Prayer: Father, may I never experience the hardship of forced relocation either by exile or deportation. What a sad day for all of Judah. Amen.
Reading: 2 Kings 24 key: vs.14-16 “Then He exiled all Jerusalem—all the captains, all the mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and the smiths—10,000 exiles. None was left except the poorest sort of the people of the land. So he deported Jehoiachin to Babylon, along with the king’s mother, the king’s wives, his officials and the notables of the land—he deported all as captives from Jerusalem to Babylon. All the men of valor, 7,000 strong and fit for war, and 1,000 craftsmen and smiths, the king of Babylon also took as captives to Babylon.” TLV
Attention: Americans have never experienced exile or deportation at the hands of another nation. I have read and been taught at university level about today’s scheduled scriptures with an unemotional, stoic approach. The Hebrew nation living in Judah and Jerusalem were extracted from their home and taken to a land which was very different culturally.
I drove school bus for seven years. In that school district, there were over seventy different languages represented. At times it was necessary to communicate with parents from different cultures and fortunately, translators who knew the language were available. It is difficult for parents to pick up a new language. Notice in the text of Daniel 1:5, the prized youth were taught and trained. They were enculturated into the Babylonian system and even given new names.
Their deportation and exile were forced subjugation. They were forcibly taken from their land, home, their worship center in Jerusalem, and settled in a foreign land and culture. The Babylonian cultural was centered around “a complex and highly polytheistic system of belief common throughout Mesopotamia. Of the thousands of recognized gods, only about 20 were important in actual practice (pg. 160 Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary).”
Have no delusion, Adonai had brought this judgement on Judah because of their sins against Him. They had forsaken Him for neighboring gods. His longsuffering had reached a limit (vs. 3) and He gave them over to Babylon.
I believe there are parallels with Israel and America. Judgement has come and is coming from within and without. The judgement of America may not include exile or deportation, but we can always become subjected to another power.
Action: I choose to be in right relationship with Adonai.
Yield: I choose to submit to the sovereignty of Adonai.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Spirit of Adonai in living a lifestyle exclusive to Him.
Relationship: I choose to live in intimacy with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I ask that America will turn from evil and towards You. May those who follow You turn toward You with a renewed fervor and humility. Amen.
Memory Verse: Psalms 119: 92-94 “If Your Torah had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts. For with them You have kept me alive. I am Yours, save me! For I have sought out Your precepts.” TLV
Music Video: Casting Crowns—I Am Yours https://youtu.be/9ujSGPxnIKc?si=_Ymfmh8y6TeV699u
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”