READ: Jeremiah 25:1-14 and 2 Chronicles 36:1-21
There
is a back story important to understanding the state of Israel at the start of
the book of Ezra.
Under
the leadership of Moses, the people of Israel had entered into a covenant
relationship with Yahweh. They agreed wholeheartedly to the terms and
conditions, understanding the blessings that would come with obedience and the
curses that would inevitably follow disobedience (see Ex 24). This covenant was
renewed shortly before Moses’ death (see Dt 29) and yet again under the
leadership of Moses’ successor, Joshua (see Jo 24). But over time, the people
rebelled against the Lord, engaging in idolatry and wickedness, and thus they
experienced the curses outlined in the covenant.
Yet,
true to His nature, God showed wave after wave of mercy, compassion and
unfailing love, offering salvation to His people whenever they cried out to
Him. This cycle of sin, supplication and salvation is the blaring theme in the
book of Judges. The time of the kings brought a shift to Jewish life. In his book, “Unlocking the Bible”, David
Pawson says, “The kings of Israel… had
absolute power… The king ruled by decree and not by debate. His influence over
his subjects was total, and therefore his character and conduct shaped society
during his rule. He stood as a representative of the nation before God, but
also as a representative of God before the nation.” The nation of Israel
split early on (Israel to the North and Judah to the South). Israel was led
astray by a string of wicked kings until the nation was conquered and dispersed
by Assyria. Only Judah was left, and she, too, was led astray by many wicked
and half-hearted rulers. Under the rule of Josiah, the book of the Law was
found and the covenant renewed one last time (see 2 Kings 23), but even his
reforms didn’t last and after his death, the nation was plunged back into sin
and idolatry. The end of 2 Chronicles describes the pitiful downfall of Judah
as the nation is ultimately defeated by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and
deported in three waves. The city of Jerusalem, with its impenetrable walls and
glorious temple is ravaged and burned, the people carried off into captivity.
All
this time, the Lord had sent prophets to warn the people, reminding them of the
covenant their ancestors agreed to and the blessings and curses that
accompanied it, but no one would listen. Jeremiah had prophesied the fall of
Jerusalem to Babylon and the subsequent 70 years of captivity, but his prophesy
fell on deaf ears. We are left with an acute sense of the marring effects of
sin against a holy God as the people are carried off in chains.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Our nation has never entered into a national
covenant with Yahweh, but Canada was founded upon Christian principles, upon
the beliefs that God exists as sovereign Lord and that the Bible is true and
good. How have you seen Canada stray from these early principles? We know from
Scripture that God judges the wickedness of the nations (even those who have
not entered into a covenant with Him). The moral state of our nation should not
cause us to fear or to complain; it should cause us to pray. Take time today to
uplift our country in prayer. If you are fearful or judgemental, bring these
feelings before our God and ask Him to give you His heart for Canada. Thank God
for the loving-kindness He showed to Israel and has shown to us.
2. The prophets stood up for truth, often
knowing in advance that no one would listen to them. Will you be spokesperson
for truth? Through the Apostle Paul, the Holy Spirit said that as we mature, we
will become firm in our faith. We will not be tossed around by the winds of
false teaching; rather we will speak the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:11-16).
Our conversation is to be gracious, loving and kind, but these things do not
mean that we must sacrifice truth! Rather, truth is glorified in this context.
But Scripture is clear: we must be people of truth and boldness, knowing that
not everyone will agree, and in fact that we will be hated because of Christ,
who is the Truth. Take some time to think about your call to truth as a
Christian. Ask God to show you where and how He wants you to specifically stand
for truth.
