In 605 B.C. Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar became the dominant world empire. That is how the history books record it. God, however, pulls back the veil and tells the real story to the prophet, Jeremiah. “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel…I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him. And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son, until the time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him” (Jeremiah 27:4-7).
The circumstance at the time of this message to Jeremiah involved the nation of Israel or, more precisely, the southern kingdom of Judah. (Israel had been divided into two nations, Israel and Judah, after Solomon’s demise. The northern kingdom, Israel, was overcome by Assyria and carried away captive in 722 B.C.) Judah had not lived up to the covenant made with God at Sinai under Moses. God through Jeremiah warned that if the people did not repent and obey his voice, he would send them into captivity. God would use this captivity to teach his people about their God. God chose to use Babylon to execute this captivity and this was accomplished in three deportations from 605 B.C. to 586 B.C.
The Scriptures are clear that “the earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). Consequently, God accomplishes his purposes in human history for his own glory. Thus, he elevated Babylon and used Nebuchadnezzar, whom he called “my servant”, to accomplish his purpose in Israel. Daniel reminds us “he [God] removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Daniel 2:21). Later, Daniel reminds this same Nebuchadnezzar “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17). Think of our current slate of world leaders, Putin, Biden, Trudeau, etc. For example, in our country we would say the president was elected by the people and this is true. But God would have us understand that the president we currently have is in office by the appointment of God.
We see human history only from our limited viewpoint. We must understand that God is the author of every page in the history book. He is directing the events on this world’s stage to accomplish his purpose. We can be assured of that. He is never surprised or caught off guard by those things that occur. The Scriptures attest that he “worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11). “All things” means all things. Elections, uprisings, wars, climate change, life, death, and whatever else one might consider are woven together to bring about his great plan for the ages. Nothing will alter that.
The Psalmist found comfort in the nearness of this great God when troubled times came. He learned by experience that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore, will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2). No matter how cataclysmic the matter at hand be, God is present and God is greater. Where do you find your help in troubled times?
From the Chaplain 