Flight to Egypt

Jeremiah 41;1-18

Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land. Ishmael also killed all the men of Judah who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, as well as the Babylonian[a] soldiers who were there.

Ishmael made captives of all the rest of the people who were in Mizpah—the king’s daughters along with all the others who were left there, over whom Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam. Ishmael son of Nethaniah took them captive and set out to cross over to the Ammonites.

And they went on, stopping at Geruth Kimham near Bethlehem on their way to Egypt to escape the Babylonians. They were afraid of them because Ishmael son of Nethaniah had killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land.

Why?

Where there is no God these people can do any detestable things. Ishmael killed king Gedaliah, and all 80 people came from north Israelite, they were come to worship the Lord with sad hearts.

Gedaliah did not care about the warning and the enemy in his country, sometimes the relatives may become enemies when they try to get their benefit.

People of Judah still don't know to rely on the Lord, but relied on men and foreign countries.

People fear Babylonia instead of the Lord, they didn't listen to the word of the Prophet Jeremiah so they escaped to Egypt.

以實馬利： 代表很有能力的人，用自己的方法、策略。有皇室血統、有武力、有法統、用愛國主義來取代神的心意。看來名正言順，當中卻沒有神的心意在當中，反而是自己的私意、權利燻心。神的心意不同於人的想法。

約哈難：代表另外一生有能力的人，但是靈命不成熟。把人救出來後，也怕迦勒底人，卻不願聽神的指示。想要救人，卻用人的方法。

基大利：照著耶利米吩咐，似乎一切都底定了，可以重新開始。但是過份自信、太相信自己人，在吃飯表示彼此信任，卻對方殺了。過份單純，不要過份自信，認為自己的判斷不會錯誤，沒有做一點的提防。我們要相信是神的話，不是相信自己。不要以為自己的判斷沒有問題。

How?

What I am afraid of? Whom I am fear? The Lord is my fortress and my shield. Do the right thing and give thanks to the Lord in everything I am doing. Don't worry and don't be afraid, but fear the Lord!