A PROPOSITION

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down; you and your family will live. But if you will not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians and they will burn it down; you yourself will not escape from them.’”

Jeremiah 38:17-18

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

In yesterday’s devotion, we saw the king of Judah, Zedekiah, ask the prophet Jeremiah to speak from the Lord and give it to him straight. In return, the king promised that he would not harm God’s messenger or hand him over to anyone who would bring harm.

With that assurance, Jeremiah gave the king exactly what he asked for in the form of the following proposition which came directly from the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel:

“If you surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down; you and your family will live. But if you will not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians and they will burn it down; you yourself will not escape from them.”

Note the classic if-then scenario which is often found at the core of any proposition. In this case, IF Zedekiah surrendered himself to the officers of the king of Babylon, essentially giving up his throne, THEN he and his family would have their lives spared and Jerusalem would not be burned down.

It was as simple as that. Zedekiah only had one option, to surrender, in order to save himself, his loved ones, and his city.

So what would happen IF Zedekiah decided to not take God up on His proposition and give himself up?

Well, THEN neither he nor his family would escape from the Babylonians and further, the city of Jerusalem would be given into the hands of the Nebuchadnezzar who would have it burned to the ground.

It really was a life or death, all or nothing proposition.

If Zedekiah was obedient to God and accepted his proposal then he would live and all would be well.

But if he chose to reject God’s offer, then he would instigate perishing and nothing would remain. A holy city which once radiated holiness would be left in smoldering ruin.

Today, God has given every man and woman a similar type of proposition, one that is also life or death, all or nothing.

The proposition centers on His only Son, Jesus, who He sent out of love as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.

IF a person surrenders themselves, turning their lives over to Jesus and placing their full belief, faith, and trust in Him as Savior, THEN that person will not perish but rather have everlasting life.

However, IF a person chooses to reject God’s proposal, THEN they will never live beyond the worldly life they now live. They will die in judgment for their sinfulness, not justified or redeemed.

Note that this offer, like the one to Zedekiah is simple and there is only one real option to find eternal life and avoid condemnation and damnation.

Have you taken God up on His proposition today, finding a hope that lasts forever through a Savior who is the way and truth and life, the only One who can bring us to God the Father to live evermore.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark
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