Captivity And Freedom

Therefore, this is what the LORD says: Since you have not obeyed me by setting your countrymen free, I will set you free to be destroyed by war, disease, and famine. You will be an object of horror to all the nations of the earth. [Jeremiah 34.17]

As I looked back today on other posts regarding this same scripture reference, I saw that there was a variety of ideas that could be developed from this passage.

Today, I see that the captivity to God His people enjoy is really protection.

In western culture (particularly US culture), freedom is seen as the absence of all restraint. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.

I am reminded of an old Bob Dylan song whose chorus went like this:

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You’re gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

If God "frees us" from His care, we have war, disease and famine to look forward to. This physical, material and emotional loss is all described in great detail on Deuteronomy 28.15-68.

A lamb confined in a sheepfold (pen) is captive. His captivity is his safety. To open the gate and free the lamb is certain death to the helpless creature.

True freedom then is not the absence of restraint, but rather, restraint that protects its captives. This brings understanding to the following declaration of Jesus:

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. [John 8.36]

Isn't it true that whomever redeems us from captivity becomes our new captor? And, if our Captor bore a Cross and told us we must do likewise, are we not compelled then to do so?

Freedom from sin is captivity to the Savior.

Freedom from the Savior is captivity to sin.

The Apostle Paul said it well to the Church in Rome:

Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. [Romans 6.16]

...you’re gonna have to serve somebody...

Father, help me to meditate further on this thought today. Help me to have a right understanding and attitude about captivity and freedom.