January 23, 2023
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the LORD gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand. Daniel 1:1-2a
The lessons of the past, if not learned, will be repeated. It is God’s intention for His people to visit and revisit what many disrespectfully consider “the old waste places” in Scripture. After Israel had become a melting pot with pagan nations, the land of Judah, at least for a time, was somewhat intact. Judah stood in contrast with Israel, who was sometimes called by the name Ephraim, the largest of those ten apostate tribes. Israel had given up her identity. Instead of carrying the message of salvation to those who knew nothing of the true God, they intermarried with them and adopted their idolatrous practices.
Ephraim has encircled Me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; But Judah still walks with God, Even with the Holy One who is faithful. Hosea 11:12
Tragically, Judah did not learn the intended lessons of dissolved Israel, and the LORD also brought a charge against Judah (Hosea 12:2). As a result, the king and kingdom of Judah was handed over—by God—to the most pagan king on the face of the earth. These were the darkest days in Judah’s history. Let us see the message presented in the names of four major players from Judah when Babylon was allowed to take over:
Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Daniel 1:6
Daniel means “God is my judge”
Hananiah means “Jah has favored”
Mishael means “who (is) like God”
Azariah means “Jah has helped”
It is a surety that our God and Savior will judge everyone. In the ancient near-Eastern culture, it was understood that a judge was to favor and extend every possible benefit to the accused. Today people tend to tremble at the idea of judgement. Could it be that they would rather try to cover their own unconfessed sins instead of handing them over to the Savior? Beloved, lay it all before the merciful judge! He has already shown favor to us by sending His Son to take the penalty that each of us deserves. He desires to restore His image and likeness in us. It begins with allowing our slate to be wiped clean. From there, He is ready to daily provide the help we need in the restoration process, for we cannot do it on our own.
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Acts 3:19-21