September 3, 2013 – Jeremiah 41

It seems odd to have an entire chapter here, but no mention of Jeremiah.  This is a brutal account of the actions of Ishmael.  He not only seems power hungry, but psychotic.  I wasn’t sure what the men that came in rags were intending, I took them for just poor beggars, but he had them slaughtered as well.  And then he escapes.  I wonder if we have heard the last of him or why this scene is placed in here.  He is attacking Babylon, attacking those that were left in charge.  Are we supposed to see these actions as those of someone that continues to not listen to God?  God said to surrender to Babylon and you will be saved, but he is doing the opposite and even after defeat, continues to rise up.

We are also looking at Maccabees at the same time.  They are rising up, but with faith in God and to stop blaspheming in the Temple.  Ishmael seems to have no such care for God and is doing this for reasons that aren’t really explained.  Does he think he is saving Israel, does he just want power, is he psychotic?  It is hard to really say.  Curious as to whether we have seen the last of him