Plundered

Read 2 Chronicles 12

Read Isaiah 42

Isaiah 42 is a marvelous prophecy of Jesus Christ. What food for deep and meaningful meditation! I'm actually going to comment on the 2 Chronicles reading, however, which relates the plundering of Jerusalem. Our readings are connected by Isaiah 42:24, which states that the Lord gave his people up to looters because they had turned their backs on them.

Indeed, we see that described vividly in 2 Chronicles 12. Egypt comes up and plunders them. God is gracious and keeps Jerusalem from being destroyed, but their wealth was stripped from them. Ironic, isn't it? We recall a story of how Israel plundered Egypt. After the 10th plague, the Pharaoh finally let Israel go, and the Israelites took Egypt's silver, gold, jewels, and wealth of all kinds.

Why did Israel plunder Egypt? And why did Egypt now plunder Israel? Is it all politics, history, nations at war, and all that? Or is there something more?

The Bible tells us it has everything to do with Israel's standing before God. Purely by grace, Israel was chosen by God to be blessed, and to be a blessing to other nations. When Israel cried out in faith to God, trusting in him for mercy and deliverance, God was faithful and just to rescue. When Israel turned their back on God, who had done so much for them, however, they suffer consequences. Israel's rejection and rebellion is a terrible offense to God. No wonder why God allowed Egypt to plunder.

And so we too are faced with daily choices: to walk in the ways of God who has redeemed us through the cross, and to trust in his mercy and grace, or to turn our backs on him. What is it going to be? There is a lot riding on it, friends. There are consequences.

Thanks be to God that he has forgiven us our many sins, so that the (spiritual) enemy is defeated and plundered. Certainly we have many riches of God's grace! May you live in that grace today, trusting God and obeying his commands.

Ask Yourself:

What choices will face me today? Whom will I serve? Whom will I trust?

Do I rejoice in the victory God won for me? The enemy has been routed!

Pray:

Pray from your heart today concerning the answers to the questions above.

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!