Nearly all the Jews in Jerusalem were now taken captive. They were put in chains for the journey t o Babylon. However, God remembered Jeremiah and rewarded him for his faithfulness. The Chaldean captain released him and gave him the option of traveling along to Babylon or staying in Judah. Jeremiah chose to stay behind with the poor remnant of the people in the land of Judah. The captain gave him some food and a gift and left him go. God always takes care of His people and He did not forget how Jeremiah had tirelessly preached to the hard-hearted Jews.
It would seem that all should have been peaceful. There were very few Jews left, only the very poorest people. They had a governor over them. The Jews who had fled into other countries returned to live in Judah again, but peace did not last long. Soon someone warned the governor, Gedaliah, that the king of the Amorites had sent Ishmael to kill him, but Gedaliah did not believe them. He didn't have long to wait. Soon, Ishmael came with several men and had lunch with him. After the meal the killed Gedaliah, the governor. When some of the other Jews found out about it, they caught up with Ishmael as he fled, but he escaped with a few of his men.
So, things still were not peaceful in Judah. That's how it is: we reap what we sow. The Jews had disobeyed God and lived in wickedness for many years, and now they were reaping the consequences. Jeremiah, on the other hand, had his freedom to live as he wished and all his persecutors were in chains on their way to Babylon. He was finally getting his reward for a faithful life.
Gal 6:7
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked : for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
KJV
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