When Judgement Falls on a Nation

“The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy. Therefore He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or infirm; He gave them all into his hand.”
2 Chronicles 36:15-17

One of the most terrifying phrases in the Bible is “God gave them over...” That phrase is used repeatedly in the Old Testament to describe God’s dealing with Israel - His faithless people - through His divinely decreed captivity of Israel by other nations.

In the New Testament the phrase takes on new and traumatic meaning in Paul’s epistle to the Romans: “Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts...” (Rom. 1:24). “...God gave them over to degrading passions...” (Rom. 1:26). “...God gave them over to a depraved mind...” (Rom. 1:28).

Today the judgement of God is still expressed in terms of captivity. Although we may not be conquered by invading hordes, we are rapidly becoming a nation enslaved to moral depravity. Pornography, drugs, alcohol, homosexuality, abortion, child abuse, sexual immorality, and other forms of moral corruption have captured and now rule the heart and soul of a nation once founded on the moral principles of Scripture. The consequences are devastating. Families disintegrate. Public decency and compassion are neglected. Authority is despised. Chaos and degradation are unavoidable.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34