Slices
Prepare
Take a look outside your window. Now turn your gaze to the One who made what you saw – rain, sun, moon, stars, birds, trees, building materials… he made them all.
Bible passage
The Lord’s devastation of the earth
24 See, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth
and devastate it;
he will ruin its face
and scatter its inhabitants –
2 it will be the same
for priest as for people,
for the master as for his servant,
for the mistress as for her servant,
for seller as for buyer,
for borrower as for lender,
for debtor as for creditor.
3 The earth will be completely laid waste
and totally plundered.
The Lord has spoken this word.
4 The earth dries up and withers,
the world languishes and withers,
the heavens languish with the earth.
5 The earth is defiled by its people;
they have disobeyed the laws,
violated the statutes
and broken the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore a curse consumes the earth;
its people must bear their guilt.
Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up,
and very few are left.
7 The new wine dries up and the vine withers;
all the merrymakers groan.
8 The joyful tambourines are stilled,
the noise of the revellers has stopped,
the joyful harp is silent.
9 No longer do they drink wine with a song;
the beer is bitter to its drinkers.
10 The ruined city lies desolate;
the entrance to every house is barred.
11 In the streets they cry out for wine;
all joy turns to gloom,
all joyful sounds are banished from the earth.
12 The city is left in ruins,
its gate is battered to pieces.
13 So will it be on the earth
and among the nations,
as when an olive tree is beaten,
or as when gleanings are left after the grape harvest.
Explore
There is lots of bad news in today’s prophecy. And this time it is not a warning to a particular nation, but to the whole world.
We can see much of this devastation unfolding before our eyes as we look around the world – droughts and floods, forest fires and crop failures, natural disasters and man-made deforestation. There is much concern for the environment, and we are urged to do our bit by reducing our consumption of energy and resources, but this passage lifts the curtain to show us the rest of the story.
The destruction of the earth is a consequence of humanity’s sin, not just in direct ways like our greed and selfishness, but in general. Verses 5 and 6 make it clear that the earth’s defilement is a result of humanity breaking the covenant we have with God. And this curse is brought about by his hand, under his control (v 1).
This doesn’t mean that we can treat creation irresponsibly, but our biggest problem will not be solved by recycling more or driving less. Our biggest problem is sin, and passages like this should cause us to recognise that and repent.
Respond
Pray: ‘Lord, I see the effects of the curse of sin all around me. Help me to recognise them for what they are and to respond in the way in which you call me. Amen.’
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Numbers 30,31; Acts 23
Pray for Scripture Union
Through their Manifesto for 21st Century Youthwork, Mission Partner Prayers Thrive Youth Ministries work with churches across Warwickshire and Coventry, helping them to rethink how they can reach and disciple young people. Pray for more adults to volunteer and commit to this work.
