Reading
SAA Notes
The worship of Molech was very evil, involving the sacrifice of your first-born. The country Ammon, though, receives a promise of God’s undeserved grace (verse 6). Edom (the people of Esau) however, receives no such promise. Meditate on this great mystery – of God’s undeserved grace. The last scions of Edomite blood were the Herods of the New Testament.
SJA Notes
* God Above, please teach us truth from Your word today.
“I will restore the fortunes of Elam, declares the Lord.”
“Edom shall become a horror. Everyone who passes by it will be horrified and will hiss because of all its disasters.”
We read in today’s passage judgement upon the nations of Moab, Ammon and Elam.
And yet there are different outcomes.
There is a great mystery in different tensions that God presents us in His word.
One of these is expressed so clearly in Malachi chapter one,
“Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated.”
In Romans chapter 9 we read a layering over of what is said in Malachi,
“… in order that God’s purpose of election might continue,”
We see in this passage that Elam will be restored, but Edom shall be destroyed.
Edom were the descendants of Esau, son of Isaac, brother to Jacob.
Election.
God has purpose in election.
Can we sway His election, or do anything to help affect it?
Paul has an important point in Ephesians chapter 2,
“… and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
God’s purpose in our election is not for our boasting, not for us to feel better than others.
There is nothing of us. Nothing of what we do.
Am I temped to yield to pride and arrogance today?
Let me remember God’s election, that He determines, and praise God for my King Jesus who saved me!
* Father Above,
It is You who saved, You who calls, You that elects us.
It is by Your will alone, Your grace, and nothing of us.
Thank You Lord that we can trust in this truth.
Amen.