25:17-26
We now get a list of the nations the cup went to. First to Jerusalem and Judah, remember that Peter wrote about judgement beginning with the house of God. In the prophets we normally find much judgement against Israel, then judgement against other nations. The kings and officials are singled out, for they bore the heaviest responsibility.
Then we get a whole list of nations, covering all kinds. Coastal nations, small nations, large nations. No one will escape, all are subject to God’s judgement. Sheshak (v26) is a cryptogram for Babylon.
25:27-29
“Judgement begins with the house of God” (1 Pet 4:17). The nations mocked Israel and Judah, glorying in their downfall. But this was a badly mistaken reaction. For Israel was not a model of what would happen to the whole world. There is a sense in which Israel is no different from anyone else. The nature of the people is the same as all people. This is why we see sin raising its head again and again in Israel as recorded in the Old Testament. She could not reform herself. So judgement would come upon her. In the same way, all nations, all people are under judgement, unable to save themselves. That is the bad news. The good news is that we can all be saved through faith in Christ, both Jew and Gentile.
No comments:
Post a Comment