Gedaliah
The Appointed Governor
Name Information
- Meaning: "The Lord is great"
- Language of Origin: Hebrew
- Gender Usage: Masculine
Gedaliah was appointed governor of Judah by the Babylonians after Jerusalem’s fall. Known for his trust and attempts at peace, he was assassinated, leading to further tragedy for the remnant in Judah.
⏰ Babylonian Exile (c. 586 BC)
Roles
- Governor
Relationships
- Father: Ahikam
- Enemy: Ishmael son of Nethaniah
Story
After Jerusalem’s destruction, Gedaliah was placed in charge at Mizpah.
Welcomed refugees and sought to stabilize life in Judah.
Ignored warnings about a plot against his life.
Murdered by Ishmael, bringing chaos and fear to the remnant.
Spiritual Significance
- Appointed by Nebuchadnezzar to govern the remnant in Judah.
- Encouraged the people to serve Babylon peacefully.
- Assassinated by Ishmael, which caused survivors to flee to Egypt.
What We Can Learn
- Even leaders with good intentions must be discerning about danger.
- Ignoring wise counsel can have devastating consequences.
- Peaceful cooperation is sometimes the wisest path in God’s plan.
Memory Verses
Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, took an oath to reassure them and their men. 'Do not be afraid to serve the Babylonians,' he said. 'Settle down in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.'
— Jeremiah 40:9
Key Passages
- 2 Kings 25:22–26
- Jeremiah 40–41
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