A Defeated People -1

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard,

lest at any time we should let them slip.

Hebrews 2:1

Even though we see the church slip-sliding further and further from the truth of God, it’s no different than what happened in the days recorded in the Old Testament with God’s chosen as they allowed themselves to become acclimated to the world instead of to the standards of God. If we heed the warning of Apostle Paul, he tells us that

All the tests they endured on their way through the wilderness are a symbolic picture, an example that provides us with a warning so that we can learn through what they experienced. 2 Corinthians 10:11

This is why it is so crucial that we be all the more engaged and attentive to the truths that we have heard so that we do not drift off course.   

So, let’s take a look at a particular time when the children of Israel paid the consequences for their slip-sliding ways. The opening words of the book of Daniel is a record of defeat. The defeat of God’s chosen people by a pagan nation, Babylon. The bible tells us:

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and besieged it. Daniel 1:1

But Jerusalem’s defeat should not have come as a surprise to them. Prophet after prophet; Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, warned the people. For years they had given counsel, first on how to avoid such a fate, and when that was no longer possible, how to make the best of a bad situation. But the prophets preached to the wind. Twice the Israelites revolted against Babylonian rule, and twice the city would be captured by Nebuchadnezzar. And the Israelites found themselves more heavily oppressed each time. In the end, the city was burned; the citizens taken captive - and for that they had none but themselves to blame:

And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god. Daniel 1:2

King Nebuchadnezzar, the enemy of the children of Israel and definitely not a worshipper of God, attributed the success of the conquest to his gods, but the Bible sets the record straight. Jerusalem and Judea were conquered not because of the powers of any heathen gods, nor by the military ability of the Babylonian armies, but because, and only because, God GAVE the nation and the city to the Babylonians.

But how could God give His nation, His chosen people, into the power of a heathen king? As far as the Israelites had backslidden, were not the Babylonians even worse? So then, why did God allow Judah to be taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar? Jeremiah gives us the answer:

Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit. Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid; Be very desolate," says the LORD. "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns – broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:11 - 13

The Bible tells us God had selected the Israelites in a special sense to be His people.

They were to be witnesses to the nations around them. They were to be a blessing to the world, a light in the darkness of this world. But they turned away from God, who alone is the source of light. They turned away from their only source of spiritual strength. Destitute, bereft of the power of the Spirit, destitute of the living waters, they could not fulfill God’s purpose for them. But nonetheless, they were loved by God, and it is written that those who God loves, he chastens.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:19

The chastisement was severe, but then their case was desperate; they had all but turned their backs on God. But through it all (not withstanding their sins) they were in the hands of a loving God.

It was to Abraham that God first spoke of his purpose for His people. To Abraham God said, speaking not only of Abraham but also of his spiritual descendants:

I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. Genesis 12: 2

“And you shall be a blessing.” But in order to be the blessing God desired them to be, the Israelites, would of necessity, have to live in harmony with His laws, walking in His light, walking in His Spirit - seeking to reflect His pure and gracious character. Most of us today want to be blessed, not be a blessing. But what does the bible say about being a blessing:

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:34 – 40

But God does not compel obedience. He does not compel us to be the blessing He desires us to be. He leaves us as He left the Israelites to make our own choice. And sadly the greatest desire of the Israelites was to be just like the nations around them. Just like today, we want to be saved but we want to do it our way; we want to be as close to the world as we can; one foot in and one foot out. But God said,

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16

The Israelites, just like us today, ignored this and went their own way; bickering and squabbling they split into two rival kingdoms, each in their own way hell bent on turning from God. The northern kingdom [known as the Kingdom of Israel or Samaria] almost immediately sunk into idol worship when their king had two golden calves made for the people to worship. The southern kingdom [known as Judea], hung on a little bit longer; still giving lip-service to God, but in time also sunk to open idol worship, even setting up pagan altars and idols within the temple grounds itself.

But God didn’t immediately “give up” Israel. For years He sent prophet after prophet after prophet to both the northern and southern kingdoms offering complete pardon if only the people would repent; offering mercy; just as He does with us today; giving us the opportunity to get it right, to return to Him; to serve Him as He desires. He gives us opportunities to tear down our idols.

We think in our lukewarm state that because God loves us and we’re doing a little bit of what He desires, that we’re alright. Doing a little bit is not enough. Thank God, He provides us with an out. No matter how lukewarm or cold we may be the prescription is the same. God shows no partiality; Peter said:

Now I know for certain that God doesn’t show favoritism with people but treats everyone on the same basis. Acts 10:34

They may have been His chosen people, but that would not excuse their sins. If Israel insisted on going her own way, God would have no choice but to let her go and suffer the consequences of their choices. Just as we also must suffer the consequences if we willfully turn our back on God to go and do our own thing. But God, because of His great love for us, does not easily let people go. Listen to the anguish in His words as He contemplated “giving up” Israel, the northern kingdom.

My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him. "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred. Hosea 11:7-8

So even though God’s spirit was deeply grieved, He finally was left with no choice. In the case of the northern kingdom, God “gave up” Israel to the Assyrians.

Ephraim is joined to idols, Let him alone. Hosea 4:17

How sad these words. What can be more awful than having God just give up on us. And yet, doesn’t the same hold true today - even among Christian churches? How long will it be before God just gives up on us; collectively and individually?

- continued

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