Let’s talk about friendly captivity today. Allow me to share an example from Isaiah 39:1-7:
“At that time Merodach-Baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been ill and had recovered. Hezekiah welcomed them and showed them his storehouse with its silver, gold, spices, and high-quality olive oil, as well as his whole armory and everything in his treasuries. Hezekiah showed them everything in his palace and in his whole kingdom.Isaiah the prophet visited King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did these men say? Where do they come from?” Hezekiah replied, “They come from the distant land of Babylon.” Isaiah asked, “What have they seen in your palace?” Hezekiah replied, “They have seen everything in my palace. I showed them everything in my treasuries.” Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to the word of the Lord who commands armies: ‘Look, a time is coming when everything in your palace and the things your ancestors have accumulated to this day will be carried away to Babylon; nothing will be left,’ says the Lord. ‘Some of your very own descendants whom you father will be taken away and will be made eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’”
My friends that prophecy came true and all those people became captives of Babylon and were carried away. (Daniel 1)
Friendly Captivity!
Here’s what Beth Moore says about this passage,
“Notice the prince of Babylon won Hezekiah’s favor by appearing sympathetic to his illness. Hezekiah dropped his guard and showed every treasure in Judah. The existence of priceless articles in Judah was rehearsed in the ears of Babylonian rulers for the next one hundred years. The sin and rebellion of God’s people ultimately left them defenseless. God’s arm was not to short to save, but their iniquities had separated them from their Defender (See Isaiah 59:1-2). The powerful King Nebuchadnezzar received the invitation written by their weaknesses and RSVP’d by looting them. If you;re like me, you have also allowed some of your untreated weaknesses to engrave and invitation to the enemy. Satan recognizes treasures God has given us more than we do. He knows we are royal heirs of the kingdom treasury of God. The more we play with Satan’s “world” the more the consummate prince of Babylon will try to take. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Satan may bide his time until the opportune moment, but make no mistake – he will RSVP with an acceptance. We’ll be the ones left with the regret.”
“Embarrassing isn’t it? Oh, but what motivation to never let it happen again.”
My friend, don’t be deceived by the evil one. Don’t be dooped by friendly captivity. Tomorrow we’ll take a look at Daniel 1 and break it down for you. We’ll take a deeper look into friendly captivity. In the meantime, lift your voices up to the Lord. Cry out and ask him to show you if you are surrounded by friendly captives.
In His Service
Jeanette
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