pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: exile


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The Ideal King

Readings: 2nd Chronicles 5:2-14, 2nd Chronicles 6, 2nd Chronicles 7, 2nd Chronicles 8, 2nd Chronicles 9

2nd Chronicles 5:13c – “Yes, God is good! Yes, God’s faithful love lasts forever!”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

Our readings today begin with the dedication of the temple. All Israel gathers as the chest, tabernacle, and holy items are brought up to the temple. As the chest is placed in the holy place, this praise is lifted to God: “Yes, God is good! Yes, God’s faithful love lasts forever!” These words of David, originally spoken when the chest first came into Jerusalem, will be repeated again and again.

Solomon offers a long and beautiful prayer. In many ways he asks God to be with them and to hear and answer their prayers. Prophetically he even included an acknowledgement of sin that will lead to exile. Solomon prays that even then and there, God will hear the prayers of their changed hearts. Fire falls from heaven as God’s initial response to Solomon’s prayer. A great amount of sacrifices and a huge celebration follow. These two things are connected – a holy BBQ!

God visits Solomon again, reiterating God’s covenant loyalty and a deep willingness to listen to Israel’s prayers – if they are obedient, humble, seeking God, and turning from their evil ways. It is as if this last part were a given. Solomon’s reign and legacy will last forever if he and his descendants also walk in these ways.

The last two chapters testify to Solomon’s wealth, wisdom, and fame. He builds and builds. He receives the Queen of Sheba and other foreign powers, adding to both his fame and wealth. He is far and away the greatest king ever. Here ends the chronicler’s report on Solomon as he dies after ruling Israel for 40 years. Solomon has been portrayed as the ideal Davidic king. The chronicler returns to reality as the story continues with Rehoboam.

Prayer: Lord God, as we read and celebrate this part of Solomon’s reign, may we also remember his shadow side as well. Yes, the mountains are magnificent. But the valleys are there too. The valleys are the proving grounds, the refineries, the places of formation and shaping. May we value both, O Lord. Amen.


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Fully Poured Out

Readings: 2nd Kings 22, 2nd Kings 23, 2nd Kings 24, 2nd Kings 25

2nd Kings 25:21 – “So Judah was exiled from its land.”

Photo credit: Mukund Nair

Today’s reading begins with Josiah. While repairing the temple, the instruction scroll is found. Hearing its words, Josiah rips his clothing in anguish and sends folks to inquire of the Lord. He recognizes how far Judah (and Israel) had wandered from the Lord. Disaster is coming soon, says the Lord. And yet Josiah sets out to love God with all his heart, being, and strength. The covenant is restored. All of the shrines, altars, temples, poles… are removed. They celebrate the Passover. And Josiah dies in a battle with Pharaoh Neco.

Jehoahaz’s short reign in followed by Jehoachin. Fulfilling God’s word to Josiah… King Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon’s army arrives. In addition, raiding parties from many local tribes damage Judah. After three months, Jehoachin surrenders. All of the temple and palace treasures are hauled off, the temple items are cut up, and most of the people are taken into exile. A handful plus the poor are left behind to manage the crops. Newly renamed Zedekiah is left to rule. After 11 years, he rebels against Babylon. A new siege leads to a severe famine in Jerusalem. Zedekiah tries to escape but is caught. He watched his sons die and then is blinded, chained, and hauled off to exile in Babylon.

Guard commander Nebuzaradan oversees the burning of the temple, palace, and homes of Jerusalem. He oversees the Chaldeans tearing down the entire wall. The poor are left to farm the land. In 25:21 we read, “So Judah was exiled from its land.” All is in ruins. God’s anger has been fully poured out.

2nd Kings closes with a small happy note. After 37 years in prison in exile, Jehoachin is paroled by new king Awil-merodach. He allows Jehoachin to eat at his table.

