pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Assyria


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You Will Know

Reading: Joel 1-3

Joel 2:27 – “You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God — no other exists.”

Photo credit: Marek Piwnicki

In three chapters Joel packs a ton into his prophetic message. He follows the normal pattern: devastation, cry out, repent, deliverance. Joel is a bit unique in the fact that Israel’s sin isn’t included. That usually leads to the ‘devastation’ part of the cycle. Joel begins with an invading army. Locusts? Assyria? Babylon? We’re not 100% sure if it’s real or metaphor as Joel is really hard to date. He does not include kings or names that can be tied to a specific point in Israel’s history. The effects of whichever army are all the same: starvation, death, suffering, grief. Even the earth and creatures of the earth mourn, so great is the fire that burns before and after the army’s invasion. People shake in fear as the army rushes upon the city and into their homes.

Yet… there’s that word! Yet, even now, says Joel, God invites us to return to God with all of our hearts, to weep and fast and mourn. Yes, weep, fast, and mourn over what we’ve done. Yes, weep, fast, and mourn over the consequences of that sin. Do so because God is compassionate, merciful, very patient, full of love, and ready to forgive. So, cry out to God! Who knows? God does. God brings renewal and restoration to a repentant Israel: corn, wine, oil… green pastures and fruitful trees. An early rain will be a “sign of righteousness” that will pour out abundance on them. And then the Lord declares, “You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God — no other exists.” Is this because of these physical blessings or is it because of what God promised next?

In verses 28-29 God proclaims that the Spirit will be poured out on all people – sons and daughters, young and old, slaves. All people will receive the gift of the Spirit. All barriers will be broken down. Then Joel turns to the coming day of the Lord. This day will bring darkness but all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. The darkness comes as God gathers and judges the nations. Through Joel, God condemns a variety of offenses against God’s people. Crowd after crowd will come before the Lord. But God will be a refuge for the faithful. Jerusalem will be holy and a spring will come forth from God’s house. The new Judah and Jerusalem will be forgiven. It will be inhabited forever. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, what good and great plans you have for those who love you. Yes, the storms of life will come, drawing us closer to you. Yes, times of separation will come as we choose self over you. Even then, you work to renew our relationship, to restore our connection. You remain ever ready to forgive. You continue to declare that you are our God. Thank you, Lord, for your unconditional love. Amen.


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Our Truth Too

Reading: Hosea 11-14

Hosea 14:7 – “They will again live beneath my shadow, they will flourish like a garden; they will blossom like the vine.”

Hosea closes with hope. There are still moments where God recognizes and is angered by Israel’s sin, but words of hope dominate our reading today. This is the truth of our lives too. We are sinful by nature. God is merciful, loving, and forgiving by nature. We walk with hope because God’s love is greater than our sin.

Chapter 11 begins with parent-child imagery. God recalls raising Israel, as a loving parent. But Israel turned away, as most children do at some point. So they will return to Assyria and Egypt. Tough love will reign. Yet love will abide. God will gather the children home one day.

Charges come in chapter 12. Israel multiplies lies and violence, makes treaties with Assyria and Egypt. God recalls Jacob, the younger brother. God recalls wrestling with Jacob at Bethel, where Jacob came to truly know God. God calls Israel back to that relationship. But Ephraim is too proud. They thought themselves sinless. This is a bitter offense to God. We too do this to God when we become proud, when we think ourselves righteous.

Their pride and self-sufficiency was also compounded by their idolatry. Israel turned to these metal images. They are reminded that God alone can save. This will be reinforced when God falls upon them like a lion. God will come in the east wind, making Samaria desolate. Even the babies and pregnant women will fall before the Assyrians.

Hope rises again in chapter 14. God implores Israel to return and even gives them the words to speak: “Forgive all wickedness and receive the good.” God responds with promises to heal and love, to plant and raise up, to protect and provide: “They will again live beneath my shadow, they will flourish like a garden; they will blossom like the vine.” What a beautiful picture of grace and restoration, of wholeness and life. This picture can be ours too. This truth is our truth. Sinful as we are, sin will never define us. God always offers this gift of grace and restoration, of wholeness and life. With repentant hearts and a faithful Spirit, may we step into the truth of God’s love.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to walk daily and to trust eternally into your promises of love and grace, of forgiveness and restoration. You are our God, the only one who can save. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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God’s Power and Goodness

Reading: Isaiah 36-39

‭Isaiah 38:16 – “The LORD Most High is the one who gives life to every heart, who gives life to the spirit!”

