02.25.09
Isaiah - Day 222
Scripture: Isaiah 11:13 (NIV): "Ephraim's jealousy will vanish, and Judah's enemies will be cut off; Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim."
Thought: To me, a bigger love than human love--God's love--wipes out jealousy and the like.
Question: Do I let God deal with my jealousy?
"Ephraim" was Joseph's older son and developed into a strong tribe of Israel. Later on the name "Ephraim" came to be considered a synonym for the nation Israel.
What force is able to put an end to one nation's jealousy over another nation? For that matter, what force is able to conquer any jealousy springing up in the human heart? What force? The "force" of God's righteousness! There will be no other solution to the issues of conflict that our hearts struggle with, or that families, neighborhoods, countries or nations struggle with--no other solution than to turn to the power of the "rightness" of God.
God is not to be called upon merely as a "helper." He is not to be denigrated or cast into the "back seat" of our affairs. Man is not at all in ultimate control, nor should he think he is or act as though he is. Thank goodness God will remain in control no matter what we do, but it is way beyond high time for all of us to realize Who God really is and who we really are next to Him. He is the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient Creator of all of us, our planet and our universe, and we are His creatures.
When God assigns Christ Jesus to rule His Kingdom on earth during The Millenium, Christ's authority as a true member of the Godhead begins to take hold on the earth. In Isaiah 11 we have been studying the way this establishment of Godly power will unfold upon earth. We have seen Christ becoming fruitful (verse 1); we have seen the fullness of the Holy Spirit upon Him (verse 2); we have seen His clean and pure judgment on the earth (verses 3 and 4); we have seen Him characterized in all things by righteousness and faithfulness (verse 5); we have seen unprecedented peace in the earth as a result of this judgment, followed by righteousness and faithfulness (verses 6 - 9), and we have seen "glorious rest" brought to all the peoples as He gathers them back to Himself (verses 10 - 12). "Glorious rest" partly translates out as "no jealousy"! Ephraim's jealousy will vanish..." How? Why? By God's will and by the spread of God's righteous power! (Isaiah 11:9).
Webster defines "jealousy" as "the state of demanding complete devotion" of another, or being "suspicious of a rival." Did the divided nations of the Jews become suspicious of each other regarding who was loved more by God? Or was their jealousy based on which of the two of them was more admired by the world around them? Either way, God's reunification of them will wipe it all out. The basis for their jealously will disappear, there is no more desire to be "suspicious of a rival" or to "demand complete devotion"--God's love will fill all needs in that Millenial Day!
Prayer: Great God of Love, when You rule, peace reigns and the evils of jealousy and a host of other problems flee! Thank You for being able to look forward to a day when You will have complete earthly rule! Amen.
Sheryl Fortin :
02/26/2009, at 09:08 [ Reply ]
Amen.