1. Released by God for a purpose (1-6)

The commander saw Jeremiah in chains. He released him and gave him freedom to go anywhere he wanted. This was the grace of God to his servant. Jeremiah could have felt it was time to retire and flee to a quiet village. But he chose to stay with Gedaliah, the new governor, where he could advise his people with God's words and pray.

2. God maintained the land for the future (7-16)

The poor people were allowed to stay and take care of the orchards and fields. Gedaliah was a trusted governor. The Jews in surrounding countries felt secure and trickled back to Judah to live. God's plan was to maintain the land and keep his people there to embrace the exiles when they returned. But there were those who were determined to undermine what God was doing.