As a missionary in the Middle East, I lived twenty years among some of the nations Israel turned to for help in ages past. I reflect on the sought-after “strength” of those nations–now long gone–as I share with you a portion of this chapter from my new Advent devotional, When You Don’t Feel Like Celebrating.
This is what the Lord says to me: “As a lion growls, a great lion over its prey—and though a whole band of shepherds is called together against it, it is not frightened by their shouts or disturbed by their clamor—so the Lord Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights.” (Isaiah 31:4 NIV)
The kingdom of Egypt has a long and illustrious history, which spans thousands of years. Even now, tourists flock to see the wonders of the great pyramids, the temples of Luxor, and the carvings of Abu Simbel. Egyptians always did things on a grand scale, intimidating their neighbors and potential enemies. Even in the Bible, Egypt is hard to miss as this country is mentioned in the Old Testament almost seven hundred times. From the time Abraham escaped there during the famine (Gen. 12) to the flight of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus (Matt. 2), Egypt has earned a prominent place in Jewish history. When another famine came over the land, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt for help. Egypt seemed to be the go-to country for provision. The question raised by reading the thirty-first chapter of Isaiah would then be, “Why is this a problem?”
Where Is Our Reliance Placed?
Among the other sins pointed out by the prophet, God made it clear that the Israelites had misplaced their reliance and put their faith in countries like Egypt instead of in the God of their fathers. More than once up to this point in their history, the Israelites had placed their hope in Egypt over the Lord. Whether they asked other gods for protection against their enemies or made alliances with pagan nations, Israel had often sought outside help before seeking God’s direction. Why would they do this? They saw the might of men as greater than that of God. “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitutde of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD…But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit” (Isa. 31:1, 3a).
On whom do you rely? Man or God? When you’ve faced trials and struggles, have you relied on anything other than God to save you? The help of this world quickly turns useless. Just as Egypt’s power proved fickle and would not last, so, too, will the man-made remedies we try to apply to our daily troubles. That is why we need a Power Source greater than anything found on this earth.
Return to Him
The people of Judah did not have to remain stuck in their reliance on others; they could return to God, the Lion-King, because they were part of His tribe. They just needed to remember Jacob’s blessing to his son Judah:
Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you will return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness–who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come, and the obedience of the nations shall be his (Gen. 49:8-10, emphasis added).
This is a clear prophetic word that the tribe of Judah would be the cub of the lion–and not just any Lion but a great Ruler. “Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals” (Rev. 5:5, emphasis added).
Will you set aside all your man-made remedies and return to the Lion of the tribe of Judah? He has already triumphed over the power of sin and death through His death and resurrection; He alone is able to give you victory over your trials and struggles. Come back to Him today.
Grace and Peace
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I love this admonition to trust God. I have been so encouraged as I have read your book, When You Don’t Feel Like Celebrating. It is helping me find peace during this Christmas season and to find joy as it reminds me of God’s great love for us as we celebrate His Son Jesus. Thank you for encouraging my heart!
Thank you, Eugenia. I’m so thankful for the Lord using the book and his Word to encourage you this Christmas season. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! That was beautiful and wonderful this morning! God bless you Carol as you continue to point others to the Savior! Love and prayers, Sheila
Thank you so much, Sheila. So good to hear from you again. May the Lord bless you this Christmas with special touches of house grace and presence.