Jeremiah 34:10–11: “Now when all the princes and all the people, who had entered into the covenant, heard that everyone should set free his male and female slaves, that no one should keep them in bondage anymore, they obeyed and let them go. But afterward they changed their minds and made the male and female slaves return, whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection as male and female slaves.”

November 2nd, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Jerusalem was in a desperate situation as they lay surrounded and under siege by the Babylonians. In the midst of this crisis, the king and the people who owned Hebrew slaves swore before God that they would liberate them, not keeping any “Jewish brother [or sister] in bondage” (34:9). This was something they should have been doing already. When God first brought His people out of Egypt, He made a law that every Hebrew slave, after he had served 6 years, should be set free. Verse 14 tells us they had not been following that command. When they decided to obey now, it was under duress, or as we might say today, “they had a gun to their head.” No doubt they were hoping God would be impressed by their generous act, and in return, release them from the hand of the Babylonians. But their obedience was fleeting.

History tells us that around this same time, news arrived that the Egyptian army was marching to help Jerusalem, so the Babylonians temporarily left the siege on Jerusalem to attack the Egyptians. As soon as the Jews inside the city saw the Babylonians leave, they thought the danger was over and promptly canceled their promises to the slaves, taking them back into forced labor. Their hearts were not in submission to God, and their actions confirmed their rebellion. But God loved them too much to ignore their sin-filled hearts, so He forced them all into slavery to the Babylonians to teach them humility and submission to His will.

Many years ago a group of 3 mountain climbers were ascending the Matterhorn in the Alps. Two were experienced guides and the other was making his first climb up the rock and snow. When they reached the summit, the 2 experienced climbers moved aside to let the inexperienced one go first. The young man ascended the summit and was about to jump to his feet when his 2 guides pulled him down. When he asked them what they were doing, they said, “Hold your hand up.” He did and felt a powerful gust of wind. “Up here,” they explained, “the only safe place is on your knees.” This is true for every man, woman, and child on planet earth. The only safe place for us is on our knees before our Creator, but so few of us ever humbly submit and give God His rightful position as ruler over our lives. We should not be surprised then if He allows us to be taken captive in order to teach us submission. Choose today to submit, choose today to fall on your knees before God.

“LORD, you are Lord and we humbly bow before You this day, in Jesus’ name.”