Friday Medications

I don't know why I titled this post that way. Frankly, I was going to write about Isaiah 39-40, but somehow "medications" sounded cooler than "meditations." But just read "meditations" in there and you'll be fine.

Isaiah 39 records the stupidest moment in the life of King Hezekiah. He has just witnessed an incredible victory by God over the Assyrians, a victory that saved his capital and his people from utter destruction. Judah has escaped the fate of Israel and the Assyrians suffered 180,000 military casualties, a number that wouldn't be topped until the 20th century or so.

And then the Babylonians show up with congratulatory gifts. Even at this time, Babylon was mulling overthrowing Assyrian rule and Baladan (later deliverer of Babylon)wanted to enlist the help of these plucky, if outnumbered, Israelites. It must be remembered that Israel stood between Egypt (the Iowa of the Middle East) and Mesopotamia (the megalopolis of the Ancient Middle East), making it a vital strategic area. Jerusalem, capital and largest city of this area, was thus a prime strategic point for both Assyria and Babylon.

Hezekiah was apparently still shaken by the whole invasion thing and feeling perhaps a little cocky. He decided, subconsciously perhaps, perhaps not, that Babylon was a strong friend for little Israel. He felt he could relax, because here were allies he could trust against the Assyrians.

Here was his great mistake. God had spent the first 30 or so chapters of Isaiah warning Judah against an alliance with Egypt or Tyre or Sidon or anyone else. And now Hezekiah has instead made an alliance with Babylon! The lesson has not been learned, because now Hezekiah is trusting in another foreign power instead of God.

God punishes Hezekiah, of course, with a promise of the Babylonian Captivity, and Hezekiah flippantly replies, "at least it isn't happening in my lifetime." In other words, at least I won't be skewered by posterity for messing things up.

Then, immediately after his flippant defiance, God returns with "comfort ye, my people." God knew that the news of Babylon's eventual victory would frighten Judah, so He moves immediately to comfort. This comfort is messianic without being directly applicable to Assyria. God does NOT say, "I will crush your enemies, rub their faces in the dirt and then serve you a chocolate sundae with whipped cream." He says, "I am sending the Messiah and when evil seems to reach its climax, I will crush it, but for my glory and not yours."

God never operates for our own personal glory. He never vindicates us or lets our enemies get blasted because they are so mean to us. He does not dote on us and we are NOT His only concern in the world. All of that being said, He still takes care of us in a wonderful, incredible way. His ways are not for our ego, to be sure, but He still tears down evil, upholds the oppressed and defends the helpless. Through Jesus, He is reconciling the World to Himself.

Just a thought,