ZECHARIAH 2:7

“‘You, Zion! Escape, you who are living with the daughter of Babylon.’”

Have you ever watched a greased pig chase at a county or state fair? They will slick up the little pigs with some type of oil and then have people (usually children) get in the pen and try to catch one. Those little pigs just slip right out of their hands. They wiggle and squeal and slide away. It is really hilarious to watch. The winner, of course, is the one who can catch the pig and bring it to the one in charge.

Zion, the name by which the children of Israel was called, is being told to escape from Babylon. Danger is approaching. The Lord God is about to deliver judgment on Babylon for the way they have treated them during their exile. The Hebrew word for “escape” literally means to slip away yourself. They needed to decide. They couldn’t stay there.

APPLICATION

I don’t know why but the words to the song by Paul Simon keep going through my mind. “Slip Slidin’ Away” says this in the chorus. “Slip slidin’ away, Slip slidin’ away, You know the nearer your destination the more you’re slip slidin’ away.” Call me weird but things just pop in my head sometimes, especially song lyrics.

We are slip slidin’ away. We, as believers, have escaped the clutches of Satan and are headed toward Jesus. We had to make that decision to slide away. Satan was not going to release us willingly. But the blood of Jesus breaks every chain that binds us. He set us free by His sacrifice so that we could slip slide away, right into His arms.

Unfortunately, some of us are like those greased pigs. Once we are in our Savior’s arms, we wiggle and squirm. We want our “freedom” again to do as we wish. We have to remember that we are safe in His arms. He only wants to comfort and protect us. Will you stop wiggling and allow Jesus to caress you and love you?  

Help me to rest in Your all-powerful hands, O God. I know You will protect and shield me.