Mat. 23:37). God’s purpose is that both believers and nonbelievers should come to the saving knowledge of the true God. How do you participate in God’s will of salvation (you and your fellow men) – more especially those who do not know the truth about God, His soon Return, and Life after death?

[13] God never reveals all. Why didn’t God reveal to Martin Luther for example about the Sabbath? Why didn’t He save Paul as He saved Peter? God only gives us what we can bear. What we need for this day (cf. Mt 6:11). Perhaps hearing that Gedaliah would be killed and his brothers and sisters would run to Egypt would have proven “too much” for Jeremiah? On this day: ask God to revel to you ‘only’ that which you can bear!