Prayer: Lord God, perhaps the high point in Judah since the days of David and Solomon are followed by the great fall of Judah and the ruin of Jerusalem. This brings with it feelings associated with Holy Saturday. Today is a solemn day of final introspection and reflection as we close the season of Lent. It is much like the time in exile will be. Lead and guide us, O Lord, meld and mold us, remake us even, so that we can walk faithfully in 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.


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A Temple and a Palace

Readings: 1st Kings 5, 1st Kings 6, 1st Kings 7, 1st Kings 8

1st Kings 8:58 – “May God draw our hearts to him to walk in all his ways and observe his commands, his laws, and his judgments.”

In today’s chapters the temple and Solomon’s palace are constructed. The King of Tyre, Hiram, reiterates the promise he made to David. Solomon and Hiram make an agreement. Solomon will receive wood and Hiram will receive wheat and oil. A huge work force is called up. The temple is 90′ by 30′ and is 45′ tall. It is beautiful and ornate and much is covered in gold. After 7 years, the temple is built. Hiram comes and makes items for the outer area: pillars, a huge tank, stands, washbasins… – all of bronze. For the inside items are made of gold: altar, table, lampstands…

Solomon is also building his palace. It will be 150′ by 75′ and is 45′ tall. It is much larger than the temple but is also much less ornate… It takes 13 years to finish the palace. As this is ongoing, the temple is dedicated. The ark of the covenant is brought into the Holy of Holies. God’s glory fills the temple. Solomon offers a long and beautiful prayer. He begins by acknowledging that there is no god like the one God. He acknowledges the covenant and God’s loyalty. He calls for the temple to be the center of worship and the focus of their faith. Whether famine or plague or sin or enemy invasion or exile, he calls on the people to look to the temple, to repent, to pray to God, and to turn their hearts fully to God. Solomon asks God to listen to their prayers and to do what is right. He closes and then offers an invitation: “May God draw our hearts to him to walk in all his ways and observe his commands, his laws, and his judgments.”

Extravagant sacrifices are made to dedicate the temple and courtyard. This is followed by a great celebration that lasts 14 days. The people are dismissed. They bless the king and head to their tents happy and pleased. It is a good day.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the picture painted today – a king and a people focused on doing something for your glory. Thank you for the example of a people with hearts turned fully towards you. Lead us to walk in these ways. Amen.


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Restore Us, O God

Reading: Psalm 126:4-6

Verse 6: “He [or she] who goes out weeping… shall come home with shouts of joy.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Turning to the second half of Psalm 126 today we bump up against reality. Life happened to Israel and it happens to us. At times our humanity and our tendency towards selfishness and sin gets us to a place of exile, either from God or from one another or from both. And sometimes the actions or decisions of others negatively affect us. And… at times we get sick or a natural disaster impacts us or… In all of these circumstances and situations we too can cry out to God, “Restore our fortunes, O Lord!”

In verses 5-6 comes the promise and the hope. The reality of our times of sorrow or grief or sadness is that life goes on. As the Israelites continued to sow, even with tears in their eyes, we too must continue to keep moving. As we become able to, we need to resume living. The promise is that eventually we will “reap with songs of joy.” God will be at work, will walk with us through our sorrow…, and will bring joy back into our lives. It is this hope that enables us to work through our sorrow, grief, sadness…

Through tear-filled eyes and with heavy hearts the Israelites trusted in God to restore them. They knew that God was and is loving, faithful, and steadfast. Their trust rested upon these things. May we too recall the “great things” that God has done in our lives, trusting that “He [or she] who goes out weeping… shall come home with shouts of joy.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, in those moments of doubt and fear, when sadness and grief are about to win the battle, whisper your hope into our hearts. When it is difficult to take that next step, grant us courage and bring us the strength to step forward. When our hearts fill with sadness, wrap us in your love. And when loneliness sets in, send a brother or sister in Christ our way. Walk with us always, O God. Amen.


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Such… Good… News

Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4

Verse 1: “The Lord has sent me to bring good news to the poor… to bind up… to proclaim release for captives… liberation for prisoners.”

