Topical Bible: Afflictions Made Beneficial: Israel

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The history of Israel, as recorded in the Bible, is replete with instances where afflictions served a divine purpose, ultimately leading to spiritual growth, repentance, and a deeper relationship with God. These afflictions, while often severe, were used by God to discipline, refine, and guide His chosen people.

Egyptian Bondage

One of the earliest and most significant afflictions faced by the Israelites was their bondage in Egypt. This period of suffering is detailed in the book of Exodus. The Israelites were subjected to harsh slavery under Pharaoh, which led them to cry out to God for deliverance. In Exodus 3:7-8 , the Lord says, "I have surely seen the affliction of My people in Egypt, and I have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sufferings. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians." This affliction ultimately resulted in the Exodus, a foundational event that established Israel as a nation under God's covenant.

Wilderness Wanderings

Following their deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites faced a series of trials during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. These afflictions were a direct result of their disobedience and lack of faith, as seen in Numbers 14:33-34 : "Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years and suffer for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness." Despite the hardships, these years were also a time of divine provision and instruction, as God provided manna, water, and guidance through the pillar of cloud and fire.

Babylonian Exile

The Babylonian Exile was another period of significant affliction for Israel. Due to persistent idolatry and disobedience, God allowed the Babylonians to conquer Jerusalem and carry the people into exile. Jeremiah 29:10-11 offers a message of hope amidst this affliction: "For this is what the LORD says: 'When seventy years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.'" The exile served as a period of purification and a catalyst for the Israelites to return to the worship of Yahweh alone.

Post-Exilic Period

After the return from exile, the Israelites faced the challenge of rebuilding their temple and re-establishing their community. The afflictions during this period, including opposition from surrounding peoples, are recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. These challenges strengthened the resolve of the Israelites to adhere to the Law and renew their covenant with God. Nehemiah 9:33 reflects on this period: "In all that has happened to us, You have remained righteous; You have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly."

Lessons from Afflictions

Throughout these periods of affliction, several key themes emerge. First, afflictions often served as a means of divine discipline, intended to bring the Israelites back to a right relationship with God. Hebrews 12:6 echoes this principle: "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives."

Second, afflictions were used to demonstrate God's faithfulness and sovereignty. Despite the severity of their trials, God consistently provided a way of deliverance and restoration for His people. This is evident in the cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance seen throughout the Old Testament.

Finally, the afflictions of Israel serve as a testament to the enduring hope and future promise that God offers to His people. Even in the darkest times, God's plans for Israel were ultimately for their good and His glory, as seen in the prophetic promises of restoration and the coming of the Messiah.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 8:3,5
And he humbled you, and suffered you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD does man live.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... The cause from whence these afflictions arise is known to be ... after God, or the Spirit;
hence they are called 'the Israel of God,' because they are made so of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

"The Pharaoh Drew Nigh"
... at his command, but the smallest part would be beneficial. ... Thou hast made a weapon
of thy wits and ... of the Pharaoh availed him aught against these afflictions? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliii the pharaoh drew.htm

The General Service to a Nun.
... the Theotokion: Held down by afflictions we entreat thee ... device for rest, having
by fasting made thy spirit ... guided the souls unto the beneficial exertions in ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxii the general service.htm

Prosperity under Persecution
... Persecution has a further beneficial use in the church of ... It is a great blessing
to be made to walk ... Rejoice, therefore, in your afflictions, if so be you have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/prosperity under persecution.htm

Ephesians iii. 11-Aug
... because it was by Christ that every thing was made. ... that no man be moved by these
afflictions." (1 Thessalonians 3 ... indeed is this; nothing is so beneficial to us ...
/.../homily vii ephesians iii 11-aug.htm

The Solar Eclipse
... of governing the earth, and have some beneficial object in ... He was pure when he was
made by God ... of God's government, and that our temporal afflictions, and our ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the solar eclipse.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... of the Most High, may yet be made a brightness ... and make them able to bear afflictions,
and even ... must bear it, because the result was so exceedingly beneficial. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm

What are the Clouds?
... for he broke down the aristocracy and made all monarchs ... well as everything else,
will have a beneficial tendency ... not know how to support my afflictions from day ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/what are the clouds.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... 408; Jews knew righteousness prevailed in Israel, [969]435 ... unjust, parable of,
[1429]412; man made, of his ... Judgment, the last, proved by the afflictions of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

Of Civil Government.
... and hurt; but to avenge the afflictions of the ... by leagues, the alliances which are
made by neighbouring ... the laws which it judges to be beneficial, still these ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm