Mon.’s Devo - The Second Death

Read: Ezekiel 31:1-32:32; Hebrews 12:14-29; Psalms 113:1-114:8; Proverbs 17:18-20 God compares Egypt and its Pharaoh to the tree in the garden of Eden… the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But it became proud and wicked so God sent a foreign army to cut it down and left it on the ground. He would go down to the pit. Egypt would be like Assyria, another tree in God’s garden that he destroyed and sent to the pit. Egypt would lie among the outcasts in hell. God told the Pharaoh of Egypt that he saw himself as a young lion but God saw him as a sea monster about to be caught in Gods’ net and hauled out of the water. He would leave him stranded on the land. His name would be blotted out of the Book of Life. Other nations would be disturbed when they hear about Egypt’s destruction. Egypt was a superpower that Babylon would bring down. Its demise will bring the fear of God on other nations. Egypt’s pharaoh would not only die on earth, but the people who worshiped idols and hated Israel would face a second judgment under the earth. They would be sent down to lie with others who have gone before them in unrighteousness and rebellion from God. Assyria, Elam, Meshech and Tubal, Edom, Sidon and the princes of the north are other nations that would join them in hell. The only comfort that the Pharaoh would have is that he is not alone there. In Hebrews we are commanded to work at living at peace with everyone. Don’t be immoral or godless like Esau who despised his birthright and then wanted it back but it was too late. We are not under a covenant of fear and terror of God but one of grace and love. Ours is a covenant of joy. Jesus is our king who speaks of forgiveness and not vengeance. This is easy to write but not always that easy to walk in. Our command is to listen to God’s voice and let him be God. He is going to shake the earth and the heavens and everything that is not rooted in Him will fall. Lord, help work at peace, walk in forgiveness and hate what it evil. May we hear your voice and receive your instructions and walk in humility.