1. The remnant returns (40:7-16)

Gedaliah was appointed governor of the occupied Judah. He lived in Mizpah, near the center of the land, and did his best to be a good shepherd for his scattered people. Jeremiah stayed with him. Jews who had been living in the surrounding countries trusted him and returned to settle down in Judah. They harvested an abundance of wine and summer fruit. Johanan and his officers also joined Gedaliah.

2. Two-faced Ishmael (40:17-41:15)

Johanan warned Gedaliah not to trust Ishmael, an anti-Babylonian relative of King Zedekiah, with suspicious connections in Ammon, Israel's ancient enemy. He offered to secretly kill Ishmael. Gedaliah, however, accepted Ishmael as a brother, and showed him hospitality. Then, while they were eating, Ishmael and his ten men assassinated Gedaliah. A vicious purge followed, until Johanan arrived with his small army. Then Ishmael fled to Ammon.

Application: Lord, help me to be a shepherd, not a politician, even though it might be costly.
One Word: A good shepherd was killed