As Isaiah’s ministry and Israel’s time in exile is coming to a close, the prophet offers these words of hope and promise. These words were written to a people living in captivity in a foreign land. These words can be applied to many times and to many people who are experiencing exile in many forms. These words spoke to the people of Jesus’ day as they lived under the Roman occupation. These words speak to many people today. These words speak to you and to me.

Verse 1 is so powerful. It is jam-packed with hope, promise, rescue… It begins with a call to “preach good news to the poor.” Maybe this is material good news – food, help with rent or gas or utilities, warm clothes for the winter. Maybe this is spiritual aide that helps them to know that they are beloved and worthy, that they matter and belong to God and to us. Then there is “binding up” those who are broken and hurting. Verses 2 and 3 also touch on this. The binding up is healing for the ill and the suffering. It is also comforting those who grieve. It is drawing in the lonely. There is also proclaiming the freedom from captivity and darkness that the Lord brings. This encompasses the Israelites literal release from Babylon. It also includes release from addictions and other abusive relationships or from unjust situations and systems. And it includes freedom and release from our sins and from the guilt and shame that is often connected to our sin.

In one form or another we have each experienced each of these forms of the good news. As followers of Jesus Christ we too are sent to bring this good news to others. Taking where we have been, recognizing how we got to where we are at, may we help others to experience the good news of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, walking and living with you, we’ve experienced firsthand all of what Isaiah speaks of. We’ve been healed, freed, rescued… Use each of us today and every day to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who need healing or hope, release or rescue, restoration or redemption. Amen.


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The Glory of the Lord: Love

Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11

Verse 5: “Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together.”

Photo credit: Milo Weiler

Isaiah 40 offers words of comfort to Israel. In the book of Isaiah, chapters 1-39 have detailed God’s case against the leaders and people of God. They have lived in sin. They have been disobedient. They have worshipped idols and foreign gods. The last king boastfully shows off the treasures of his kingdom to some envoys from Babylon. Chapter 39 ends with Isaiah foretelling of the long exile that is soon to come. After this dire prophecy, all hope would be lost.

Many scholars believe that the portion of Isaiah that covers chapters 40-66 was written much later and likely comes from an anonymous prophet writing under Isaiah’s name. Although in our Bibles it seems like the next day as we turn from chapter 39 to chapter 40, we’ve moved from the 8th century BC to the 6th century BC. The exile has happened. Jerusalem and the temple have long laid in ruins. For generations, exile is all they’ve known. Some scholars suggest that God has been silent for these 150 or so years. If all hope was lost at the end of chapter 39, now the people do not even know what hope is.

Now, with that background and context, hear again these words of comfort, these words that promise restoration of Israel. The way will be made by God. “Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together.” The Lord will “gather the flock” that has long been scattered in exile. The Lord will carry them “close to his heart.” As God speaks again to the people, God speaks words of love. Soon these words will take on flesh and dwell among us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you remind us today of your great love that still overcomes even the greatest sin and still restores even the deepest separation. You continue to dwell with us, offering hope to all who call on your name. Thank you, God. Amen.


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The Good Shepherd

Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16

Verse 12: “I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered.”

Photo credit: Patrick Schneider

We begin this week with Ezekiel. The prophet lived about 600 years before Jesus was born. His ministry began as a temple priest in Jerusalem. But with the invasion and subsequent exile imposed by the Babylonians, Ezekiel experienced and lived through the disaster that he foretold earlier in his ministry. Yet even while living in exile in a foreign land, far away from the temple, Ezekiel speaks a word of hope today.

Speaking to the scattered flock of Israel, through Ezekiel God says, “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” God doesn’t wait for Israel (or us) to come to God. The all-present and ever-loving God will go out to the scattered. God will care for them even in their exile and in their separation. God will provide as a shepherd provided for the sheep. These words of hope remind the scattered flock that God is with them even in the foreign places. Our God continues to be with us in all aspects of life – in the good and in the bad and in all places in between.

