As the enemies of Judah and
Jerusalem overtook them, their conquering was thorough and swift as
an eagle pursuing its prey. Jeremiah knew the devastation was as a
result of the people turning against God's ways, and in chapter four
and verse twenty of Lamentations we see what the people believed
allowed them to live among the heathen. We read:
The breath of our
nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom
we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.
The
verse begins, “The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the
LORD, was taken in their pits,” The people of Jerusalem
believed themselves to be safe from their enemies, but we see “the
breath of our nostrils” which notes their very breath and
existence was given by God was not off limits to their enemies. They
considered themselves “the anointed of the LORD” or ones
who were “specially set apart” by the LORD as those who would not
be exposed to capture and defeat. However, their enemies took them
into their “pits” like a predator who takes his capture
into a den or cave to engorge himself.
The
verse goes on to say, “ of whom we said, Under his shadow we
shall live among the heathen.” The people of Jerusalem thought
they would be “under his shadow” which refers to the
protecting hand of the Lord, and they believed themselves to be
preserved even though they lived “among the heathen”.
Their perception was they were under the security of God even while
they were living as though they did not need God in their lives.
Over and
over again Jeremiah sought to have the people of Jerusalem and Judah
repent and turn to God. Because there was not imminent destruction in
their lives, they believed themselves to be under the protecting hand
of the Almighty. As we think about these words, do we believe
ourselves “under a shadow” as did the people of Jerusalem
and Judah even though we resist a relationship with Him? The people
of Jerusalem and Judah had a false sense of security, and when we
have areas in our lives which have not endured judgment, we may
believe ourselves under His mighty protective hand even though
destruction is just around the corner. May the Lord help us to look
into our hearts and turn to Him in any area which He might reveal as
we live among the heathen.
Next
time we will see how Edom was to be affected by the Lord's judgment,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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