When you read the acts of the Israelites it isn't hard to believe why God wanted them out of His sight (2 Kings 17:18). Performing such abominations as child sacrifice and worshiping other gods, the Israelites were taken captive by the Assyrians. Was God giving up on them because of their sins? The answer is a shocking NO! God's desire was for the Israelites to turn back to Him; it was His desire all along. That's why Christ was there "in the beginning" (John 1). The plan was for Jesus to ransom Israel, and in the process to ransom us. I am reminded by the rich words of the traditional hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. This study of the history of Israel brings these words to life:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Israel needed a Savior just like we need one. Their situation was desperate just as ours is. How amazing it is that God looked at our helpless state and gave His Son as our ransom!
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