Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Scripture reading 2 Kings 24:8-25:30
The fall of Jerusalem in 586
BCE/BC was the final season of the Deuteronomistic History (Joshua-Kings). One
can only imagine the despair. Israel’s kings bowed to other gods and eventually
fell into the hands of king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Now, Judah (the southern
kingdom) followed with the same fate. Unlike 2 Chronicles, 2 Kings does not
conclude on a happy note. Here, evil gets the better of God’s people.
This installment of our series
was not meant to contradict the talk of repentance and reconcile, in yesterday’s
post. Rather, it is that exile is a season of life. The Jewish people were
scattered into exile by the Babylonians. Two thousand five hundred ninety eight
years later, the people of Israel continue to fight for land. The exile
happened because God’s people continuously sinned against the Lord. The law did
not save the people.
But, the Jewish people weren’t
special sinners; they were fallen human beings. The Primary History
(Genesis-Kings) illustrates the fallen nature of humanity, with the people of
God at the forefront of this fallen story. Only, this isn’t a bedtime story, it’s
the history of the people of God. Upon reading this passage, one might ask, did
the people of God pay attention to history? We are the people of God and this
is our history.
Father, forgive us, for we know not what we do. We are sinners;
helpless to help ourselves. Have mercy on us O Lord. In the name of the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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