03/05/2022 - SOLD TO JABIN

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So the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth Hagoyim. Judges 4:2

The plan of redemption on behalf of mankind began to be executed in the Garden of Eden, when God saw the pitiful state of man after Adam and Eve betrayed Him (read Genesis, chapter 3). Divine love, which surpasses all understanding, prevailed – and such an undertaking reached its culmination in the work accomplished by Jesus in His death on the cross. There, He stripped the devil of the authority he had stolen from man (Colossians 2:15). Hallelujah!

By choosing Abraham, in order to create a holy people from his seed, the Lord was beginning the perfect and complete work of salvation, from which all would benefit: And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel (Exodus 19:6). The Jewish priestly kingdom would be untouchable and invincible by the other nations. It would be proof that serving God is the way. But Israel failed. What a shame!

This serves us as an example. The perfect plan came through Jesus, who achieved the most excellent ministry: But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. (Hebrews 8:6). However, many saved people are not aware of this and make the same mistakes as those who participated in the Old Covenant. They are on the path taken by the Israelites and will have the same fate: they will be sold!

Something that no one should do is to rebel against the Lord´s commandments and heed the temptations the devil sends. The Israelites acted wrongly in the eyes of God, and for this they were sold to Jabin, king of Canaan. The demons defeated by the Savior, to be put under our feet (Romans 16:20), have risen up and overcome the holy people in these days. Why? Because many Christians are not zealous for the good things. 

In those days, Hell had a captain who would not allow the Israelites to rise up to be freed from its power. Using 900 chariots of iron, built to instill fear, Sisera controlled God’s people, who were supposed to be fearless and an example to other nations: And the statutes, the ordinances, the law, and the commandment which He wrote for you, you shall be careful to observe forever; you shall not fear other gods (2 Kings 17:37).

Today, the evil tactic changes according to people’s preference. In some places, the devil uses sensuality to corrupt the saved; in others, he uses the deceitfulness of wealth, the worries of this life, and the desires for other things. Thus, the Word, which is like a fire that consumes and a hammer that crushes the rock, becomes unproductive (Jeremiah 23:29; Mark 4:18,19). Even from pulpits, sexual aberrations have been preached against the marriage bed, which should be without blemish (1 Corinthians 6.13; Hebrews 13.4).

The pastors need to act like the prophet sent to God’s people, when the latter was in the hands of the Midianites for having transgressed (Judges 6:1-10). Many will despair at the return of Jesus, for they will be placed on His left (Matthew 8.21-23; 25.41-46). It is time to reflect, to examine yourself! Those who give themselves over to sin will be sent to the place of sinners (Ezekiel 18:24).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares