Dear RTB’ers,
Today, Jerusalem’s “history”, as related to her by God, Himself. He paints a picture of Jerusalem’s beauty in the first 14 verses, then He sets forth charges of idolatry and “prostitution” by Jerusalem’s residents and His judgment against her. A couple of interesting items stood out to me,
First, in the midst of recounting Jerusalem’s prostitution, the Lord says that her whoring is different from normal prostitution: Yet you were not like a prostitute, because you scorned payment. … Men give gifts to all prostitutes, but you gave your gifts to all your lovers, bribing them to come to you from every side with your whorings. So you were different from other women in your whorings. No one solicited you to play the whore, and you gave payment, while no payment was given to you; therefore you were different. (vv. 31b-34) Interesting. I’m guessing that the Lord is recounting the many times that Judah entered into treaties with powerful countries, paying them tributes for their protection.
Second, …she [Sodom]and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. (v. 49) In addition to all the sexual sin detailed throughout, God also includes His judgment against people who do not aid the poor and needy. One lone island verse in an ocean of sexual sin!
Finally, God’s love overwhelms His anger: “Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed … So I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord … when I have forgiven you for all that you have done”… (vv. 60-63, NASB)
Let’s embrace these last words, personally: …when I have forgiven you for all that you have done. Let’s not take His love and mercy for granted!
Blessings.
Fred