Sun.’s Devo - The Fall of Babylon

Read: Jeremiah 49:23-50:46; Titus 1:1-16; Psalm 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 26:13-16 Today we read of prophecies to Damascus, Kedar, Elam, and Babylon. *** Damascus was the capital of Syria and was known for its orchard and gardens. It was such a beautiful place, but a place where much cruelty had been done against Israel. God was foretelling its destruction. *** The message against Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor were against the ancestors of Ishmael. They were nomads who dwelt in black-haired tents to symbolize their separation from God. Their city Hazor would be taken over by wild animals. *** Elam was known for its archers. Elam was part of Persia but situated close to Judea. The people of Elam had helped Nebuchadnezzar against Judea; hence its punishment. God promised to destroy its king and officials but set his throne there. God promised to restore the fortunes of Elam. *** God declared that Babylon would fall and her gods utterly disgraced. No one would live there again. God would lead his people home that had been taken captive in Babylone. God was raising an army in the north to capture Babylon and they who ruled the world would become the least of nations - a dry and desolate land. *** The ones attacking Babylon will do to her what she had done to others. *** Israel would return to her homeland. God would forgive her sins. God would appoint a leader who He chooses, Cyrus, and he will do what God tells him to do. Cyrus would set the people of God free. *** Today, we begin reading the letter Paul wrote to Titus. Titus was a Greek who was believed to be a convert of Paul’s ministry. Paul and Titus had gone to Crete together and decided that Titus should stay and care for the new church. Paul had not heard from him in a while and was getting restless so he wrote this letter. *** One of Titus’ jobs was to appoint worthy elders for the church. He gave a description of the qualities these men would possess. Paul warned him against the false teachers who taught you had to be circumcised to be a believer. (Titus was not.) He encouraged Titus to remain pure in his heart and not be affected by the false teachers. *** There will always be false teachers who have evil motives. We have to know what the Word says and listen to the Holy Spirit who gives us discernment. No one man has the whole truth. God has dispersed his truth to many so we won’t honor any man above God. *** Lord, may we be all the things Paul gave as qualifications of elders. Paul’s goal was to teach people how to live as God’s people. May we witness what it means to be your child.