I’ve really been touched reading and translating recently, and wanted to share some of the things that have really touched me.
I’ve been translating in Jeremiah 39 and 40, and I’ve seen the time after Judah has been carried into captivity and Nebuchadnezzar put Gedaliah ben-Ahikam son of Shaphan in charge of the remnant of Judah. It seems that Jeremiah, now an older man, found some sort of refuge with Gedaliah for a time after he was given the option to stay in Israel by Nebuchadnezzar. But before long, Gedaliah was assassinated by one of the captains of Israel’s remaining armies in the land. He had a warning from the other captains that Ishmael was sent to kill him, but he wouldn’t hear it. Jeremiah’s life was thrown into tumult again. This made me hurt so bad for Jeremiah and Judah as a whole. It could have been such a good peaceful time in the land.
As we’re working our way towards the end of the Old Testament course*, we’re reading now in the Suffering and the Saints book**, in the Fall of Judah section. I fully recommend reading at least this section of the book.
I’ve just been sitting here crying, reading as Josiah and Jeremiah work so hard to purge Judah after 50+ years of sin and wickedness. Then Hilkiah the High Priest found a book and gave it to Shaphan. He brought it to Josiah, and gave it to him after all the “important” stuff was out of the way. That scene, with Josiah sitting there listening as that book was read, and what he must have been feeling… wow.
But also, it struck me that Gedaliah’s grandfather and father (Shaphan and Ahikam) had been with Josiah at the time the book of the Law was found and read. Jeremiah had a long history with Gedaliah’s whole family throughout Josiah’s reign and the captivity of Judah, just to see him killed by fellow Israelites.
Just feeling very sober. When I see Jeremiah’s life towards the end, and where Judah was, and then read where he started with Josiah, it just breaks my heart for him.
Like John David’s audio clip he sent out earlier this week, Jesus, help us love and value goodness, and peace, and the people in our lives! It doesn’t have to be this way for long. Things can change so quickly.
Aaron
* Old Testament Course (Pt. 1) – Going to Jesus.com
** Going to Jesus.com – Suffering and the Saints