JEREMIAH FREED (vs. 1-6)
The commander of the guard freed Jeremiah from the chain on his wrist and told him either to come with him or to go back to Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon has appointed on the town of Judah. Then commander gave Jeremiah provision and a present. Jeremiah chose to go back to Gedaliah and stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land.
GEDALIAH ASSASINATED (vs. 7-16)
Gedaliah told the people: “Do not be afraid to serve the Babylonians. Settle in the land and serve the King of Babylon and it will go well with you. I will stay at Mizpah to represent you before the Babylonians but you are to harvest the wine, summer fruit and oil and put them in your storage jar and live in the town you have taken in.”
Johanan told Gedaliah that Baalis, king of the Ammonites has sent Ismael to assassinate him but Gedaliah would not believe. Johanan was asking Gedaliah the permission to kill Ishmael but Gedaliah told him not to do such thing.
THOUGHT:
Jeremiah had the freedom to go anywhere. He could go to Babylon to enjoy great comfort and power. But if he would decide to stay in Judah, he would face hardships. Nevertheless, he chose to return to Judah and be the comfort to those left in Judah.