Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 28:8-15
Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 16:29-17:24; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded, and he went out to meet the army that came to Samaria and said to them, “Now hear me, and send back the captives from your relatives whom you have taken, for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you.” (2 Chronicles 28:9, 11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. About three centuries after David had united the kingdom of Israel, we turn to 2 Chronicles to find it is split into two. The Northern Kingdom of Israel has just won a civil war as brutal and bitter as the worst sibling rivalry. The writer of 2 Chronicles pulls back the curtains of heaven to let us know that God is directing history. The Northern Kingdom’s army is His tool to discipline King Ahaz and the kingdom of Judah. The Lord wants them to repent of their false worship, which even goes so far as to include child sacrifice to pagan gods in 28:3. Yikes!

The victorious warriors are all excited about the wealth of slaves they are bringing back home. But then Obed, the prophet of the Lord, gets in the way of their victory parade. And the situation completely changes as these soldiers suddenly have compassion for their captives. Not only do they free them from slavery, but they actually give us a great example of living out the Fifth Commandment (and Seventh as well), helping and supporting their neighbors in every physical need before bringing them back to their families in Judah!

How on earth is such a change of heart possible? It’s not. Not with man. But with God all things are possible. As the Lord sent His Word down from heaven through the mouth of His servant Obed, it worked repentance into the soldiers’ hearts. Just like when Jonah preached repentance to Nineveh. Just like when your pastor or a fellow Christian speaks God’s Word to you and it works to create and strengthen your faith in Christ, the mighty warrior of the Lord, who has freed you from your captivity to sin and clothes you with His righteousness. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, in Your deep compassion You rescue us from whatever may hurt us. Teach us to love You above all things and to love our neighbors as ourselves; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch