“And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends.” Job 42:10
Dear Ones:
What does the word “captive” mean? It certainly carries with it the thought of being forced to submit one’s will to another. In the worst possible scenario it means being the prisoner of someone, held against one’s will, and exposed to terrible retribution if there is not obedience. There comes with this concept the thought of helplessness, limitations, obligations against one’s nature and choice, but also, an overriding power, or authority that keeps the captive bound in one way or another. In Isaiah’s great book, he writes of captivity in several places, providing graphic illustrations of its control and consequences. He also writes of a hope, one so powerful and extraordinary, so singular in its beauty and effectiveness, that it must be clearly understood. In referring to the Messiah’s ministry, he writes: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” (61:1) He goes on to declare that this message of emancipation, primarily spiritual, is for today, in the present moment: “To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (v.2) The Apostle Paul would add: “…I have heard thee in a time acceptable, and in the day of salvation have I helped thee: behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2) What are Isaiah and Paul saying about this matter of being a captive? Isaiah is declaring that the message from the throne of God. It is a powerful message of liberty, emancipation and freedom, from the tyranny of sin, self, Satan, and the world. Paul is declaring that this message is applicable for today, in the present moment. The promise of liberty, and the power of God, are present and available for the soul who will truly trust in the intervention of God by His Spirit, according to the truth.
There are several illustrations in Scripture, which reveal the reality of captivity, and God’s answer to it. In considering the man Job, we find that he was “captive.” Satan had a part in this, as Job was afflicted with illness, deprived of all his possessions, lastly to know the loss of all his children. His wife and friends could not help him, as they were helpless to lift him up, heal and comfort him. However, God in His sovereignty, intervened. He permitted Job to know this “captivity” in order to teach him of wonder of God, and this, not only by what he had heard, but by that which he now saw of the glory of God. God would turn his captivity.
The second illustration that needs to be considered is that of Joseph. Scripture tells us that he was sold into slavery by his brothers because they hated him. This would occur when he was about seventeen years old. For thirteen years he was a prisoner in one form or another in Egypt, cut off from his family, and any hope of returning to them. There in his captivity, God met him. He became faithful and wise, seizing the opportunity to serve to the best of his ability, either in the affluence of Potiphar’s house, or in prison. While he was in prison, he learned perhaps the greatest lesson of his life, that of waiting entirely upon God to deliver him, and also to accomplish His purpose in his life. God brought him out of prison, made him powerful in Egypt, and blessed him, all in one day.
The illustration of the captivity of Israel seems to be a regular experience, the worst being that of being deported to Babylon. However, even there, after seventy years, God would “return,” intervene, and bring the people back to the land of promise. He would deliver them from their captivity by the TRUTH, the authority of His word.
Dear Father, Set us free from all idols, and foes, to love Thee. Dear Son of God, set us free today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad