The Daily RootedHome StoriesGradesChurchesWhat's NewAbout
Bible:
Answer key (separate)‹ Back to chapter 40

Prints on letter paper in black and white. No answers are printed on the student sheet.

Jeremiah 40 · Grade 4

A New Start in a Broken Land

Name Date

Read and Think

Jeremiah had been bound in chains among the captives gathered at Ramah. Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, released him. Even this Babylonian officer recognized that God had done what he said. Then he gave Jeremiah a choice. Behold, all the land is before you. Where it seems good and right to you to go, go there.

Jeremiah could have lived comfortably in Babylon under royal protection. Instead he went to Gedaliah at Mizpah and stayed among the poor people left in the land. Gedaliah, the new governor, urged everyone to serve the king of Babylon, settle down, and gather the harvest.

Scattered Jews from Moab, Ammon, and Edom returned, and God gave them an abundant harvest. But Johanan warned Gedaliah that Baalis, king of the Ammonites, had sent Ishmael to kill him. Gedaliah refused to believe it and would not let Johanan act. His trusting nature would soon cost him.

Show What You Know

  1. Where had the captives been gathered?

  2. What did even the Babylonian officer recognize?

  3. Where did Jeremiah choose to stay?

  4. Who warned Gedaliah of a plot?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

BabylonGedaliahgoodlandGod
  1. Even this Babylonian officer recognized that had done what he said.
  2. Behold, all the is before you.
  3. Where it seems and right to you to go, go there.
  4. Jeremiah could have lived comfortably in under royal protection.
  5. Instead he went to at Mizpah and stayed among the poor people left in the land.

Think About It

  1. Why do you think Jeremiah chose to stay with the poor instead of going to Babylon?

  2. What can we learn from the abundant harvest God gave after so much loss?

Memory Verse

Now, behold, I release you today from the chains which are on your hand. If it seems good to you to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will take care of you; but if it seems bad to you to come with me into Babylon, don’t. Behold, all the land is before you. Where it seems good and right to you to go, go there.”

Jeremiah 40:4 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being with me wherever I go. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What warning did Johanan give?
  • Why stay with people who need you?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.