Tues.’s Devo - Judgement of Moab, Ammon and Edom

Read: Jeremiah 48:1-49:22; 2 Timothy 4:1-22; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 26:9-12 God has a message for Moab, Amon and Edom and their lands. Moab and Ammon were descendants of the incest of Lot and his two daughters when they came out of Sodom and Gomorrah. The people of Moab had always lived in peace and had never gone into exile. That was about to change. Their god was Chemosh. He was the destroyer or subduer and his statue was known as the fish-god. He rewarded his worshipers with victories over other nations if they pleased him and punished them with defeat if he was angry. He required child sacrifices and other abominable worship. Molech was the god of the Ammonites. His statue was made of bronze and was heated to receive infants as a sacrifice. All infants were shaken over its flames at birth to purify them and it was believed that this ceremony allowed them life. The Edomites came from the descendants of Esau who sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew. They had many gods: Baal Asheroth, Chemosh, and Molech, including Yaweh. They were subject to Judah for a long time then rejoiced and participated in Jerusalem’s fall. God pronounced the destruction of these three nations. In Second Timothy, Paul urged Timothy to fill his followers with good teaching so they wouldn’t be deceived in the future. Paul reminded him that good teaching includes correcting, rebuking and encouraging his people in righteousness. He warned Timothy of the spiritual battle that was ahead for the minds of his people. Deception was on its way. Paul shared the ones who had deserted him and did him harm. But he finished his race and had no regrets. God strengthened him through it all and it was worth it. Lord, encourage your people when they feel hopeless and deserted. Thank you for the strength of your Holy Spirit that pushes us on to finish our race.