1. There were threats to God's plans (1-15)

There was a lot of political intrigue. Ishmael and his men were working with the Ammonites. They came to kill Gedaliah and all those working with him to govern Judah on behalf of the Babylonians. They filled the cistern with the dead. They forced many Jews to leave with them to the Ammonites. Johanan and his army officers pursued and defeated Ishmael, then freed his people from captivity. Political intrigue threatened to thwart God's plan.

2. Decisions made in fear are not blessed (16-18)

Johanan had a chance to plant faith in his people to stay in the land in accordance with God's will. But he was full of fear. He felt that after the assassination of Gedaliah and his supporters that the Babylonians would never understand and retaliate. They decided to flee to Egypt to escape.