The Israelites angered the Lord. He had brought them out of captivity in Egypt to serve as an example to the nations, but, not understanding God's will, they behaved like the wicked and did what was evil in God's eyes. There was no longer any difference between them and the pagan peoples, so they returned to the “school” of captivity. Against the will of the Most High, Babylon would be their new master. Don't play with the truth!

There is a saying in the world: “Those who don't learn by love learn by pain”. When I heard this as a boy, I prayed: “Father, teach me by love and not by pain”. I loved reading John 3.16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. My heart vibrated with the Father's love for us!

Israel annoyed the Lord so much that He even said: Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to these people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go! (Jeremiah 15.1) Now, our God is sentimental enough to forgive those who seek Him with a sincere and broken heart (Psalm 51.17). But unfortunately, the Israelites crossed the line, disobeying the Most High. They even persecuted the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38)!

When they felt that time was near for them to march into Babylonian captivity, they asked where they were going. How hurt God's heart is with those who, instead of seeking Him to make things right, refuse His Word. Often, within the church, we see attitudes similar to those that occur among the lost. Sad for those who leave the Lord's protection to scratch in the devil's yard. That person will go mad at Jesus' return!

The sentence of the rebels of Judah would be divided into four parts. The first, irreversible, would be death. Many people had given themselves over so much to the devil that there was nothing more to be done for them. John the Baptist spoke about this: And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3.10). The second concerned those who would die in the war, including the king's sons (2 Kings 25.7).

The third would be death from the food shortage that would occur in the kingdom of Judah, thus demonstrating God's indignation at the rebellion of David's descendants. Something similar is seen today, although there is not really a shortage of food, but rather a poor distribution of it. In addition, many foods have caused allergies and other ailments. Note: the function of food is to nourish the body, not to cause death.

The fourth part said that a group of Israelites would go into captivity, and so they did. Nebuchadnezzar separated the wisest and took them to his country to work in their specialties and within the royal palace. Similarly, we see Christian families trapped in the captivity of the evil one - in drugs, sin and crime. We must pray and watch!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares