Trading God

Nebuchadnezzar

The prophet Jeremiah spoke at a desperate time in Israel's history. The Babylonian Empire, motivated after conquering the Assyrian capital of Ninevah in 612 B.C., moved west to assume control of Assyria's former holdings. 

The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar (ruled 605-562), set his sights on Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel at this time, which had not fallen under Assyrian control.  

Word spread quickly among the Israelites that Nebuchanezzar was on his way, and everyone wondered what to do: do we trust Yahweh to deliver us? Is it too late (Jeremiah 27.6)? Should we seek help from Egypt (2.36ff)?

The Israelites had a long history of attempting to solve their problems by looking for a more accessible "god experience." This led them to trade Yahweh, the living redeemer god, for works of their own hands:

Has a nation changed its gods, even though there are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit. 2.11

Story of Kemosh

All nations of the ancient world had patron gods - these deities were inextricably tied to the peoples' national identity. The Moabites for instance, were known as the people of Kemosh; while the Philistines were associated with Dagon.

The unprecedented nature of Israel's rejection of Yahweh, leads Jeremiah to pen these words: Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate! 2.12                                    

                                       

In the end, Yahweh would use the coming destruction to show his people the natural progression of their destructive decision making. It was an attempt to get them to trust fully in him.

This story should get us thinking about where we might be trading God for things that do not profit, and if we are, begs us to turn from paths of destruction, to paths of life.