Ephraim: A Way Out

Synopsis     2Chron 28:6-14     4/30/2020 

Because of his wickedness, King Ahaz suffered a string of defeats. First, the Arameans defeated him and plundered the nation. After this, the northern kingdom of Israel defeated him. They not only plundered the land, but they also took over two-hundred thousand women from the southern kingdom. The women were marched to Samaria, the capital city.  

But a Godly prophet lived there and heard about the captured women. His name was Oded. And so, Oded approached the leaders of Ephraim at Samaria. He reminded them that the women were from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. In other words, they were near relatives.  

And so, he warned them that if they kept the women as slaves, they would bring guilt on the nation. What’s more, if they didn’t repent, God would punish them.  

The leaders considered Oded’s prophecy. And so, they decided to return the women.  

Ephraim: A Way Out 

“To the victor goes the spoils”. This ancient adage has been the mantra of military battle since the beginning of history. In fact, despoiling the vanquished has been a traditional motivation for the masses to support war. In other words, soldiers who win in battle have been allowed to despoil the losers, both alive and dead, of all their possessions. This tradition continued well into the nineteenth century. 

The Ephraimites who invaded Judah found the land already despoiled by the Arameans. So, having nothing else to take, they took the women of Judah and Benjamin. They felt justified making them slaves as spoils of war.  

But the prophet Oded brought them to a clearer sense of how wrong they were. God sent him with a prophecy in order to give them the opportunity to repent. And to their credit, they did.  

Never Beyond Repentance 

I am a sinner. Actually, I am a great sinner. In fact, I am the greatest sinner I will ever know.  

My sins are so great, I sometimes wonder why God has even preserved my life. I know that it isn’t because of anything I have done.  

Instead, it is because God still sees potential. When I feel desperate, I remember that as long as I have breath, God has provided a way of repentance. 

He has forgiven. 

He will forgive. 

And, He has provided. So, there is always a way of repentance.  

“The beginning of wisdom is fear of the LORD, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Prov 9:10