“Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-Gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, ‘Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.’ But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, ‘On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.’ The elders of Jabesh said to him, ‘Give us seven days’ respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.'” 1 Samuel 11:1-3
Devotional Thought For The Day
This occurred shortly after Saul had been made king over Israel. The transition to a monarchy had not been completely smooth. The purpose of having a monarchy was precisely to carve out a geographical area that would have sovereignty and repel external threats like this one from the Ammonites. The response of Saul and the children of Israel was decisive – they gathered a large army, organized and commenced their attack of defense on behalf of the people of Jabesh-Gilead. The result was reported: “They struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.” This event served to end the initial reluctance and hesitancy among God’s people to gather together under Saul and fully support him as their new king.
It is interesting to note that there have always been ruthless and wicked people in the world – greedy to take economic advantage of others and ready to inflict barbaric conditions on them. What choice would you have made under these circumstances? Would you have fought to an almost certain death against a vastly superior enemy or signed the treaty and given up an eye? We see brute beasts among humanity today imposing similar conditions on innocent people, and it shocks us. But such has been the nature of human kind from the fall of Adam and Eve through the centuries; well, there have always been some human beings who have sold themselves into the darkness of unthinkable barbarity.
It is also noteworthy that children of God immediately understood their duty to protect the innocent and to militarily destroy brutish invaders and subjugators and torturers of humanity. They did so under different circumstances – in their context church and state were coterminous. We do not have this today, but rather observe a somewhat strict separation of church and state. However, Christians are citizens, and states [nations] still have the same responsibilities to protect innocent human life and to rid the earth of vicious, brutal, inhumane groups of people, even if they can be defined as a legitimate nation [authority]. It should be evident to us today what responsibility our government has to fulfill our responsibilities and obligations. Thankfully, our current leadership appears to have understood and committed itself to carrying out these duties. The world is a much closer place given the speed with which we can reach various places across the globe; we have far more “neighbors” and partners.
This is not to say that we are uncompassionate toward the eternal plight of these wretched souls. We wish that they would consider the will and role of the Prince of Peace, the Ruler of the Universe, and in deep repentance join themselves to His cause, and behave consistent with His law. And much effort is being made to reach out to people of Islamic loyalty living in troubled areas of the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And we might be surprised to learn that there are thousands of Christians living in near proximity to where the modern butchers are today working in Iraq and Syria [and other Near Eastern and African regions]. And these brothers and sisters in Christ are specifically targeted for expulsion or destruction – just as the Ammonites targeted Jabesh-Gilead.
I wish we didn’t have to think about these things, that our faith and life could be insulated from such wretched inhumanity, that such people would once and for all time be eradicated from the earth. We remember today that they have been able to perpetrate their evil even on our own soil. Alas, it is unlikely that they will be completely destroyed prior to the return of the Lord Jesus in glory. In the meantime, we must be properly manly and brave and principled, ready to take up our duties as they come to us. May God watch over all who risk life and health to protect the innocent and punish the brutally wicked. May they have great success and restore at least a semblance of peace and normalcy to the populations of these areas. We should not be afraid or embarrassed to stand up for what is right, and as citizens, to require our government to do the same. Clearly, distinctions of right and wrong can be seen, and differences among humanity. Perhaps the current threats will compel greater unity among nations in controlling and exterminating these human vermin.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, through the centuries You have grieved over the wretched barbarity of utterly perverted human beings, calling them to repentance and ultimately arranging for their destruction. We pray for Your protection of innocent people today, and for You to call up those forces which will eradicate brutal and barbaric violence. We have much to repent of ourselves, and many of our fellow citizens also live in rebellion against You. Touch hearts and call them to Your love, that innocent people may have greater security and peace in our own nation and throughout the world. Amen.