Julie
I think this is just more detail about how God is handling Israel and the people. I am not really sure that I understand the significance of the sword.
The Lord is our protector and will deliver us from our enemies. He will be our fortress is difficult times and always shows us h is steadfast love.
Michelle
I didn't understand the sword reference either. It just seemed to be saying that he was using the sword to destroy everyone and everything that is sinful or detestable in God's eyes. It went on to talk about this in great detail. The devotional with this chapter is very thought provoking. It is called the Hard Truth and speaks of why we must have or endure pain and suffering from God. That while "it may seem easier to focus on the nice passages in the bible, it is important to understand the passages about God's anger, vengeance, and jealousy as it speaks to who God is. God hates anything and everything that destroys the people and the world he created. He is jealous of anything that breaks his covenant of love with his people. God loves what he created, and he will pour out his righteous wrath as a reflection of that love." It says to read that last line again really taking it in. "Sin alters the created order so significantly that it leads to the sickness, disease, sadness, stress and fatigue that we experience." As we have read, God uses pain and suffering to draw the people closer to him, and that is what he does with us as well. It is our opportunity to reconnect and draw closer to God.
Verse 16 stood out to me as well. "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble."
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