◄ Jeremiah 40:16 ►
But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, "Do not do such a thing! What you are saying about Ishmael is a lie." Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 40:16? 2. How does Jeremiah 40:16 demonstrate God's protection over His chosen leaders? 3. What can we learn about discernment from Gedaliah's response in Jeremiah 40:16? 4. How does Jeremiah 40:16 connect with Proverbs 3:5-6 on trusting God? 5. How can we apply Gedaliah's trust in God to our daily decisions? 6. What does Jeremiah 40:16 teach about the importance of seeking God's guidance? 7. What is the historical context of Jeremiah 40:16 and its significance in biblical history? 8. How does Jeremiah 40:16 reflect God's sovereignty and justice? 9. What role does Jeremiah play in the events of Jeremiah 40:16? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 40? 11. Jeremiah 40 (especially verses 13–16) – Are there any external accounts to corroborate or challenge the internal conflicts hinted at, particularly with Ishmael’s faction? 12. Jeremiah 40:5-6 - How historically plausible is it that Jeremiah traveled freely to live with Gedaliah despite the chaos of the Babylonian occupation? 13. How does this account align with or contradict the parallel narrative in 2 Kings 25:22-26 regarding Gedaliah's murder? 14. Do the promises in Jer 42 about the safety of the remnant conflict with the calamities in Jer 43? Discussion Questions 1. What can we learn from Gedaliah's response to Johanan's warning about the importance of discernment in leadership? 2. How does the account of Gedaliah and Ishmael illustrate the balance between trust and caution in our relationships? 3. In what ways does the outcome of Gedaliah's account reflect the biblical principle found in Proverbs 14:15 about the prudent and the simple? 4. How can we apply the lessons from Gedaliah's experience to our own lives when faced with warnings or advice from others? 5. Reflect on a time when you ignored a warning or advice. What were the consequences, and how might this passage encourage you to respond differently in the future? Jeremiah 40 Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jeremiah's release by Nebuzaradan confirm the fulfillment of his prophecies? 2. How does Jeremiah's decision to stay with Gedaliah reflect his trust in God's plan? 3. How does Gedaliah's leadership influence the scattered Judahites? 4. How do the people of Judah attempt to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the fall of Jerusalem? 5. How might the news of Gedaliah's appointment have given hope to the people of Judah? 6. How does Johanan's warning reflect the power dynamics among the remnants of Judah? 7. What can Gedaliah's disbelief about Ishmael's plot tell us about his character? 8. How does the harvesting of summer fruits, wine, and oil symbolize hope and rejuvenation? 9. How does this chapter reflect the theme of trust in God's plans? 10. What lessons can we draw from the chapter regarding leadership and governance? 11. How does Jeremiah's choice between Babylon and Mizpah reflect the concept of freedom in the Bible? 12. How can one discern true warnings from false ones, as in the case of Gedaliah and Johanan? 13. How might the dynamics between Gedaliah, Ishmael, and Johanan apply to conflicts in contemporary society? 14. How can we apply Jeremiah's trust in God to our own life decisions? 15. How does this chapter demonstrate the role of prophecy in the Old Testament? 16. How can you, in your own life, cultivate unity and compassion as the Judahites did after their trials? 17. How can we discern when to heed warnings from others in our own lives, in light of Gedaliah's response to Johanan? 18. How does the interaction between Jeremiah and Nebuzaradan demonstrate respect and understanding between different cultures or religions? 19. How can we apply the lessons of rebuilding after calamity, as illustrated by the Judahites, in our communities today? 20. If you were Jeremiah, would you have made the same choice to stay with Gedaliah? Why or why not? Links Jeremiah 40:16 NIV Jeremiah 40:16 NLT Jeremiah 40:16 ESV Jeremiah 40:16 NASB Jeremiah 40:16 KJV Jeremiah 40:16 Commentaries Bible Hub