Vv. 1-3 Gedaliah, who ignored Johanan’s warning, invites Ishmael to share a meal with him without adequate guard. Ishmael, at the instigation of the anti-Babylonian Ammonites, kills Gedaliah, who was pro-Babylon. He also kills all the Jews with him as well as the Babylonian solders that were there. This was the consequence of obeying God but dealing too lightly with internal enemies. Righteousness and unrighteousness cannot intermingle. We cannot be yoked with unbelievers. Even today Satan will tempt us like an angel of light.
Vv. 4-10 The two faces of Satan are clearly shown. Ishmael hides his wickedness by pretending to greive before the pilgrims heading to Jerusalem with grieving hearts. He wins them over and escorts them to the city where he murders them and throws them into a cistern. He spares ten people to get food, but probably killed them after getting the food to hide the murders. Satan will approach us comforting us when we are going through hard times and smiling when we are happy. But when he accomplishes his purpose, he will throw us away coldly. Be careful of those who say they are only about peace, comfort, and blessing.
Vv. 11-15 After obedient Gedeliah disappeared, only murder for political profit remained in Judah. Johanan followed Ishmael, but he did this for his own benefit, not to seek God’s justice. He didn’t go to punish Ishmael for his wickedness, but because he was afraid of the revenge of Babylon. God keeps silent against this worldly fight in the mud. Where God is not respected as king, there will be greed and violence hidden behind a positive face.
