Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians. God’s judgment has come as was forewarned. In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up. And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 39:1–2, 8 KJV) Everything that the prophets had predicted came to pass.
Patience Proceeds Judgment
As I think about other instances of God’s judgment in the Bible, I am reminded that a period of longsuffering often preceded the judgment. The clearest example would be the flood of Noah’s day. One hundred and twenty years passed from when Noah was told to build the Ark until God shut the door with Noah’s family inside the Ark. Noah had warned, but the people rejected God’s longsuffering. What moments like this in Scripture remind us of is that God’s patience is not to be taken for granted or misunderstood as God doing nothing. How good of God to be so patient!
Patience In The Last Days
According to the Bible, there is yet a time of judgment for this world following Christ’s return. But, once again, at this time, God is patiently waiting for there are precious souls yet to come to Christ. In fact, Christians are also exhorted to be patient, as He is patient.
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (James 5:7–8, ESV)
Patiently Waiting
So, how is the world at large interpreting the patience of God? Human nature and the blindness of sin being what they are, notice how the Bible describes the present-day reaction of the wicked.
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2 Peter 3:3–4, KJV)
Yes, many of the wicked are responding today, as they did in the days of Noah and like Judah and Jerusalem did to Jeremiah—sinning away the days of God’s patience as He waits for their repentance.
Believer, the Lord’s return is nigh at hand! The sin, wickedness, and hatred of God in this world will not go on indefinitely. Let us be patient and rejoice in the patience of God as precious souls come to Christ, even in the twilight of these last days!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Jeremiah 38-40; Psalm 74, 79.