pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: plunder


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When We Choose

Reading: Obadiah

Verse 15 – “As you have done, so it will be done to you.”

Obadiah condemns Edom for its attitude and for its behavior. The nation of Edom is proud. It rejoices when its ‘neighbor’ is defeated. They choose to then join in the plundering and violence. Edom kills those who escaped Babylon’s swords and they sell the refugees as slaves. There is much for God to condemn and judge concerning Edom and their choices.

There is a long history between Edom and Judah/Israel. These peoples are descended from Jacob and Esau. In real life there was great tension between these twin brothers. That tension persisted down through time. Perhaps today we’d say there is ‘bad blood’ between these two nations. Today, when one side or the other suffers or falls or experiences some defeat, there is often rejoicing on the other side. When long held animosity and tension lie just beneath the surface, that can flow out and lead to things like Edom did to Judah.

This same reality, this same scenario also scales down. We see it between the police and inner city residents. We see it between gangs who compete to thrive upon people’s weaknesses. We see it between neighbors and family members who refuse to even speak to one another. We see the tension there, just beneath the surface, always there. Then, at times, it rises up, it erupts, it shows its ugliness. Such was the case with Edom when Judah fell to the mighty Babylonians.

God declares to Edom, “As you have done, so it will be done to you.” About 750 years later a relative of God’s would share this same sentiment. He encouraged those who saw each other as less than to choose love over hate, empathy over apathy, compassion over condemnation, welcome instead of exclusion. Funny thing is this: when we choose love, empathy, compassion, welcome, grace, forgiveness… it is also said: “As you have done, so it will be done to you.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, it can be hard to choose not to celebrate when a rival loses, to not rejoice when an ‘enemy’ falls. It can even be tempting to join in, to pile on, to release those old, bad feelings. These are the ways of the world. This is not your way. As your children and as your examples in this world, use us to choose the better way, to speak and act and think in ways that reveal your heart for all people. Amen.


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Trustworthy and True

Reading: Jeremiah 50-52

Jeremiah 51:11 – “The LORD is stirring up the spirit of kings from Media. He intends to destroy Babylon… a day of reckoning for his temple.”

The judgment oracles turn to Babylon today. Chapters 50 and 51 detail the fall of Babylon. Interwoven are words of hope for God’s people. God raises up an army from the north. This army will “decimate her land.” All living things will flee. The people of Israel and Judah will “come out together” as they seek God and “search for Zion.” They will return to the Promised Land and will “unite with the Lord in an everlasting covenant.”

Babylon – the one who gloated and plundered – will fall mightily. Her towers will collapse and her walls will come down. The “scattered sheep” of Israel will be restored to their pasture. Their sin and wrongdoing will be gone. The Lord will forgive them. But Babylon will fall! The arrogant one will stumble and be consumed by an army that is “cruel and shows no mercy.” In 51:11 we read, “The LORD is stirring up the spirit of kings from Media. He intends to destroy Babylon… a day of reckoning for his temple.” Babylon’s time has come. They will be repaid for the things they did to Zion and to the temple.

Chapter 52 is an “appendix.” Jeremiah’s words ended with chapter 51. Similar words can be found in 2nd Kings 24-25 and in Jeremiah 39. This repetition serves to reinforce Jeremiah’s role as a true prophet of God. What he spoke of about the time leading into exile came true. Therefore, all that he said about the exile and return from exile can be trusted as well. Those days are yet to come for his contemporary audience. The hope that he laid out for the exiles will help carry them through this challenging time. The same is true for us. God is trustworthy and true. We too can stand upon God’s word.

Prayer: Lord God, you bring down the proud and humble those who exalt themselves. You stand with the oppressed and the downtrodden. You redeem the wayward and cleanse the guilty. You called Israel and Judah back to covenant faithfulness and you call us to this life too. Fill us with your Holy Spirit as we seek to walk in the way of life. Amen.


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Set for a Transition

Readings: 1st Samuel 29, 1st Samuel 30, 1st Samuel 31

1st Samuel 30:26 – “He sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah and to his friends. ‘Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.'”

