“The people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served… the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines. And they forsook the Lord and did not serve him. So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the Ammonites, and they crushed and oppressed the people of Israel… For eighteen years… And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, saying, ‘We have sinned against you, because we have forsaken our God and have served the Baals.’ And the Lord said to the people of Israel, ‘Did I not save you from the Egyptians… Amorites… Ammonites… Philistines… Sidonians… Amalekites and the Maonites… and I saved you out of their hand. Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.’ ” (v6-8,10-14 abr)
Have you ever had a person in your life people would consider to be a “lost cause”? Someone who’s consistently making the same mistake(s) over and over again? In some ways I am a lost cause, and it seems Israel was too. God actually gets fed up with Israel to the point where He basically says (paraphrased): “Let your other gods save you. Clearly, you didn’t like the way I led you as your God, so you shopped around and found someone else. You made your bed, now lie in it.”
Does that sound like a compassionate and loving God? Well, actually, yes. I think it’s called tough love. At some point in each person’s life they need to learn that their choices have consequences – this frequently happens in parent-child relationships. The parent has to let the child learn that their mistakes will cost them – sometimes dearly. It seems like God is doing that here, telling Israel “You have free will, you exercised it, now deal with the consequences on your own. You didn’t want my help staying out of trouble, so don’t call me only when you’re in trouble.”
This chapter ends on a cliffhanger, Israel asking the question “Who is the man who will begin to fight against the Ammonites? He shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” (v18b) Or put another way, “Who will save us this time? Whoever does is whom we will follow.” The people are looking within humankind for a savior, and are not looking to God.
This is completely relevant today, in our current circumstances – this virus is out of control, and people are looking for a savior (and most are probably looking to the medical community for a cure/vaccination). What we as Christ followers need to be doing, is pointing people to the true Savior, and the God of miracles. It may seem like God has forsaken us, as it seems He did with the rebellious Israel, but we know He does eventually save them once they finally learn their lesson. Let’s pray that the world learns their lesson soon, and pray fervently for our one true God to once more save us from our terrible choices (ie. our sin and rebellion).
I think what God tells Solomon really drives the point home: “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chr 7:13-14) It seems God has sent pestilence among the people, and wants all people to humble themselves, seek His face, and turning from their wicked ways, before He will heal us and our land.
Father God, Lord of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we come before Your throne a weak and broken people. Father You know our circumstances, and You know our hearts. We have sinned against You and pursued others gods. Father, please forgive us our sin. Please have mercy on us, and relent from this destruction. Please open the hearts and eyes of our people, so all may understand the truth of who You are, and why we’re in this self-made mess. Please Lord, relent in Your anger, and shine Your steadfast lovingkindness upon us, for we have been foolish and need You to return as our King. I pray that every ear would hear and every tongue would confess Your power, majesty and glory, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training