The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Deuteronomy 25:17-19,
"Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. When the Lord your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!"
The Lord, through Moses, told the Israelites to not forget the way the Amalekites had treated them during their sojourn in the wilderness. The Amalekites had no fear of the Lord (verse 18) and attacked the Israelites who lagged behind while on their journey. For this, the Lord determined the Amalekites should be destroyed to the point they ceased to exist on the face of the earth, "you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven."
The Amalekites were eventually totally destroyed in the time of Hezekiah, 1 Cronicles 4:43, some seven centuries later. King Hezekiah was one of the good kings in Judah, one who did "what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God", 2 Chronicles 31:20. We are told a group of Simeonites during his reign (about 715 to 686 BC.) killed the remaining Amalekites.
What captures my attention this morning is that when the Lord has determined to hold culprits accountable, it may not be immediate, but the freight train of God's judgment is headed down the tracks on his timing.
It reminds me of Psalm 37:10-15:
"A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity.
The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken."
Because of this the psalmist says,
"Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land." Psalm 37:1-9.
No need to fret! Their day is coming! And... so is ours!
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 reply and let me know.
"Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. When the Lord your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!"
The Lord, through Moses, told the Israelites to not forget the way the Amalekites had treated them during their sojourn in the wilderness. The Amalekites had no fear of the Lord (verse 18) and attacked the Israelites who lagged behind while on their journey. For this, the Lord determined the Amalekites should be destroyed to the point they ceased to exist on the face of the earth, "you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven."
The Amalekites were eventually totally destroyed in the time of Hezekiah, 1 Cronicles 4:43, some seven centuries later. King Hezekiah was one of the good kings in Judah, one who did "what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God", 2 Chronicles 31:20. We are told a group of Simeonites during his reign (about 715 to 686 BC.) killed the remaining Amalekites.
What captures my attention this morning is that when the Lord has determined to hold culprits accountable, it may not be immediate, but the freight train of God's judgment is headed down the tracks on his timing.
It reminds me of Psalm 37:10-15:
"A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity.
The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken."
Because of this the psalmist says,
"Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land." Psalm 37:1-9.
No need to fret! Their day is coming! And... so is ours!
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 reply and let me know.
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