Once again it is time for battle between the Philistines and the Israelites. David has been living in the Philistine territory for over a year so he and his soldiers march out with Achish and the rest of the Philistine army. But the commanders don’t trust David – he could turn on them in battle. He and his soldiers are sent back to Ziklag. In the meantime, though, the Amalekites have raided Ziklag and have hauled off everyone. David’s soldiers are very upset, almost ready to stone David. But he consults with God and is directed to pursue the raiding party.

David and the troops have been marching for 3 days already. 200 of the soldiers are too exhausted to continue the pursuit. David and 400 press on. They find a slave who was abandoned and he leads them to the Amalekite raiders. David attacks and recovers everyone plus some sheep, cattle, and other plunder. Some of the “evil and despicable individuals” don’t want to share with the 200 but David intervenes, making it a regulation to share with those who guarded the supplies. David also sends some of the plunder to Judah, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.”

Elsewhere, the Philistines and Israelites engage in battle. Many Israelites fall and the rest flee. Saul and sons are overtaken. Saul’s three sons die and he is wounded. He falls on his sword and dies, avoiding torture and death at the “hands of these uncircumcised men.” Some brave men recover the bodies of Saul and his sons. They are cremated and buried in Jabesh. Israel mourns for seven days.

The reign of Saul comes to a close and the stage is set for a transition to a new king. This will not be an easy transition.

Prayer: Lord God, there is violence and war and mistrust and death. There is loyalty and faith and trust and hope. Guide us to cling to you in both the good and the bad of our lives, just as David did. Turn us ever to you for guidance and strength. May we find these too. Amen.


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Like a Mighty River

Reading: Ezekiel 34: 20-24

Verse 22: “I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another”.

In today’s reading Ezekiel turns his focus to those who are leading, to those who are in charge. The Babylonians were powerful. They exerted their might and took many Israelites into captivity. In exile, the Israelites lived in a society that favored the privileged and wealthy, that allowed greed to exploit the weak, that turned a blind eye to injustice. Those who were wealthy, greedy, unjust are the “fat sheep” that Ezekiel refers to. As one considers our nation today, Ezekiel could very well be writing in 2020.

The ways of greed and inequity and oppression are not the ways that God intends for us to live. God therefore pledges to judge between the fat and lean sheep. God sees how the wealthy and powerful “shove with flank and shoulder”, forcing their agendas, manipulating the weaker, the less powerful. God will intervene, God will put an end to the sins being committed against his children. In verse 22 we read, “I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another”.

Plunder is an interesting choice of words. It maybe feels like an old term, an outdated term. Yet it is very relevant today. A man in our community invested many years earning an advanced degree in college. He is a skilled professional in the medical field. The major corporation that he works for unilaterally cut all people in his profession to 30 hours a week. He, like his colleagues, now has no benefits. This corporation has plundered these people.

God promises to save his flock, to judge between the sheep. There is a promise to end greed, oppression, and injustice. To those living in exile, to those living in unjust systems today, these words speak hope. To the fat sheep, these words should be a warning, a call towards self-reflection. But only the sheep with ears to hear will be changed.

Just as God sent Ezekiel to the exiles in Babylon, we read that God will send David to the Israelites who are surrounded by enemies, who live daily under threat of assault. In time God will come in the flesh, bringing hope and salvation to the people oppressed by the Romans and their own religious leaders. Jesus charged his followers to do as he did: feed the hungry, tend to the sick and lonely and imprisoned, clothe the naked, unbind the captives, bring sight to the blind. It is no wonder many Jews thought Jesus the second coming of Ezekiel.

As we seek to do these things, to follow the example of Christ, we do so with the realization that they run counter to our culture, against the ways of greed and power, in defiance of the oppression and injustice that is too prevalent in our nation. May the Lord our God empower us as we seek to be light and love, peace and compassion, mercy and justice to the world.

Prayer: Lord God, give me feet to walk the narrow road, the hard path. Give me courage to stand for those who are weak, lean, powerful, voiceless. May your justice roll down like a mighty river. Amen.