Options on the Table

How do we live in a world that seems so strange to how we live. 

A picture is presented before us in Jeremiah 40. Here Jeremiah is given the option of staying with the exiles in Babylon or returning to the land to dwell among the impoverished children of Israel left behind. 

Jeremiah 40:4–5 (ESV) Now, behold, I release you today from the chains on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you well, but if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, do not come. See, the whole land is before you; go wherever you think it good and right to go. 5 If you remain, then return to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed governor of the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people. Or go wherever you think it right to go.” So the captain of the guard gave him an allowance of food and a present, and let him go.

Jeremiah makes his choice very simply. He stays behind with the poor of the land.

Jeremiah 40:6 (ESV) Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, at Mizpah, and lived with him among the people who were left in the land. 

We must understand the significance of this choice. Jeremiah could have been treated well in Babylon. After all, he predicted this whole event. But instead, Jeremiah chooses to stay with the poor people the captain had left behind. Why does he do this? Perhaps because he knew that this land would eventually be returned to Israel. And perhaps he knew that those behind needed to remember that though they did not reign in this land at present, the one day would. But I think it is a picture for us in our exile. Jeremiah is the embodiment of the Word. Exiles needed the constant reminder that God was still going to act according to the Word.

But there’s even more to this picture. The person the Babylonians put in charge is named Gadaliah. He admonishes those left to build, plant and sow into the land in spite of their poor estate. He would represent them to the Chaldeans. Their work in the land pays off handsomely: 

Jeremiah 40:12 (ESV) then all the Judeans returned from all the places to which they had been driven and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah. And they gathered wine and summer fruits in great abundance. 

The picture for us is simple. God has not yet given us our home. We are in spiritual exile. The opening greeting in 1 Peter reminds us that this world is Babylon and we are chosen by God but yet strangers to those around us. 

1 Peter 1:1 (ESV) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 

What should we do with this world that seems so at odds with us? We must remember we have a true Gadaliah over us in heaven, Jesus Christ our advocate who represents us to the Father and watches over our fortunes. We also have the Word as the poor people left behind had Jeremiah among them. With Christ and the Word we have all that we need. He can and will bless faithful work in our spiritual exile so that when He returns and establishes the kingdom, we are well able to rule and reign with Him. And the promises of Scripture reminds us to stay steadfast to His ways knowing the Lord’s return is soon and so is our future glory.