Today’s four chapters come almost word-for-word from 2nd Kings 17-18. The stories of Sennacherib’s invasion and Hezekiah’s illness are also recapped in 2nd Chronicles 32. The only “new” words are Hezekiah’s Psalm-like praise in response to God healing him from his deadly illness.

Chapters 36 and 37 deal with Assyria’s invasion. It began by conquering all of the smaller outlying towns in Judah. Attention was then turned to Jerusalem and King Hezekiah. Sennacherib’s field commander comes and taunts Judah, God, and the king. He calls for their surrender, warning them about trusting in God. Hezekiah humbles himself and goes to the temple, mourning the situation. He prays. Isaiah brings words that assure him. The taunts come again. Hezekiah prays again. Isaiah assures him again. God is in control. God has a plan. That night 185,000 soldiers are struck down by God’s messenger. Sennacherib withdraws. He is assassinated by his sons once back home.

Chapter 38 recounts Hezekiah’s illness and God’s healing. Because of his prayer and tears, God grants him 15 more years. In verses 9-20 we read Hezekiah’s grateful response. There is insight into common thoughts on the afterlife: he will no longer see God because God isn’t there. He also acknowledges God’s gift: “The LORD Most High is the one who gives life to every heart, who gives life to the spirit!” As this is true for us as well, may we too make music to God “all the days of our lives.”

A foreshadowing of what’s to come fills chapter 39. Rising power Babylon has come and seen all that Judah has. Isaiah tells Hezekiah, one day “nothing will be left.” Hezekiah reveals his human nature as he is glad it won’t be in his lifetime. After enduring a siege and surviving a deadly illness, we too might have this same thought!

Prayer: Lord God, it is good to review your mighty acts once again. They remind us of your power and your goodness. You continue to give life to our hearts and to our spirits. Thank you for this gift. Amen.


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On That Day…

Reading: Isaiah 8-11

‭Isaiah 11:10 – “On that day, the root of Jesse will stand as a signal to the peoples. The nations will seek him out, and his dwelling will be glorious.”

Photo credit: Nathan Dumlao

Chapter 8 begins with a prophecy about the downfall of Aram and Israel. It will come before Isaiah’s newborn son can speak. Assyria is on the rise. They will destroy Aram and Israel. They will sweep into Judah, getting all the way to Jerusalem. But they won’t conquer it. God tells Isaiah not to fear. Wait on the Lord. Yes, distress will come, but God is with us. The people will rejoice as God shatters the yoke, lifting their burden. And one day a great light will come. A child will be born. He will establish justice and righteousness forever. One day…

The Assyrians fall mightily upon Israel. This is meant to be a word of warning to Judah. To those who have deprived the needy of their rights and who have robbed the poor, God asks, “Where will you stash your wealth?” One day they too will become prisoners. But at present, it is Assyria who went too far. Because of the king’s pride and arrogance the word of warning became an assault on Judah. The Assyrians swept in, right up to Jerusalem, “the neck.” God will punish the Assyrians. God asks, “Will the ax glorify itself over the one who chops with it?” The hand guiding Assyria’s success will turn on it. The Assyrians army is destroyed with “terrible power.” They limp home, thoroughly defeated.

Chapter 11 brings more words of hope. It is similar to 9:2-7. While Isaiah and later readers hoped for a David-like king in their time, for centuries Christians have read these words as words that foretold Jesus. A shoot, a king, will come from Jesse’s line. The Spirit of God will be upon him. The Spirit will give him wisdom, strength, knowledge, and a fear of the Lord. He will be a champion for the poor and the suffering. What a contrast to the leaders described at the start of chapter 10! Peace and harmony will abound. The nations and the survivors will stream to this king on the holy mountain. “On that day, the root of Jesse will stand as a signal to the peoples. The nations will seek him out, and his dwelling will be glorious.” Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for continuing to shape and form us to be your people, to make us into who you created us to be. As you choose to use the powers and things of this world to refine and remake us, help us to see your hand of love guiding it all. Lead us to trust in your ways. Help us to faithfully walk the path illuminated by the light shining in the darkness. Amen.


