It’s easy to follow a fierce lion, but who wants to follow a lamb? The Lamb, they sing, is worthy, not because he headbutted someone off the stage. No, he is worthy because he was slain, and by being slain, the Lamb “purchased” a universal people of God, and they—not Babylon’s lords—will be a “kingdom and priests to serve our God.”Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett
Scripture
Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon, bow as they are lowered to the ground. They are being hauled away on ox carts. The poor beasts stagger under the weight.
Observation
Idols of the Babylonian gods Bel and Nebo are taken away on ox carts. They cannot save their people and their people cannot save them.
In the other hand, the Lord has cared for the people of Israel since they were born. The Lord is nothing like some idol made from gold that cannot move or answer prayer.
The Lord alone is God. He controls the future because everything He plans comes to pass. He is about to set things right to to restore Jerusalem and save Israel.
Application
Idolatry is a pointless exercise, but many people engage in it. Idols cannot move or pray. They cannot protect themselves from the hands of people, much less protect their worshippers.
The Lord alone is God. He tells us not to make physical representations of Him because He is far greater than that.
The Lord answers prayers. He looks after the people who put their trust in Him.
To bow down and worship other gods is foolish. Anyone can approach the Lord and seek Him. Unlike the idols, He is real and He desires relationship with us.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for your great love. Please keep me free from the temptation to worship idols and to trust in false gods. men.
A beautiful morning to be in the forest. Nice ride to Jacks Creek and Gun Club Roads. #cycling #Narrabri #Biketooter
John is saying that Jesus is there with them, alive and speaking, and they should hear him speaking as the one true ruler of the world, the Lord of lords! They should declare allegiance to him, walk in the way of the Lamb, and resist the dragon by refusing to walk in the way of Babylon. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett
Scripture
This is what the Lord says to Cyrus, his anointed one whose right hand he will empower.
Observation
The Lord calls the Persian ruler to the task of setting Israel free from its captivity in Babylon. The Lord will prepare the way for him and grant him treasures. He does this for the sake of his servant Israel.
Just as the Lord created the heavens and the earth, so He will raise up Cyrus to fulfil his righteous purpose. He will restore Jerusalem and set free the Lord’s people.
All the world will look to the Lord for salvation. Every knee will bow to Him and every tongue will confess allegiance to Him.
Application
The Lord refers to Cyrus as His anointed one, the Messiah. No other foreign ruler is called by such an exalted name in all of Scripture.
Cyrus, the ruler of Persia, was called and positioned for the task of setting God’s people Israel free from captivity.
A pagan king is anointed by God for a great purpose. One of the out workings of this is that salvation will be offered to the whole world.
It seems unlikely that Cyrus was aware of this anointing and calling. He was just driven by his own ambitions, plans, and worldly wisdom. God used him anyway.
You and I are often not aware of God’s directions and purposes. We want to honour God and obey him. In the multitudes of small decisions we make, God is working out His purposes for us and for the people around us.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for the knowledge that you are with me. Please help me to trust you as I try to serve you each day. Amen.
A glorious morning today. Great to be out on the bike along Yarrie Lake Rd #Narrabri #cycling #biketooter
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