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In Christ, Mark
In Christ, Mark
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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
“Go up to Gilead and get balm, Virgin
Daughter Egypt. But you try many medicines in vain; there is no healing for
you. The nations will hear of your shame; your cries will fill the earth. One
warrior will stumble over another; both will fall down together.”
Jeremiah 46:11-12
This ends today’s reading
from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
In yesterday’s devotion, we found the Lord offering a
sobering warning to the army of Egypt’s king, Pharaoh Necho. For the Babylonian
forces were coming and no matter how much Egypt’s fighting forces prepared,
they would suffer defeat on a day that would belong to the Lord, a day that
would bring severe judgment.
Today, we find the Lord continuing to send His message of
warning to the Egyptians, words that would continue to assert one reality of
what was about to come: there would be no hope of escaping the judgment the
Lord was sending. Look at today’s verses:
“Go
up to Gilead and get balm, Virgin Daughter Egypt. But you try many medicines in
vain; there is no healing for you. The nations will hear of your shame; your
cries will fill the earth. One warrior will stumble over another; both will
fall down together.” Jeremiah 46:11-12
The nation of Egypt was renowned for its worshipping of many
different gods. They had no time for the true God of Israel, which was one of
the main reasons why they were going to experience God’s punishment to start
with.
Why is this important to keep in mind?
Because when the Lord’s judgment would come upon them, the
Egyptians would look for any other source of healing and restoration than the
Lord God Almighty. You wouldn’t find the Egyptians repenting of their sins and
crying out to God for grace and mercy, pledging their sole allegiance to Him
and Him alone. No, the Egyptians would try and manufacture their own healing.
They would try and avoid defeat by way of their own devices.
Note here the Lord referring to Gilead which was a
mountainous region located in what is present day Jordan. The land, which had
been divided between the Israelite tribes of Gad and Manasseh, was famous for
its production of balms used for treating wounds, the balm coming from the
resin of Gilead’s trees. But even if the Egyptians traveled to Gilead for the
balm to place on their injuries, no healing would come to them. In fact, no
medicines would cure the damage brought on by the Babylonians assault.
Rather, Egypt would fall and fall hard. All the nations
would hear of their shame and take note that no one came to the aid of the
Egyptians when they were besieged. Any cry for help from the one mighty country
would fall on deaf ears as, one by one, their warriors were vanquished until
there was no one left to fight. And when the war ended, all that would remain
would be the evidence of complete and utter annihilation.
This is what the outcome of choosing to oppose God looks
like. And yet, so many people today still choose to do so. They think they have
the place to make a mockery out of God, His Son He sent to save them, and all
those who place their belief and trust in both of them.
How very bold! How very gutsy!
How very foolish!
For we had better believe that God still sends His judgment
on the earth and targets those who choose to oppose Him, His Son, or those who
go forth to serve Him, following His will and way. He will not be disrespected,
disregarded, or dishonored today anymore than He did in the Old Testament times
we are studying from.
And rest assured that when Hid judgment comes, it will come
swiftly and harshly to send a message that He will not tolerate anyone choosing
to come against Him, His Son, or His followers.
Trust me when I say, this is something no one should want.
For when God’s judgment comes, there is a very good chance that there will be
no chance for healing or reconciliation with God.
Just ask the Egyptians of Jeremiah’s day if you don’t
believe that.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
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