Day 199

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Babylon and Moab No More!

Scripture

July 17—Isaiah 13-16: Judgment on Babylon and Moab

Observation

Judah isn't the only nation ripe for judgment. As Isaiah surveys the spiritual scene around him, virtually every world power of his day is in line for God's hand of discipline. Babylon will be laid waste by the Medes; Moab will be brought low for her pride and arrogance. Though the wickedness of man is great, the righteousness of God is greater!

Application

There's something particularly satisfying about seeing "the other guy" get what is coming to him. About watching the speeding car just ahead of you get pulled over. About learning of your bad-tempered neighbor's income tax return getting audited. About reading of the corrupt politician landing in jail.

But, smugness in the face of another's calamity is one sure way to share their fate. God in his Word has included the bad with the good—the condemnation with the commendation—that you might profit from poor examples as well as good ones. The fact that nations such as Babylon and Moab no longer exist today should jar your sense of complacency and warn you that God Means business—in their day and in our day. Their sad fate was included for our benefit (1 Corinthians 10:11)—and the lesson is too important to overlook!

Find a world map, atlas, or globe, and a few straight pins. Mark where Babylon and Moab used to be but are no more. Those two nations are "extinct" today because they took God's Word lightly; how can you demonstrate that you've grown wiser through their folly and downfall?

Prayer

Almighty God, I pray that you will open our heart for your voice and give us a spirit of devotion for your sacred work on earth as a nation so that we will not fall prey to destruction and desolation. Bless our leaders all over the world to turn from corruption and have compassion on its people. We pray this in the mighty name of our savior, Jesus Christ! Amen!

A Sacred Depiction


© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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