Three Foreign Kings:
“Israel is a scattered flock, the lions have driven them away.
[1] The first one who devoured him was the king of Assyria,
[2] and this last one who has broken his bones is Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:
[3] ‘Behold, I am going to punish the king of Babylon and his land, just as I punished the king of Assyria.
And I will bring Israel back… I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant.'”
(Jeremiah 50:17-20)
OPEN UP:
Jeremiah descried the terrible punishment of Israel at the hands of two kings. Then he foretold their restoration through a third king who was coming. In the time of restoration, God asks His people to make the effort to seek Him with their whole hearts.
Three Foreign Kings
1. (first lion) king of Assyria — conquered the Ten Northern Tribes
2. (last lion) King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon — conquered the Southern Kingdom of Judah (also conquered Assyria)
3. (lion tamer/punisher) King Cyrus of Persia — conquered Babylon
(more about Cyrus tomorrow)
Northern Kingdom of Israel:
1. stops following God.
2. gets conquered by ruthless Assyria.
Southern Kingdom:
3. stops following God.
4. gets conquered by Babylon.
(Babylon also conquers ruthless Assyria.)
5. Babylon gets conquered by Persia (the “punisher” in the prophecy above).
6. Persia lets anyone from the Southern Kingdom return to their land.
7. The book of Ezra begins with the return of some of the survivors from the Southern Kingdom.
How can a loving, forgiving God punish and destroy entire groups of people in the Old Testament?
When I hear news reports about unthinkable cruelty (especially to children), I want justice. This is a natural desire — it comes from the God of justice, who made me.
The nations of the Old Testament were horrifically cruel, ruthless, and evil. Both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel had started following the ways of those nations — including child sacrifice! The God of justice couldn’t sit back and watch without intervening.
This article gives more explanation about the reason for war in the Old Testament. It ends with these reassuring verses (also from the OT):
“Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.”
(Lamentations 3:32-33, NIV)
A future with no more war:
“[God will] settle things fairly between nations…
No more will nation fight nation;
they won’t play war anymore.”
(Isaiah 2:4, The Message)
Did God cause suffering in my life to punish me?
Jesus suffered grief, loss, and difficulty, even though He never did anything wrong. Then He died a cruel death. His death was the punishment for our sins. For anyone who relies on Jesus’ payment, there is no more punishment left from God, because Jesus took it all.
God still uses difficulty to teach, train, and refine people. This isn’t punishment, but preparation for His work. Being trained by suffering requires deep trust.
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:11)
Sometimes it’s confusing to make sense of my life, just as it’s confusing to make sense of the Bible. Why doesn’t God fix the world all at once?
After the Jewish people had been taken captive, Jeremiah sent them a letter from God:
“'[After] seventy years… I will… bring you back to this place. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes…'”
(Jeremiah 29:10-14)
God is the only one who can make sense of my life and restore my freedom and joy. It takes effort to set aside distractions and seek Him with my whole heart, but the reward is that I will find Him. It’s a promise.
If today were my last day on earth, I would:
…show compassion, trust Jesus’ payment for me, and make sure there is no doubt in God’s eyes about whether I am seeking Him with my whole heart.
God,
Thank You for taking the punishment for my sin through Jesus. Thank You that when bad things happen, I don’t have to wonder whether You are mad and trying to punish me. You already took care of that through Jesus, and I am fully accepted by You. You have paid for me, and my life is Yours. Teach me to do Your work of compassion and justice.
For Jesus, who will lead the nations to peace.
Amen.
References:
All verses are NASB unless otherwise noted.