There was another man who prophesied in the name of the LORD, Uriah the son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land in words like those of Jeremiah. And when King Jehoiakim, with all his warriors and all the officials, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah heard of it, he was afraid and fled and escaped to Egypt. – Jeremiah 26:20-21
I was just randomly reading earlier and came across this
passage where the people of Jerusalem began to get rather hostile about all of
Jeremiah’s negativity. There was an
outcry against the prophets, and Jeremiah was not the only one who was
threatened. I think there is a lesson
for us here: Don’t go back to Egypt.
Uriah’s escape attempt ends unhappily (vv 22-23): Then
King Jehoiakim sent to Egypt certain men, Elnathan the son of Achbor and others
with him, and they took Uriah from Egypt and brought him to King Jehoiakim, who
struck him down with the sword and dumped his dead body into the burial place
of the common people. In biblical types,
Egypt generally stands in for the world system.
Thus the threatened prophet’s flight into that nation could be
interpreted as a warning to those who would resort to carnal means to defend
themselves.
As we read through the narrative of the Apostle Paul’s
adventures in the Book of Acts, we see that he occasionally used his Roman
citizenship and the laws of the empire to his advantage. When he was arrested by Roman soldiers
quelling a riot caused by his presence, the Apostle advised the centurion of
his Roman citizenship to forestall being “examined
by flogging” (Acts 22:23). He was
shipped out to Rome after his prolonged imprisonment by the governors of
Palestine because he appealed his case to Caesar, as was his right as a citizen
(Acts 25). Yet this same Paul states
that “ … the weapons of our warfare are
not of the flesh …” (2 Corinthians 10:4) and that “… we do not wrestle against flesh and blood …” (Ephesians 6:12).
We should always be careful about resorting to worldly and
carnal means. As Uriah found out, the
world’s system is no protection against the world’s animosity. We know that God uses doctors to heal, police
officers to protect, lawyers to defend, and judges to decree justice –
sometimes, but the kingdom is not ruled by such. Again, we have the familiar words of Jesus to
guide us, Seek first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness … (Matthew 6:33).
Our only true protection and security is to be in Christ, clothed in the
whole armor of God and protected by the shield of faith.
The Rabshakeh was trying to instill fear in the hearts of the
men of Judah and Jerusalem, but even the devil will tell the truth when it
suits his case: Behold, you are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which
will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt
to all who trust in him (Isaiah 36:6).
Far better to say with a shepherd boy … the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's
… (1 Samuel 17:47).
3 comments:
...the Apostle advised the centurion of his Roman citizenship to forestall being “examined by flogging” (Acts 22:23).
He was just being prudent there, Paul was no dummy.
Paul was also able to write more letters by opting to be a prisoner of Rome, so in that sense he was using wordly powers for good, although he was still in apretty bad prison.
Uriah apparently had no ulterior motive other than hiding. Although not to be too harsh, I can understand his initial fears. Unfortunately, he didn't stop to ask for God's guidance before running off to Egypt.
I agree, I'm not criticizing Uriah. It's just the type.
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