August 10th - Looting the Land

Looting the Land

(2 Kings 24:6-20)

(2 Chronicles 36:10-16)

(Jeremiah 22:24-30; 37:1-2; 52:1-3)

Judah Led into Captivity

From: Treasures of the Bible

By Henry Davenport

1894

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah announced the great and tragic deportation of the Lord’s people. King Nebuchadnezzar would order the pillaging of the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem and the royal palace of Israel, removing all of the valuables and placing them in the pagan temple to his own Babylonian idols.

What’s worse, the Babylonians would capture all of the leaders, fighting men, artisans and tradesmen from among God’s people. Even young king Jehoiachin (son of Jehoiakim) and his mother Nehushta would be taken.

The prophesy was fulfilled, as these events occurred (nearly 600 years before the birth of Christ).

Tucked within the biblical account is a single sentence, which might raise some eyebrows.

“As the LORD had declared,

Nebuchadnezzar removed all the treasures

from the temple of the LORD

and from the royal palace,

and took away all the gold articles

that Solomon king of Israel

had made for the temple of the LORD.

He carried into exile all Jerusalem:

all the officers and fighting men,

and all the craftsmen and artisans –

a total of ten thousand.

Only the poorest people of the land were left.”

(2 Kings 24:13-14, NIV, emphasis added)

The army of King Nebuchadnezzar carted off all of the powerful and influential people of the land of Israel. They deported those they deemed useful. But they left the poorest of all, perhaps judging these folks not worth the effort. As a result, those who were assessed of little consequence were left alone.

In the big picture, does it pay to be rich and famous? One has to wonder sometimes. Certainly, positions of political or professional influence may paint targets on individuals’ backs, when enemies attack.

May the Lord protect all who trust Him, whether we hold low or lofty positions. Do our lots not come from His hand anyway?

Will you pray with me?

Great God,

Guard us from worldly woes.

Teach us to trust You,

Wherever You choose to place us.

If you lead us into leadership,

We will trust You to protect us.

If You shepherd us into servanthood,

We will trust You to guard us.

Grant us contentment

As we follow Your lead.

If we are captured

Or threatened

For following You,

Captivate us

By a glimpse of Your glory,

So we may trust You

Even more.

Amen.

August 8th - Neb's Nightmare

Neb’s Nightmare

(Daniel 1:1-20; 2:1-49)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

The Bible Explained

Today’s reading from The Daily Bible recounts the beginning of Daniel’s story. Daniel and the three other fine young men were hand-picked to serve in the court of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to eat the king’s meat, and the royal courtiers frowned upon them for it.

But the Lord was honored by their faithfulness and fortitude.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a remarkable dream, and he asked the Babylonian magicians and wise men to interpret his reverie. They could not do so. Nebuchadnezzar ordered that all of the seers and sorcerers be killed.

Finally, Nebuchadnezzar asked Daniel about the dream.

What did Daniel do first?

Before Daniel even met with the king, he met with the King of Kings. He prayed for the Lord to grant him wisdom and insight. He enlisted the prayer support of the other three young men: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

The Lord answered Daniel and gave him a vision in the night.

Confidently, Daniel approached King Nebuchadnezzar with the answer to his daunting dream. First, of course, Daniel pointed out that the message came directly from the Lord, rather than any special magic or abilities. Daniel gave all glory to God.

Daniel explained King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about the giant warrior statue, describing how the vision pertained to ruling kingdoms to come.

What answers do we need from the Lord today? What insights might He want to reveal to us? What secrets does God desire to share, if we will only ask?

Will you pray with me?

Sovereign One,

You alone hold the mysteries of the universe,

Beyond the reaches of time

And above what human minds can comprehend.

Help us to learn to listen

To Your voice.

Grant us wisdom and insight

To understand

The secrets You choose to share

With us.

Amen.