Mon.’s Devo - Judgment on the Nations

Read: Jeremiah 48:1-49:22; 2 Timothy 4:1-22; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 26:9-12 God gave messages to Jeremiah about the other nations He was going to judge for their sins. Moab was what we now know as Jordan. They worshiped the god Chemosh which was the destroyer or subduer. It was a fish-god. The worship of Chemosh was introduced to the Israelites by Solomon and was abolished by Josiah. The Moabites were descendants of Lot. The children of Israel fought the Moabites when they were coming to Canaan. They conquered them and killed their king, Bashan. They had remained enemies of Israel. They would be destroyed according to the word of the Lord. They would be ashamed of their idol Chemosh just as the people of Israel were made ashamed of their golden calf at Bethel. The people would have to flee from their towns and live in caves to live. They would be judged for their sacrifices and incense to their false gods. God does leave them with hope. God promised to restore the fortuned of Moab in the days to come. Next he spoke about the Ammonites. They were descendants of the son of Lot. The Ammonites were the ones whose king was Og and the Israelites conquered on their way to Canaan. The Gadites wanted to live in their land and now God was asking where they were. The land had been taken over by people who worshipped Molech. Molech was the calf god who required human sacrifice and infants specifically. They were passed through the fire to satisfy this god and purify the child. God was bringing his terror upon them but God would one day restore their fortunes also. Edom was next. They were descendants of Esau and they refused to allow the Israelites passage through their land when they were on their way to Canaan. Edom was known for having wise men so God asks if there was no wisdom in Teman. He tells them to flee to the caves. God would strip their land bare and there would be no place to hide. But God would protect the orphans and the widows who depended on Him for help. God gives no hope for Edom’s future. In Second Timothy, Paul encourages them to preach the word of God and give the people sound teaching because the day was coming when the people would not want to hear sound teaching. They will want to follow their own desires and they will look for teachers to tell them what they want to hear. Paul told Timothy to keep his mind clear and to not be afraid to suffer for the Lord. Paul had been deserted by Demas because he loved his own life more than the gospel so Paul asked Timothy to please come as soon as he could and bring Mark with him when he came. He also wanted his book, papers and his coat. He asked him to try to come before the winter. Paul had endured much rejection and opposition and he was calling in for back up. We can relate to that. Even Paul needed help and wasn’t ashamed to ask for it. Lord, may we surround ourselves with people who can be there for us as we are there for them.