In the days of old, Jehovah saw the rebelliousness in the hearts of his children – a rebellion of those that sought counsel, not from the divine but from their own desires, causing them to add sin upon sin. They turned their backs on Him, seeking aid and refuge in Egypt, wholly reliant on the strength of Pharaoh, rather than the might of the Lord.
The Lord, seeing their reliance on Egypt, declared that the strength of Pharaoh would be their shame and the shadow of Egypt their confusion. The princes travelled to Zoan and the ambassadors to Hanes. All were shamed by the unprofitable alliances they formed – a sad testament of their misplaced hope, causing them more harm than good. Yet, stubbornly, they carried their riches and treasures to Egypt, hoping for an aid that would ultimately lead to disappointment.
Jehovah, witnessing this, declared Egypt a sitting Rahab – a vain and purposeless ally in their current predicaments. His words echoed with a divine truth, but the rebellious children refused to hear the law of Jehovah. They had grown comfortable with deceit, straying further and further from His path. Their hearts filled with arrogance, causing the Holy One of Israel to cease before them.
The Holy One warned them, their rebellious actions and reliance on perverseness and oppression were but a swelling wall, ready to collapse at any moment. And when it does break, it would shatter, irreparable, not a single shard left for them to take fire from the hearth or water from the cistern.
But the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, offered them redemption. They simply had to return, rest and place their faith in Him for salvation. Sadly, they refused the offer of peace, choosing instead to flee on horses, to swift riders. Their foes too were swift, causing many to flee before the threat of a handful, leaving behind remnants of their once great numbers.
Yet in His infinite grace, the Lord chose to wait, hoping to be gracious to them. He was still ready to show them mercy, for He was a God of justice, extending His blessings to those who patiently waited for Him. The Lord offered them the chance to dwell in Zion, at Jerusalem, promising them that their weeping would cease. Even at the worst of times, when they were given the bread of adversity and water of affliction, He ensured they’d see their teachers and hear the divine wisdom guiding them.
The Lord urged them to remove the stains from their graven images, to cast away their idols plated with gold and silver. In return, He promised to fulfill their needs, giving them rain for their seeds to sow their lands plentifully. He assured them their cattle would feed in large pastures, their lands watered by streams from high hills and lofty mountains.
The Lord, in His kindness, pledged to heal their wounds and bind up their injuries. His mighty name would descend upon them, burning with anger, yet full of hope for a renewed covenant. His divine rage was intimidating, as an overflowing stream rushing to the neck, but necessary to sift through the nations with the sieve of destruction. Yet, amid all this, there would be a song of joy, a glad heart, as one would come with a pipe to the mountain of Jehovah, to the Rock of Israel.
Jehovah will assert His power, His commanding voice echoing with the force of thunder, smiting the Assyrian with his rod. By His decree, each punishment would be echoed with the sound of tabrets and harps. He would brandish his arm, displaying his might for all to see. He prepared the old Topheth, a place for the king with fire and much wood, ready to ignite with the breath of Jehovah, like a stream of brimstone.
Thus was the tale of a people consumed by their own desires and rebellious will. A people who had chosen the path of their downfall, ignoring the divine warnings and gracious offers by the Holy One of Israel. But even in their rebellion, the Lord was patient, he was ready to show them mercy, hoping they’d return to His path and find their salvation in Him.
