Jeremiah 41

“Ishmael also struck down all the Judeans who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, and the Chaldean soldiers who happened to be there” (v3). While many wealthy Judeans were exiled, some people were left in the land under Gedaliah, the leader appointed by the Babylonians. The Ammonites took advantage of this fragile arrangement and sent Ishmael to kill Gedaliah, capture the people, and take control. The Judean military leader Johanan came to the rescue and freed the people, but the land was in chaos (v16).

Through Jeremiah, God had called His people to repent, because He knew that their sins would lead to this chaos, loss, and violence. He calls us to obedience so that we can experience peace.