2 Chronicles 36:20–21 (ESV) —
20 He took into exile in Babylon those who had escaped from the sword,
and they became servants to him and to his sons until the establishment of the
kingdom of Persia, 21 to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of
Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths. All the days that it lay
desolate it kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.
NOTE: The
destruction of Jerusalem and the temple represents the fulfillment of promises
(curses) laid out in Deuteronomy for failure to obey. The length of the
departure from the land corresponds to a number representing failed Sabbaths.
The number is probably associated with the Sabbath years (every seventh), but
it very well could represent all Sabbaths since the nation was founded long
enough to accumulate the required Sabbaths. In either case, both actions are
the result of failure to obey God (the casting out of the land and the length
of time they are cast out). God's message is very clear -- "I demand
obedience." But it is not just obedience, in fact, it is the heart that is
more important than the actions. Later God will say that he abhors their
sacrifices (which are actions of obedience) because there is no heart
associated with the action. Jesus' summary of the entire law -- Love God and
Love your neighbor -- essentially reiterates the same point. God expects
obedience that issues out of a loving heart.
PRAYER: Father, may
I never obey just for the sake of the action. I want to obey your law in Spirit
as much as in deed. I am under the OT Law, but I am under the Law of Christ. I
desire to obey. I desire greatly to be responsive to your prodding of my heart.
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