The Saga of Johanan

The Saga of Johanan
Jeremiah 40:8 et al

Intro: Johanan was one of several captains of the armies of Israel who was strong in several areas of his life and in his duty to his country; but the lessons from his life are ones that we dare not miss.

The first mention of his name comes at the time of Jerusalem’s fall, when many of the people of Israel were taken captive to Babylon and a remnant was left behind. In total his name is mentioned 14 times in Jeremiah (See Jeremiah 40:7-8).

I. Johanan the Soldier – 40:8, 13-15; 41:11-16

Johanan was a captain in the armies of Judah and loyal to the nation as well as the governor appointed by the King of Babylon. He was willing to go to battle against the enemy of the governor, Gedaliah. In the eyes of the people he is a war hero.

II. Johanan the Seeker – 42:1-6

So far so good concerning this man. He has fought valiantly, correctly identified the enemy, sought to defeat him, and delivered his people from Ishmael. He is even seeking counsel from Jeremiah—asking for a word from the LORD.

Remember that in the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives. Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite to the rest—something almost absurd. But the voice happens to be the Light of the World.

III. Johanan the Stubborn – 43:1-7

Johanan and the other captains heard the words of Jeremiah, the light in their “foggy” time and stubbornly ignored it. Judah was the place for them to remain and be in the center of God’s will. Instead, they chose Egypt. They would not know prosperity and peace because of their decision, only punishment.

How do I avoid the same type of fate that Johanan and the others experienced?

1. Be a different kind of Soldier – 2 Timothy 2:3-4
- Jesus Christ the Captain, the Crucified, the Conqueror

2. Be a different kind of Seeker – 2 Timothy 2:4
- Pray for the will of God to be known.
- Listen to God’s instructions.
- Do what God says.

“The problems we encounter in life are many times due to what is inside us, not what is inside others.”

3. Be a different kind of Stubborn – 2 Timothy 2:4
- Refuse to follow that which will ruin your life.
- Refuse to follow that which will return you to captivity.

Because Johanan refused to listen to the counsel of Jeremiah the Prophet, he led the people into Egypt where they would only know defeat. This was not God's plan for His people; it is not God's plan for us today to live in captivity and bondage. Jesus Christ delivered us from our captivity, but if we are not the right kind of stubborn, we will find ourselves in places we do not want to be.

God’s Will
I am not sent a pilgrim here, My heart with earth to fill;
But I am here God’s grace to learn, And serve God’s sovereign will.
No service in itself is small, None great, though earth it fill;
But that is small that seeks its own, And great that seeks God’s will.
Then hold my hand, most gracious Lord, Guide all my doings still;
And let this be my life’s one aim, To do, or bear thy will.