The Lord disciplined Israel through the invading enemy. As the author of Hebrews wrote, “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” (Hebrews 12:5-7)
Israel continued in sin. They did not repent. So God disciplined them. They were defeated in battle. They huddled together behind their barricaded stronghold walls. God had rejected and humbled them. He did not fight in their battles. They lost and had to retreat. The emptied villages were plundered. The wealth they took pride in disappeared. They were devoured like wolves kill sheep. Those who could not make it to the stronghold scattered to other nations. The nations considered the once proud Israelites a joke, an example of how a nation fails. Israel was humiliated.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I cannot consider myself immune to temptation’s allure. What is pleasant today brings what is unpleasant tomorrow. When tempted I need to fear the consequences if I engage in sin. Self-discipline is better than being disciplined by God. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) My God is a jealous God. Therefore, self-discipline.
