Jeremiah 41:9 Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, [was] it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: [and] Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with [them that were] slain.
The Ishmael mentioned in Jeremiah is not the son of Abraham and Hagar, B. C. 1910. He was at first regarded as “the son of the promise;” but after the birth and weaning of Isaac, he was driven from his father’s house, at the age of about seventeen, and took with his mother the way to Egypt, her native land. That Ishmael is behind the name Islam, for they believe he was the chosen one by birthright and not Isaac. When they celebrate Bakri Eid (Eid al-Adha) they believe Ismael was being sacrificed by Abraham and not Isaac.
The Ishmael mentioned in today’s scripture has a very short history that is recorded in Jeremiah and Kings (a book/s which Jeremiah had a hand in). The story in brief is that he is the son of Nethaniah, of the ‘seed royal’, but of what family is not known. His craft and ferocity shew that he was unworthy of a throne. He treacherously slew Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the cities of Judah, and all the Jews that were with him in Mizpah. He followed up this crime by the cruel and treacherous murder of eighty men from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria, who were bringing gifts to the temple, only ten being spared. He then carried away captive all that were left in Mizpah, and departed to go over to the Ammonites; but Johanan the son of Kareah, and those with him, rescued the captives. Ishmael escaped and is heard of no more. 2Ki 25:23-25 Jer 40:8-16 41:1-18.
The name Ishmael means ‘God will hear’. The son of Abraham was blessed like Jacob with 12 sons and a blessing that is visible even today with those who follow the religion under his name. The Ishmael of Jeremiah showed a treacherous character like the prophet of that religion, who deceived people and openly stated their god is the ‘greatest deceiver’.
Many a time we see there is power in the name we take on ourselves or claim protection under. In the Bible, we see they took names seriously and named after a promise or an event that happened in their lives. Let us be aware that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that we come under has power and it directly or indirectly affects our lives.
[Prayer Starter]
Lord, You are Almighty God. You, Lord, are Holy God. You are Perfect in every way. Jesus, as man, protects us in Your Name, the Name You have given Him. Lord, we pray we understand the power of a Name and thus believe that we are under Your Name, thus different from others of this world…
This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Jeremiah 41:1, 7-8
1 Now it came to pass in the seventh month, [that] Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.
7 And it was [so], when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, [and cast them] into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that [were] with him.
8 But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.
John 17:12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Dated 10 Aug 2026
Bro Rollwyn