Day 239, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Jeremiah 30–31; Ezekiel 25
Light at the End of a Dark Tunnel
No friends, no home, no money, and in jail describe someone who would feel hopeless. He might feel like he is traveling through a long dark tunnel. Is there any light at the end of it?
Perhaps our circumstances are not that bad, but at times we still feel hopeless. How can we move from a position of hopelessness to having hope for a better life? Where is the light at the end of our tunnel? In today’s Bible reading, that is what the Jewish exiles in Babylon want to know, and if we feel hopeless, that is what we want to know. Today’s Bible study may help us with answers to these questions.
Israel and Judah need a light; they were friendless
Not one neighboring nation came to their aid when their enemies attacked them. Worse yet, when their cities were destroyed, their neighbors mocked, rejoiced, and looted them. When Babylon attacked Jerusalem, Judah sought the help of Egypt and paid for her services. But Egypt retreated and did not help Judah again. Most of the people of Judah were killed.
Assyria and Babylon took Israel and Judah away from their homelands. Their people were scattered in areas under the control of Babylon. The treasures of their kingdoms were gone, the city walls were reduced to rubble, and every prominent building was burned. Almost all of the citizens who remained are dead. The rest had no money or assets, and they were poor and homeless. Their land belonged to someone else.
The survivors needed hope
Most of the survivors of Israel and Judah were in exile. Being in exile means confinement in a foreign land. Although, in many respects, they were allowed to live normally, any labor they performed was for the benefit of their conquerors.
The Jewish exiles were in a different culture in a strange land with strange gods and customs. They had no temple or sacrifices to offer there and no hope for a future… or so they thought.
The LORD was, however, still their God. He looked after them like a father over his disobedient children or a shepherd over his wandering flock. The small remnant in Jerusalem fled to Egypt for safety (contrary to the stern warnings of the LORD and Jeremiah). Now, God watched over his people for harm, not good. The Israelites continued to worship false gods, thinking they were prospering because of it. Their thinking was twisted; God prospered them until they began worshipping idols. Worshipping false gods was their downfall, not their failure to honor them. Babylon would soon attack Egypt, and they would be almost entirely destroyed.
God’s people are promised a light
The LORD promised that the exiles in Babylon and other nations would return to their homeland in the coming days, and God would restore them. This seemed impossible. How could it happen?
First, the people of Israel and Judah had to take stock of their situation and repent (turn from their sins to God for forgiveness). It appears Israel was the first to humble herself. She confessed,
“You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God. After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth” (Jeremiah 31:18b-19, NIV).
Have we taken stock of our situation? Are we in a hopeless state because of our own foolish actions or sins? The LORD heard Israel’s tears of repentance, and he will listen to ours if we turn to him in a spirit of genuine remorse. Let’s pray and seek him.
Because Israel repents, God will restore her to her place. He will bring his scattered people back to her homeland. Then he will destroy her enemies, bind her wounds, prosper her, and give her peace.
God works miracles
How would it be possible for Israel to return to her homeland if it were destroyed and occupied by others? The answer is that God is the LORD—he is Sovereign. God controls any event, leader, or people he wishes. God is kind and loving, but also Almighty. God has delivered Israel before and would do it again because he is faithful.
The LORD can work miracles, and he can create beauty out of ashes.
In the near fulfillment of this prophecy, Media-Persia would conquer Babylon and allow Israel to return to their land after seventy years of exile. She would be a protected state under Persia.
In the end times of the world, however, Israel will be given a change of heart and be saved (the fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:33-34 is recorded in Zechariah 14, Revelation 14:1-5, and Revelation 21).Once again, Israel will have her land back, and this time a king David- type person will, once again, rule on the throne forever. This will complete the Davidic Covenant, suspended for thousands of years because of Israel’s disobedience. God keeps his promises. This decree by the LORD was and is their hope. It is the light at the end of a dark tunnel.
Do we want hope?
If we are in a hopeless situation, God may deliver us. However, a lasting spiritual restoration will only come if we have a genuine change of heart (more). Many people are like wandering lambs, always getting themselves into trouble. Jesus encourages us to follow him, the chief shepherd of our souls.
He said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28, NIV).
If any of us are God’s lambs, we have hope! God will lead and guide our lives if we follow him. He will give us encouragement even in dark, seemingly hopeless circumstances. He is our light of hope at the end of a dark tunnel.
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28, NIV).
End notes:
1. Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, vol.1, by Walter A. Elwell, ©1988, pp.732-733
2.Israel is sometimes called Ephraim, the most prominent tribe of the northern kingdom.
Discussion
God offered Israelite exiles a light of hope and the end of their dark tunnel. What was it?
What was the condition for the LORD to work a miracle? What did Israel do, and how did the LORD bring a miracle?
How could we have a lasting spiritual restoration in our lives or that of our nation?
Focus Verse
Psalm 51:12 (NIV) “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: Tyre is a nation which pictures Satan in this Next Lesson. Learn how they fell from their positions, and how can we prevent Falling from Greatness.
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