Jer. 25, 45-46
Jeremiah prophesied that God would use Babylon to punish His faithless people and then, after seventy years, He would punish Babylon. I’m not sure what to make of that. I am certain that this prophesy is more than just the historical event that took place. Everything in the Bible, everything in the story of God’s people has greater meaning for the whole earth…for us. Some of it I can see. Some of it not so much.
I do note that God referred to the king of Babylon as His servant. I find that interesting, since I am pretty sure the king of Babylon did not serve God of his own will. It’s questionable if the king of Babylon even knew about God. If he did, it was probably as ‘the God of the Jews”. Certainly not as his God.
This isn’t the first time, though, that we see God using someone who does not honor Him as God. The truth is, we are all servants of God. He is the Creator and is thus free to use anything and everything He created for His purpose. Someday maybe we will understand the intricacies of how an all-knowing, non-time bound God works with and through the hearts of men. For now that remains a great mystery. But I do know that I want to be counted as one who is a willing servant of the One True God.
Heb. 1
The first four verses of Hebrews make quite a statement about Jesus. Everything that is was created through Him, belongs to Him, is upheld by Him and is purified through Him. He is the radiance of God’s glory and the very imprint of God’s nature. He is above all. How God manifests Himself in the person of Jesus Christ is another one of those great mysteries that perhaps we will understand someday. But being able to believe and trust in something we cannot possibly wrap our minds around is what faith is all about.
In verse 14 of Hebrews 1, the writer mentions that the angels are “sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation”. That word “inherit”, with regards to our salvation, struck me this morning. An inheritance is not something that is earned. It is something that is gained simply because of who one’s father is. Because Jesus made purification for sins, as noted in verse 3, we who place our faith in Him are made children of God. And so we inherit salvation from our Father. Beautiful.