Reading on, the promise becomes even greater. God gives this greater promise: “I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered.” Not only will God be with them in their exile, but God will regather the community of faith. God will bring them home to Israel where God will tend to them in “good pastures.” Within this promise there is a word that may be some need to hear today. God will “bind up the injured and strengthen the weak.” Maybe you or someone you know is hurting or is worn down. Maybe grief or isolation has set in heavy upon the spirit. If so, remember that the good shepherd seeks you and desires to love and care for you. Step into this good news. Share it with someone in need of this good news.

Prayer: Lord God, wherever we are today, draw us closer to you. Whether in sorrow or in joy, whether in want or in plenty, may we grow closer to you today. And if we have the capacity, Lord, use us to remind others of your love and care for them. Amen.


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Home

Reading: Psalm 107:1-7

Verse 6: “They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.”

Psalm 107 opens with a call to give thanks to God because God is good and loving. And because God “redeemed [them] from the hand of the foe.” God most recently rescued them from exile and gathered the people of God back to Israel. Yes, this is a great reason to bring praise and thanksgiving to God. When has God redeemed or rescued you most recently from a time of exile or wilderness wandering? Pause and offer God a moment of praise and thanksgiving for God’s goodness and love.

Moving into verses 4-5 the psalmist details some of their struggles. The people wandered without a home. During the Exodus wilderness time and during the exile in Babylon, the people were without a true home. They were lost spiritually too, often quarreling with and questioning God. The sense of being without a home raises up insecurities and fears, leading often to an increase in feelings of hopelessness and despair. In the struggle it can feel like our life is ebbing away. This all can, in turn, lead us to a hunger and thirst for God’s presence in our lives. Pause and reflect on a time when you felt this way. When did you feel without a faith home, without an assurance of God’s presence in your life?

In verse 6 we read, “They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” In their exile or wilderness or struggle, they got to the point of crying out to God. We too will reach that point. Our efforts have failed. Like it was with Israel, God will come in and deliver us too. God will help us back onto the “straight way,” rebuilding our relationship with and our trust and faith in God, bringing us back home. God is good and loving. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, you are faithful and true, loving and forgiving. Time and time again I have cried out to you. Time and time again you are right there, becoming present to me in the exile or wilderness, walking with me through the struggle. I beg you to continue to walk with me as I desire to walk with you. Amen.


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This Same God

Reading: Isaiah 51:1-6

Verse 6: “My salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.”

Isaiah 51 reminds reminds me of the “then and now” of our faith. Written to those “who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord,” it calls them and us to remember the long arc of the relationship between God and God’s people. Looking into today and beyond into eternity, we are also reminded of God’s standing promise: “My salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.”

Isaiah writes these words to the Israelites living with him in exile. Their time in exile has grown long. They are living as strangers in a place far away from all they’ve ever known. It has been a wearying and difficult stay. So Isaiah calls them to remember where they came from and whose they are. He calls them to remember Abraham and Sarah, the ones who received the covenant and who were blessed as God fulfilled the promise. When we find ourselves in a trial or in a season of suffering, it is good to remember the great stories of faith and to be reminded of “the rock” that we too stand upon.

The prophet also speaks of hope and restoration. Isaiah tells the exiles that God looks “with compassion on all her ruins” – both those back home and those that are their lives now. He prophesies that God will transform these dry and barren places and lives into a garden paradise, into a place where there will be “thanksgiving and the sound of singing.” Isaiah tells them that justice and salvation are on the way! This was all probably hard to hear in the darkness and despair of exile. But, wait. Remember, God took one and “blessed him and made him many.” This same God promises to restore Israel. This same God can and will bring us through our trials and sufferings. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord, it is good to remember and to know once again that your promises of salvation and compassion are for all people who call on you and who seek your righteousness. The promises are for us. Thank you, Lord. Amen.