Saturday
The fall of Jerusalem. It was predicted, it was spoken about, it was the result of a promise.
God had warned His people over and over again. But the leaders would not listen, the people would not listen. So what do you do as a Holy God who loves his children? How do you make them listen to you? The Northern Kingdom had fallen years earlier. And now it was Judah’s turn. Judah was invaded by the Babylonians three times, just as Israel had been invaded by the Assyrians three times. God in his great mercy had over and over again tried to get His people to repent and turn back to Him.
So, Jerusalem was the last stronghold. But it too (as prophesied) fell. They had put their hopes on their ally Egypt but Egypt pulled out when the fighting got tough. They were afraid of this overpowering enemy. What had God told His chosen people? Don’t put your trust in Egypt or in your own strength.
“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.” Isa 31:1
Nebuchadneszzar, King of Babylon held a siege from Zedekiah’s 9th year, 10th month, 10th day of his reign, until the 11th year, 4th month, 9th. So to put this into modern terminology that would be like October 10, 2009 until April 9, 2011. That friends is a year and a half of nothing coming into the city. No food or supplies of any kind getting into the city. Famine would have been so severe. So an attempt was made to escape. The king would leave behind his dying city and try to save himself. This did not go well, and Zedekiah was captured. They killed his sons before him, and blinded him. What a humiliating action to bring shame to the king of Judah. This was common practice in the ancient world. It would represent total domination over the enemy.
The Babylonian army then sets about completely destroying the city. They carry off into captivity all those who had some standing in the community, and left only the poorest people to serve as slaves in the vineyards and fields.
This was a dark day in the life of the Israelites. It would mark a turning point for them. Before the exile, after the exile. Even though there were several good kings that followed God throughout the years, there was just not the changing of the heart that God wanted to see happen.
I think this could be our story if weren’t for the work of Jesus on the cross to redeem us from ourselves and our sinful nature. Our minds may want to follow the Lord’s path, but our hearts need to be transformed and without the Holy Spirit we just can’t do it on our own. So at the end of our reading today, there is a glimmer of hope for the people. God has not abandon them. They will return and one day soon, the Messiah will come. The question is… will they receive Him? The question for us, for you; is have you received Him?
Sharing the Message
Pastor Kathy