The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Kings 17:22-23,
"The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them until the Lord removed them from his presence, as he had warned through all his servants the prophets. So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria, and they are still there."
The Lord gave his covenanted people Israel more than fair warning of the disaster that awaited them if they turned from him. However, as we read in verse 14, "They would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the Lord their God." All about trust in the Lord, all about faith in the Lord. Israel had placed herself apart from any meaningful use by the Lord in his pursuit of the redemption of mankind. Since they had made themselves useless to the Lord's agenda, they were thrown out, just like trash. The judgment of the Lord can and has been overwhelmingly devastating.
One wonders what the thinking of the Israelites was. To what end did they suppose their existence as God's chosen people was owed? Why on earth did they fail to see their part in God's great redemption of mankind? How was it they missed their grand appointment, their lofty purpose, the unspeakable honor and prestige of being chosen by God for his purposes?
Sadly, such is sin. The grand appointment as God's covenanted people, the lofty purpose to what they were called to, the honor and prestige of being chosen by God for his highest purpose for mankind was tossed out like garbage, and so they were as well. "So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria, and they are still there." In captivity, estranged from God, separated from his purposes. Israel had made herself useless.
The remarkable thing about the Lord, though, is how he can make treasure from trash. The southern kingdom of Judah was still in existence at this time, however, they would be headed in the same direction in just a few generations. Israel, it might be thought, would be done. But... our heavenly father can do the remarkable. Paul tells us, "God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not." Romans 4:17b.
Following the fall of the southern kingdom of Judah in 586 BC, and her captivity of seventy years, the Lord brought Israel back to life, used her to prepare the world (through the instruction of the prophets and the Scriptures), and to bring his Son into the world, Jesus Christ, to provide for the redemption of all who place their faith in him.
Amazing how the Lord can make treasure from trash! Just look at all of us who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
"The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them until the Lord removed them from his presence, as he had warned through all his servants the prophets. So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria, and they are still there."
The Lord gave his covenanted people Israel more than fair warning of the disaster that awaited them if they turned from him. However, as we read in verse 14, "They would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the Lord their God." All about trust in the Lord, all about faith in the Lord. Israel had placed herself apart from any meaningful use by the Lord in his pursuit of the redemption of mankind. Since they had made themselves useless to the Lord's agenda, they were thrown out, just like trash. The judgment of the Lord can and has been overwhelmingly devastating.
One wonders what the thinking of the Israelites was. To what end did they suppose their existence as God's chosen people was owed? Why on earth did they fail to see their part in God's great redemption of mankind? How was it they missed their grand appointment, their lofty purpose, the unspeakable honor and prestige of being chosen by God for his purposes?
Sadly, such is sin. The grand appointment as God's covenanted people, the lofty purpose to what they were called to, the honor and prestige of being chosen by God for his highest purpose for mankind was tossed out like garbage, and so they were as well. "So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria, and they are still there." In captivity, estranged from God, separated from his purposes. Israel had made herself useless.
The remarkable thing about the Lord, though, is how he can make treasure from trash. The southern kingdom of Judah was still in existence at this time, however, they would be headed in the same direction in just a few generations. Israel, it might be thought, would be done. But... our heavenly father can do the remarkable. Paul tells us, "God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not." Romans 4:17b.
Following the fall of the southern kingdom of Judah in 586 BC, and her captivity of seventy years, the Lord brought Israel back to life, used her to prepare the world (through the instruction of the prophets and the Scriptures), and to bring his Son into the world, Jesus Christ, to provide for the redemption of all who place their faith in him.
Amazing how the Lord can make treasure from trash! Just look at all of us who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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