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I’m here… Send me.

Reading: Isaiah 5-7

‭Isaiah 6:8 – “’Whom should I send, and who will go for us?’”… “‘I’m here; send me.'”

Isaiah 5 begins with God’s lament over Israel and Judah. They were planted as a vineyard in a land flowing with milk and honey. God cleared the nations before them, built a kingdom, ordered their living. But they turned rotten, choosing idols and other evils over God. So God removed the hedge of protection and allowed the vineyard to be trampled. God expected justice and righteousness but got bloodshed and distress.

Blame and judgment are given to the greedy, to the gluttons, to the cheaters, to the prideful, and to the oppressors. God extended a hand against them, a warning sign, but their evil persisted. So God called a nation from far away – “hurrying, swiftly they come!” Arrows sharpened, swords drawn, roaring like a lion, darkness comes.

Chapter 6 shifts everything as Isaiah finds himself in heaven. God is high and exalted. Winged creatures sing of God’s glory and holiness. Isaiah suddenly realizes that he is a sinner in God’s presence. A winged creature touches his unclean lips with a coal from the altar, purifying him. God asks aloud, “Whom should I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah responds, “I’m here; send me.” But God says to him, they won’t hear, they won’t see. Isaiah asks, “How long?” Sadly, until all lies in ruin and the people are in exile in a foreign land.

We find the beginning of this story in chapter 7. Aram and Israel unite against the approaching Assyrians. Judah refuses to join them, so they attack Jerusalem. This fails. God tells King Ahaz not to fear. They’re just “smoking torches” who will soon fall – before son born “Immanuel” learns to tell good from evil. Israel will fall and Judah will have a scary and powerful new neighbor.

Prayer: Lord God, how easily we see ourselves in these chapters. You have good plans for us and you make a way but we often fall off the path. We choose evil over good. We fall into sin yet you call us again and again to step into your grace, to be restored and made new again. You invite us into mission and service. Sometimes we do go willingly but often times we are fearful or selfish. You promise to be with us and to go with us. Help us to more regularly declare, “I’m here; send me.” Amen.


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Through It All

Readings: 2nd Chronicles 33, 2nd Chronicles 34, 2nd Chronicles 35, 2nd Chronicles 36

2nd Chronicles 34:2 – “He did what was right in the LORD’s eyes… not deviating from it even a bit to the right or left.”

Today we begin with Manasseh. The first part of his long reign is as evil as could be. He leads Judah to do great evil in God’s eyes. He is captured and hauled off to Babylon. There he repents and submits himself fully to God. Returned to Judah, he removes pagan worship and serves the Lord. Manasseh dies and gives way to Amon. He is so evil he’s killed by his own officials after just two years.

Josiah reigns for 31 years. Right away he has Judah purified of idol worship and he repairs the temple and its system. The priest Hilkiah finds the instruction scroll and it is read to Josiah. He tears his clothing, realizing that God must be furious. Josiah renews the covenant and celebrates the Passover. Josiah then interferes in Neco’s war, despite God sending the Egyptians to war. Josiah is injured and dies. Jehoahaz rules for three months and then is removed by the Egyptian king.

Jehoiakim and Jehoachin reign next. Both do evil in God’s eyes. The Assyrians come during Jehoiakim’s reign, conquering Judah. Hezekiah is appointed as a puppet king. He does evil. He ignores Jeremiah. He rebels against King Nebuchadnezzar. Assyria levels all of Jerusalem and hauls almost everything and everyone off into exile in Babylon.

Chronicles ends with two bright spots. Because of the exile, the land will lie fallow. This healing fulfills the words of Jeremiah. A new power emerges in the world scene: Persia. King Cyrus receives a word from God: build the temple in Jerusalem. Cyrus orders the followers of God to go back home. God is at work once again.

Prayer: Lord God, through the ups and downs, through the good and the bad, through it all – you remain present to the people of God. You do the same with us. Your love and faithfulness knows no bounds. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Good, Bad, Bad…

Readings: 2nd Kings 18, 2nd Kings 19, 2nd Kings 20, 2nd Kings 21

2nd Kings 19:16 – “LORD, turn your ear this way and hear!…  Listen to Sennacherib’s words. He sent them to insult the living God!”

