Ship of the West
To the Exiles: – "Pray for the peace and prosperity of the city where I have carried you"
This was the message given to the Jews taken captive by the King of Babylon and it extends to the Hebrew People to this day. The message was so contrary to those of the Jewish false prophets who recommended that the Jews to rebel against their captors. According to Moses, the infrastructure within the land of Israel would be destroyed due to their rebellion and a new page would turn in their relationship with the Nations. The seed of Abraham would be scattered to all nations and would become defenseless while dwelling within the borders of their enemies. Moses said, “The LORD will scatter you… among the nations.” (Deuteronomy 4:26-27)
The scattering of the Holy People has always been in accordance with His great plan for Israel. Joseph (the Prototype Israelite) was taken to Egypt. He was oppressed, yet through it all; he maintained his integrity and composure, and sought to bless the nations even as he was abused as a prisoner. Eventually he rose to prominence among the people in a nation not his own. The people of Egypt came to look upon him as their Savior during the approach of a great time of trouble. But how different would the influence of Joseph been if he had gathered men around him to complain against and undermine those whose authority he was placed under?
This was the message given to the Jews taken captive by the King of Babylon and it extends to the Hebrew People to this day. The message was so contrary to those of the Jewish false prophets who recommended that the Jews to rebel against their captors. According to Moses, the infrastructure within the land of Israel would be destroyed due to their rebellion and a new page would turn in their relationship with the Nations. The seed of Abraham would be scattered to all nations and would become defenseless while dwelling within the borders of their enemies. Moses said, “The LORD will scatter you… among the nations.” (Deuteronomy 4:26-27)
The scattering of the Holy People has always been in accordance with His great plan for Israel. Joseph (the Prototype Israelite) was taken to Egypt. He was oppressed, yet through it all; he maintained his integrity and composure, and sought to bless the nations even as he was abused as a prisoner. Eventually he rose to prominence among the people in a nation not his own. The people of Egypt came to look upon him as their Savior during the approach of a great time of trouble. But how different would the influence of Joseph been if he had gathered men around him to complain against and undermine those whose authority he was placed under?
If we pray earnestly and sincerely for the prosperity of those around us, we too can receive wisdom from above as did Joseph: “This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." (Jeremiah 29:4-7)