History repeated in the Ukraine

The above extract from Jeremiah’s book in the Bible needs to be placed in its original context. Jeremiah lived through the events leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and of the LORD’s people there in BC 587. Destruction came through the Babylonian Empire and Jeremiah was required to tell the LORD’s people in advance of the LORD’s coming destruction of them by Babylon.

Who was (and is) the LORD? In English Bibles, wherever the LORD appears in capital letters, the underlying Hebrew word will be YHWH. But this word was so holy to Israel, God’s people, that they avoided writing or speaking it and substituted the word “Lord”. 

More to the point, Jesus of Nazareth, in the whole of the New Testament of the Bible is called “Lord” (in Greek – kurios) and he made it clear that YHWH was his eternal father in heaven.

 

The message of Jeremiah (and the above extract in particular) should therefore be of tremendous concern to Christians – the LORD’s people – in particular. They became a terrifying reality for Israel in BC 587. Immediately following that the few survivors were also able to read these words of Jeemiah and the LORD – in captivity in Babylon - and know their truth and reality, individually. 

What had gone wrong? Why this (apparent) alteration in the character of the LORD towards his own people? The complete book of Jeremiah makes it all abundantly clear.

However, for your information this week, you may be interested to think about the very next statement in Jeremiah’s book after the one above. Here it is.

 

What was happening in Judea (capital city Jerusalem) in the decades leading up to BC 587 was similar to what’s been happening in the Ukraine in the 21st century. Earlier this year two eminent historians (Yuri Felshtinsky and Michael Stanchev) published “Blowing Up Ukraine”. A Professor of History at the European University Institute in Florence commented: “this book by two brave and scrupulous historians will undoubtedly help the reader to comprehend the present, as well as to live in the future.”

“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom...” In seventh century BC Jerusalem wise men forged a devastating alliance (with Assyria) and later reneged on another co-operation agreement (with Babylon). Ukraine leaders have been doing the same for decades, purportedly cultivating one territory after another (like Russia, the EU and NATO) in unwise attempts to succeed.

“…let not the mighty man boast in his might…” In seventh century BC Jerusalem military might was in the hands of much greater powers. Nevertheless, Judea’s leaders trusted in their own apparent security. The LORD was trusted only inasmuch as it was unthinkable that the LORD would allow his temple there to be destroyed, let alone his chosen people – no matter how the LORD’s people lived. This century Ukraine, similarly (and like all countries), has pursued physical and military strength accompanied by ritual trust in Orthodox Churches - the latter only as a facade. Thdey live (as we do) without the LORD.

“…let not the rich man boast in his riches…” In Jerusalem BC 600 the rich held sway over all things, including the courts and successive governments (kings). The result was injustice in law-making and in trade and in society, as well as suffering (for the poor and weak) and social breakdown. The rich had no regard for anyone else. In Ukraine, oligarchs have been behind (and participating in) every elected government of recent times. Sometimes leaders have become oligarchs when in government.