After the evil king Ahaz, Hezekiah is a bright light. He removes all idol worship and follows God’s ways. The Assyrian king Sennacherib invades, conquering outlying towns in Judah. Hezekiah buys some time by paying a huge tribute. Soon, though, representatives of Sennacherib are back, threatening Judah, insulting God. Hezekiah goes to the Lord, seeking rescue. He prays, “LORD, turn your ear this way and hear!…  Listen to Sennacherib’s words. He sent them to insult the living God!” God’s response comes through Isaiah – don’t fear. God’s got this. During the night 185,000 Assyrian soldiers are struck down by God’s messenger. Sennacherib goes back to Assyria.

Hezekiah then falls deathly ill. Isaiah confirms that he will die. Hezekiah prays and cries out to the Lord. God has mercy. The king will live. As a sign from God, a shadow moves backwards. The Babylonian king sent a get-well message. Hezekiah shows the Babylonian officials everything. Isaiah tells Hezekiah that the day is nearly there when Babylon comes to conquer Judah. Hezekiah is relieved that it won’t be during his lifetime.

Manasseh is the next king of Judah. His reign is 55 years of extreme evil. He restores all idol worship, rebuilding what his father tore down. He sacrifices his son and he builds idol altars in the temple. He sheds much innocent blood. God promises to bring disaster on Judah. Judah will be wiped clean as a plate is wiped clean.

His son Amnon rules for two years. He took is evil. Amnon is assassinated by his own officials, who are assassinated by the people. As bad as things are, there is a good king just around the corner.

Prayer: Lord God, the roller coaster ride continues. When your people walk faithfully your presence leads and guides and protects. When they turn their back on you, violence and evil grows. Lord, help us to recognize the outcomes apply to us as well. Fill us with your Holy Spirit’s power, encouraging us to walk in your ways. Amen.


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Mirror, Mirror

Readings: 2nd Kings 14, 2nd Kings 15, 2nd Kings 16, 2nd Kings 17

2nd Kings 14:3-4 – “He did what was right in the LORD’s eyes, but… the shrines weren’t removed.”

Chapters 14-16 cover the kings of Israel and Judah. In just over 100 years there are 11 kings in total. Some reign a long time – 52 years – and some are barely on the throne – 6 months and 1 month for two kings. Within these readings we see a general pattern. For the first three kings of Judah, each one has this description: He did what was right in the LORD’s eyes, but… the shrines weren’t removed.” For all of the seven kings of Israel, they did evil in God’s eyes. Some are worse than others but together they lead Israel into exile.

In Judah, to the south, Amaziah defeats Edom and reestablishes that border. Azariah reigns next and for the longest, but his is isolated due to a skin disease. His son Jotham runs things. He rules next and rebuilds a temple gate. Ahaz rules next and he begins the slide. He does evil in God’s eyes. Worshipping a foreign god, he burns his sons and daughters alive. Aram attacks and Ahaz cries out to Assyria. They rescue Judah, but at a cost. Ahaz worships like the Assyrians, further removing God from Judah.

In Israel of Samaria, there is much evil and frequent assassinations. Zechariah is the last of Jehu’s line. Menahem attacks Tiphsah and guts all the pregnant women. Assyria comes and he buys peace with tribute. During Reka’s reign Assyria captures some outlying towns and takes the people into exile. Hoshea reaches out to Egypt for help, which brings a full scale Assyrian assault. All of Israel falls and is hauled off into exile.

In chapter 17 there is a summary of Israel and Judah’s failure to be faithful. The chapter ends with the new settlers of Israel being punished by God. The Assyrian king sends a priest back to teach the new inhabitants to worship “the local god.” They learn to worship God. And they continue to worship their false gods too. They mirror what Israel had become.

Prayer: Lord God, how this downward decline must’ve broken your heart. I’d apologize for my ancient ancestors, but I recognize that I too sin, that I too create hurt in your heart. Yet I also recognize that you’re still here. You haven’t given up on humanity. Thank you for your love, for your grace, for your plan. Help me to love you more fully. Amen.