After the first exile to Babylon, God allowed a remnant to remain in Jerusalem. But it rebelled against Babylon’s rule and turned to Egypt’s army to regain freedom. However, God would send Babylon again to fully destroy Jerusalem because his people rejected his covenant: God would protect them when they submitted to the Babylonians. The Israelites needed intensive rehabilitation to be cured of their idol worship. Likewise, we must humble ourselves in the time of God’s discipline. If we rebel, we only make it worse for ourselves.

In his grace, God promised that he would raise up a leader for his people of humble origin who would be a blessing to the whole world. This promise looks forward to the Messiah Jesus who was born in lowly circumstances and became the Savior of the world. When we humble ourselves under God’s will, he will also lift us up and make us a source of blessing to all people through Christ.
Application: Father, thank you for a new covenant in Jesus. Please help me to receive your divine discipline humbly and be raised up as a blessing to the world.
One Word: God judges those who break his covenant and restores those who humbly submit