Daily Devotional for Friday, July 17
Israel’s Alliances
“Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt,” Hosea 12:1.
Throughout history, nations have sought alliances with other countries to provide safety in times of war and economic cooperation with goods and services. Just as countries have sought these alliances for their betterment, there have also been the times that countries have found that their supposed allies have forsaken them in times of trouble. Today, the most powerful alliance that many countries are a part of is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also known as NATO. Its main purpose is to safeguard the security of its member states through political and military means.
Israel, in her history, had made many alliances with different nations, expecting that they would provide protection against invasion and provide needed foods and materials during times of need. While there is not a problem with having trade agreements, Israel and Judah’s kings, along with some of the tribes of Israel, such as Ephraim, had grown to trust in these alliances instead of the Lord for their protection and blessings. When confronted with their betrayal to the Lord, it is said of Ephraim, “He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin” (Hosea 12:7, 8). There was also a time with King Hezekiah when he had the opportunity to make an alliance with the king of Assyria to protect Jerusalem from being invaded but he relied on the Lord and the Lord protected them. He learned that the only alliance they were in need of was with the Lord.
JUST A THOUGHT
You do not have to worry about alliances with the world because “thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).
Tim Chambers