Calendar Date: August 25
Day of the Year: 237
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Lamentations 4-5; 2Kings 25:22-26; Jeremiah 40-42
Forfeiting Grace
A woman, looking out the window of an airplane (pictured above), wonders if she made the right decision. She turned down the proposal of her boyfriend and forfeited the chance to settle down into a good marriage. Why? Someone else might come by who could be a little more appealing.
A man (not pictured) gives up a chance for a stable job because it’s not his dream job, even though there aren’t better prospects on the horizon.
What is the danger of forfeiting? We might lose out on an opportunity. But what do we do when we aren’t sure of the right course?
A Costly Mistake
In today’s Bible reading, Babylon has destroyed the nation of Judah. Under a two-year siege, the Israelites suffered famine and starvation. After weakening Israel’s will to fight, their enemies broke down and burned Jerusalem’s walls. Then they killed or scattered the residents, and looted its temple, palace, and every other prominent building.
The remnant of Israel mourned their losses. Jeremiah, the prophet, wrote about them in graphic detail in the book of Lamentations. The Israelites gave up the grace that was once theirs.
The people of Judah lost everything—property, dignity, and nation, regardless of their wealth or religion. They were still famished and had to scrounge around for food and drink. Babylon humiliated them and caused a catastrophic loss of life and property.
What about us—have we counted the cost of the decision we're about to make?
Going Forward
Is God done with Israel? No, after the LORD allows Babylon to destroy her nation, he shares with them his plan to show them unusual grace (Lamentations 4:22a).This should encourage Christians; Israel’s God is our God. Although we may mess up, suffer significant losses, and not know the way forward, God's still gracious when we repent.
If you’re not a Christian, God can give you forgiveness, peace, spiritual life, and his favor. Just ask. (more...).
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon appointed Gedaliah to govern the area of Jerusalem after he killed King Zedekiah and his sons.
Gedaliah is a good, kind governor, who wants the small remnant of Jews in Jerusalem and Judea to have peace and prosperity. Their harvest will provide enough provisions to survive, despite being a vassal nation to Babylon and exporting most of their crops.
Gedaliah is content to overlook past animosities and offer peace to the Jewish army and the other refugees who have scattered. These Jews see an opportunity for peace in their land and to return home.
Discontent and Greed
For a few years, the Jewish people grow an abundant amount of grain and wine. Giving most of it away, however, is not acceptable to everyone. Under the prompting of the neighboring nation of Amon, Ishmael, son of Nethaniah (who is of royal Jewish blood), and ten men stage a coup against Gedaliah.They kill him, along with the Jews and Babylonian soldiers who are with him at Mizpah. This city is the new center of Israel after Jerusalem’s destruction. By killing Gedaliah, these Jews forfeit God’s grace. Why? They were ambitious, and their plan seemed better than God’s plan for them.
Are our plans too ambitious? Are we willing to wait on God or not? Can God’s provisions satisfy us, or are we greedy for more?
Not waiting on God has consequences
Ishmael and his ten men take all the Jewish remnants of Mizpah, including King Zedekiah’s daughters with them to Amon, but they need food and supplies. That same day, eighty men arrive from the northern territory of Israel and Samaria, mourning for the calamity fallen upon Judah. They come to worship God at the place where the temple once stood. Ishmael feigns sympathy for them and then kills seventy of them to take their provisions.
When the rest of the Jewish army and men of Judah discover the coup, they pursue Ishmael and rescue their people from him. They also kill two of his men before the rest escape. Because of the assassination of Gedaliah, however, they’re afraid to return to Israel. Instead, they go to Egypt because they think they’ll find peace and safety there.
While on their way to Egypt, they stop at Bethlehem to ask Jeremiah to seek the will of the LORD. They want to confirm their plans. In a spiritual-sounding proclamation, they promise Jeremiah whatever God says for them to do, they will do, good or bad.
When Jeremiah gives them the wrong answer from God (i.e., the answer they don’t want), they refuse to believe him. The LORD tells them they must not go to Egypt, or they’ll die. If they stay in the land of Judah, however, their captors will have mercy on them, and the LORD will protect them.
However, they determined their course. In reality, they’re just looking for God’s stamp of approval on their plans. They refuse to believe Jeremiah and continue on their journey to Egypt. Their stubbornness will lead to an almost complete wipeout of the Jewish people in Judah.
What about us—will we accept God’s plans for our life or resist them? What do we do when we are unsure of the right course to take? When do we quit, and when do we keep playing? If the LORD has been gracious to us, we need to follow his will, pray, trust him, and not forfeit, even if victory doesn’t look promising.
Discussion
What costly mistake did Israel make that led to her exile? What mistakes do we make that lead to unfortunate results?
Is God still with us after we sin? How can we go forward?
Why is it essential to wait on God for direction?
End notes: For a complete discussion of this matter, consult The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p.1187.
Judah recently had an alliance with Egypt against Babylon before Judah was destroyed.
Focus Verse
Psalm 101:6 “My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.” (NIV)
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: The Jews who fled to Egypt to escape the consequences of their treachery are not safe. Learn how wrong choices can hurt. Join us for our Next Lesson.
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