Subscription Lists
Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
“Ah, the Promised Land! It is but a stone's throw away from Israel and surely unimaginable blessings must be in their future!” Such might have been the thoughts of an observer as the beleaguered descendents of Jacob came to the end of their 40 year trek leaving Egypt and approaching Canaan. Yet, there are passages that speak of a different outcome entirely; rather than blessings they speak of curses. Today's message will deal with a different promise of the Promised Land.
Here is one if the different promises that God uttered regarding the Promised Land: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed.” (Deuteronomy 4.26). This was a promise; even a quick read of the text will verify that. But, it certainly was not a promise of Milk and Honey; it was everything but!
There is a larger context to this passage that you are urged to read. However, for brevity's sale we will just say here that the context is one of warnings should Israel choose to ignore God's covenant that they accepted at Sinai. In other words, the positive promises of Milk and Honey had their negative counterparts unless Israel walked in the pathway that the LORD set forth. So actually the promises behind the Promised Land were conditional promises. The blessings that awaited in Canaan were not slam dunk blessings; they depended upon Israel's obedience to God's instructions!
Today's focus text in Deuteronomy chapter 4 and verse 26 is a somber warning. Now lets fast forward about 7 or 8 centuries through history to the time of Jeremiah and note another chapter 4 and verse 26. Here's the quote: “I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were broken down At the presence of the LORD, By His fierce anger.” (Jeremiah 4.26). The fruitful land of which Jeremiah wrote was the storied Promised Land. However, rather than flowing with Milk and Honey, it was but a land of ruined cities and desolate countryside.
To enlarge the context of the text from Jeremiah, consider a couple of nearby verses. “O my soul, my soul! I am pained in my very heart! My heart makes a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, Because you have heard, O my soul, The sound of the trumpet, The alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried, For the whole land is plundered. Suddenly my tents are plundered, And my curtains in a moment.” (Jeremiah 4.19-20). The picture here is of the utter destruction that God predicted in Deuteronomy 4.26. But lest one think that God was gloating over the desolation, note the fact that He was pained in His very heart! God cannot help but be true to His character – even when His actions bring Him pain!
It strikes me that we live in a world that loves to critique God. It is always too hot or too cold. The economy is too slow or inflation is too high. Countries that ought to be flourishing are on the wane, and unknown lands seem to be taking the upper hand. The list of how God is mismanaging this old world could go on endlessly. Yet, even though we are quick to criticize, how often do we stop to acknowledge our own failures to live up to the conditions of peace and prosperity that otherwise might be ours. We frequently treat God as though His promises were unconditional! Yet when we read the fine print there are conditions – conditions like treating others the way we would want to be treated and like giving thanks in all circumstances and situations.
Maybe, just maybe, it isn't God who should be blamed. Perhaps by shouldering the responsibilities that are ours and by refusing to point the fingers at others, we can make this world a better place AND secure for ourselves a home in the world to come!
Questions:
1. What is the difference between a conditional and an unconditional promise?
2. Were God's promises to Israel regarding the Promised Land conditional or unconditional?
3. When God spoke through Jeremiah of Israel's utter destruction, how did God feel about the situation?
4. When bad things happen to good people, is it because God is uncaring or harsh? Does God take pleasure in the pain that we feel? Does God discipline His children; if so how (see Hebrews 12.1-13)?
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Today's Little Lift" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.