The period of Gedalya ben Ahikam was a time of hope: there was optimism in the air and a feeling that the Kingdom of Judea was about to be comforted.
Immediately following the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, the King of Babylonia appointed Gedalya ben Ahikam as governor of the region. Common wisdom is that his reign was lacking something – he was a leader but not from the Davidic line, he was a naïve person who was not in touch with his surroundings, and he was only in charge of a small group of people.
However, it is important to take note the processes occurring during Gedalya's time.
Gedalya called upon the poor people of the land to begin the process of getting over the destruction of the Temple: "Fear not to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylonia, and it will go well with you… gather wine and dried figs and oil and put [them] into your vessels and dwell in your cities, which you have taken." (40:8-9). He tries to raise the spirits of the people still remaining in the land and convinces them to come to terms with the current situation.
Gedalya's message gains momentum and results in an exceptional development: "And also, all the Jews who [were] in Moab and among the children of Ammon and in Edom and who [were] in all the lands … And all the Jews returned from all the places they had been driven, and they came to the land of Judea to Gedalya." (40: 11-12). This is nothing less than a description of the Ingathering of Exiles – Jews from various countries return home to Judea and accept Gedalya's leadership.
Moreover, Gedalya heeds Yirmiyahu's repeated words of advice: "Serve the king of Babylonia, and live" (27:17). This is a utopian existence – a leader who listens to the Prophet and follows the ways of God, and the Jewish People who return home in the Ingathering of Exiles.
The period of Gedalya ben Ahikam was a missed opportunity to receive wonderful tidings. Judea was just about to receive the ultimate comfort. "Houses and fields and vineyards shall be purchased again in this land." (32:15).
However, the murder of Gedalya changed the entire situation and instead of comfort the remaining Jews were subjected to additional destruction in Egypt.
Adapted by HaTanakh.com Staff. You may listen to the original audio shiur here.