Blog
Going to Battle
King Neco of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish, and Josiah went out against him. But Neco sent envoys to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I am not coming out against you today. Cease opposing God, who is with me, so that he will not destroy you.” (2 Chronicles 35:20-27 abridged, NRSV)
So there’s King Josiah, sitting successful and righteous on the throne, having returned the people to their covenant with God and to the obedient practice of the Law. He’s done well. He’s been faithful. He’s earned great acclaim.
And then.
Then, Josiah chooses to ride into battle against King Neco, who is warring against the Hittites of Carchemish. Before Josiah reaches the scene of action, Neco sends messengers to politely suggest that Josiah isn’t the only king doing holy work. “God commanded me to oppose the Hittites,” Neco tells Josiah. But Josiah doesn’t heed “the words of Neco from the mouth of God” (35:22).
And so it comes to pass that, after a celebrated 31-year reign, King Josiah dies from wounds sustained in the battle against Neco.
It prompts me to wonder how often we Christians go to battle against God simply because we don’t (won’t) recognize God’s work through the hands of a stranger.
It prompts me to wonder how much easier it is to create a new enemy than to develop a new partner.
It prompts me to marvel over our frequent choice to demonize someone because we love God. To embrace battle because we fly God’s banner. To disdain wisdom because we are right in God’s name. All with great conviction.
Josiah spent his lifetime focused on right relationship with God. He still missed the point of recognizing God in a stranger.
Prayer: For railing against enemies louder than I love my neighbor, forgive me.
cross-posted with the Daily Devotional (ucc.org)
Whose Glory?
Deborah, a prophetess, used to sit under a palm in the hill country of Ephraim. She summoned Barak and said to him, “The God of Israel commands you, ‘Go, take position at Mount Tabor; I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you with his chariots and troops, and I will give him into your hand.’ Nevertheless,” Deborah continued, “the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for God will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” (Judges 4:4-9 excerpted, NRSV)
Actually, Barak gets his share of praise in the post-battle victory song of Judges 5. So does Deborah, for her role in laying out God’s battle plan to Barak.
Then the victory song celebrates Jael, the woman who brought refreshments to General Sisera with one hand and a deadly tent peg in the other.
But beyond the Book of Judges, Barak is barely mentioned; Deborah and Jael aren’t at all. Ultimately, the victory over Sisera is a small detail within the larger story of God’s covenant with humanity.
I suppose most of our “victories” in life are small like that: noticed only by a few, remembered by even fewer, but pivotal to us in the moment. The victory of self-restraint over temptation. The victory of integrity within our work. The victory of peace in a season of turmoil.
Sometimes, the victory is getting out of bed. Sometimes, the victory is defeating the bad guy. Either way, tomorrow will bring a new share of struggles and triumphs.
It’s just fine if folks don’t break into a song after we’ve risen to the occasion; if our name isn’t remembered for all time because we’ve faithfully followed God; if a path of glory isn’t laid out for us after we’ve battled our inner demons or triumphed over injustice. The road doesn’t lead to our glory, Deborah reminds us. It was never meant to.
Prayer: The glory is yours, O God, for the miracle of this breath and the mercy of this day. Guide me through success and failure so that I remain forever on your path.
cross-posted with the Daily Devotional (ucc.org)
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