Jeremiah 40:2-3
“The captain of the bodyguard singled out Jeremiah and said to him, ‘Your GOD pronounced doom on this place. GOD came and did what he had warned he’d do because you all sinned against GOD and wouldn’t do what he told you. So now you’re all suffering the consequences. But today, Jeremiah, I’m setting you free, taking the chains off your hands. If you’d like to come to Babylon with me, come along. I’ll take good care of you. But if you don’t want to come to Babylon with me, that’s just fine, too. Look, the whole land stretches out before you. Do what you like. Go and live wherever you wish. If you want to stay home, go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan. The king of Babylon made him governor of the cities of Judah. Stay with him and your people. Or go wherever you’d like. It’s up to you.’”
“The captain of the guard called for Jeremiah and said, ‘The LORD your God has brought this disaster on this land, just as he said he would. For these people have sinned against the LORD and disobeyed him. That is why it happened. But I am going to take off your chains and let you go. If you want to come with me to Babylon, you are welcome. I will see that you are well cared for. But if you don’t want to come, you may stay here. The whole land is before you—go wherever you like.’”
The captain of the bodyguard looked for Jeremiah amongst the captives. He glibly pointed out their error in forsaking God. Pagan religions were focused on appeasing one’s god. If they didn’t sing and dance before their deity in the correct way he abandoned them. The captain did not grasp the otherness of Israel’s God. This God did not want his people to dance for him, but with him. I hope this captain came to know more of this ‘other’ God as he traveled with Israelite captives back to Babylon.
God gave Jeremiah lots of options for his future. After years of being driven by God’s Spirit he is offered his own choice. Jeremian’s heart lay with his people. He wanted to go home, wouldn’t you?
Lord thank you for teaching me to dance with you. May I learn more new steps and be increasingly trustful of your lead. Grace me to share you with others, the Almighty God who cares so tenderly for his people.