Today's Scripture Reading (May 16, 2020): Ezekiel 21
The
television series "The Last Kingdom" tells the violent tale of life
in 9th Century England. At this point in history, The land is
divided and the Viking Danes seem to reign through most of the countryside as Kingdom
after Kingdom falls to the Danish sword. Alfred the Great tries to hold on to
his Kingdom of Wessex, and to his idea of a Christian nation, against what seems
at times to be insurmountable odds. Supporting him in his effort is a fictional
warrior, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who styles himself in every episode as Uhtred, son
of Uhtred. One of these men holds the scepter (Alfred the Great) while the
other holds the sword (Uhtred of Bebbanburg). Alfred's scepter signifies his
moral right to rule, even if the Danes do not accept that right. But the
scepter must be supported by the sword, and that makes Alfred's relationship
with Uhtred of prime importance. It is still that way today. Palace coups take
place because the two become separated, and the moral right to rule begins to be
doubted. A king never carries his scepter into battle. For battle, he always wears
his sword.
God tells Ezekiel
to prophesy that a sword is coming to Jerusalem. And its coming would not be a
gentle event. The sword was sharpened for slaughter, the choice of words here
is fitting because Ezekiel's message intends that Jerusalem was going to suffer
a fate similar to that of the domestic animals that were killed in the city
every year. And when the sword came, the scepter would be of no defense.
Once again,
the sword belonged to Babylon, and the scepter to Zedekiah, the last King of
Judah. Zedekiah had received his moral right to rule from Babylon, and not from
God. Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon echoed the story of Judah's rebellion
against God. Because of that rebellion, all moral authority, both the authority
of Babylon and that of God had been removed from the King's scepter. What was
left was just a stylized piece of wood.
And so, the
day was coming soon when the metal sword, polished and sharpened for battle,
would come into contact with a wooden scepter that had been separated from its
moral authority. And when that happened, the truth would be revealed. The sword
would snap the scepter because, without its moral authority, the scepter was
nothing more than a stick.
Tomorrow's Scripture
Reading: Ezekiel 22
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