Johanan now finds himself as the leader of the community that had gathered around Gedaliah in Mizpah. He makes the decision to take this group of people, which represents the remnant of Judah, and to flee to Egypt because they fear reprisal from the Babylonians for the assassination of Gedaliah. The decision to go to Egypt is probably based on the fact that Egypt was the only neighbouring country that was not under Babylonian rule. This also continues the age-old pattern of the Lord’s people seeking refuge anywhere but from him. They stop at Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem as they make their way to Egypt. It is here that the next episode in the tragic story of Judah’s remnant unfolds, and the final part of Jeremiah’s ministry is introduced.
18 loin des Chaldéens dont ils avaient peur, parce qu'Ismaël, fils de Nethania, avait tué Guedalia, fils d'Achikam, que le roi de Babylone avait établi gouverneur du pays.