Word Traveler

"my daily encounter with God through His Word"

Dave Scriven

Dave Scriven
Location
Beaverton, Oregon, USA
Birthday
October 06
Title
Principal Broker
Company
RE/MAX
Bio
Bible guy, happily married, 7 kids, 1 cool grandkid, Realtor. If you want more, check out "My Story" at My Links below. Thanks! _______________________________ Credits: The black and white graphic of Moses at left of title bar is used by permission and entitled "The Spoken Law" by my friend and excellent comic book illustrator, Paul Gulacy.

NOVEMBER 2, 2009 12:03PM

"The Lessons Hazor Missed"

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Jeremiah 49.30-31 NKJV

“Flee, get far away! Dwell in the depths,
O inhabitants of Hazor!” says the Lord.
“For Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has taken counsel against you, and has conceived a plan against you.”

“Arise, go up to the wealthy nation that dwells securely,” says the Lord, “Which has neither gates nor bars, dwelling alone.”

Jeremiah warned the nomadic tribes of Hazor and Kedar, “Flee, get far away” from the violent assault of Nebuchadnezzar from Babylon. This foreign nation would sweep Palestine to become the dominating power of the Middle East around 600 years before Christ.

Hazor was an easy target as described in verse 31. It was considered a “wealthy [Bedouin] nation that dwells securely”. Hazor’s villages of tents had “neither gates nor bars” and inhabitants kept to themselves, living “alone” in the desert areas of upper Canaan. Hazor was easy pickings for the mighty Babylonian army because they were...

Complacent: “wealthy nation that dwells securely”

Am I complacent in the level of security I have achieved? Do I trust my bank accounts, 401K, and retirement plan more than Jesus? If so, then I better listen to God…

Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become
wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you
are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked...”
Revelation 3:15-17

Defenseless: “which has neither gates nor bars”

Have I faithfully erected gates of protection against the temptations that assault my mind every day? Are the iron bars of daily prayer, authority in Christ, and dependence upon His Word solidly in place? If not, then I need to…

“...take up the full armor of God,
so that you will be able to resist in the evil day,
and having done everything, to stand firm.”
Ephesians 6:11, 13

Independent: “dwelling alone”

Do I think I can make it all by myself without the help of my Christian brothers and sisters? Have I become deluded in the belief that allies are optional? If this is true, then I should get back to church…

“...and let us consider how to stimulate
one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our
own assembling together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another...”
Hebrews 10:24-25

I have an enemy. Babylon will take me down unless I learn the lessons Hazor missed.
___________________

"Complacency" illustration from Naval Safety Center (http://safetycenter.navy.mil/MEDIA/gallery/art/mech/categories/Classic2.htm).

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Comments

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Really nice, Dave, as usual. I've been so guilty through my adult life of showy "independence." It stemmed from a childhood where I could depend upon nothing or no one, so I foolishly concluded that if I didn't depend on anyone except myself, I wouldn't get hurt. Big mistake. I suppose the trick is carefully choosing those worthy of our trust, using our God-given common sense and inner "gates of protection."
Excellent point, Mary Ann. Thanks for the insight. I can relate well to what you are saying.