What does "the breath of our nostrils" signify about reliance on God? Text Under Discussion “The breath of our nostrils, the LORD’s anointed, was captured in their pits—of whom we had said, ‘Under his shadow we will live among the nations.’” (Lamentations 4:20) Historical Snapshot - Jerusalem has fallen to Babylon (586 BC). - The “LORD’s anointed” is King Zedekiah, a descendant of David. - People believed his continued freedom guaranteed their survival; his capture shattered that illusion. Why Call the King “Breath of Our Nostrils”? - Breath is life’s most basic requirement; lose it for moments and life ends. - By that metaphor, the people said, “Our king is as vital to us as oxygen.” - They expected his “shadow” (royal protection) to keep them alive in exile. - When he fell, their “oxygen tank” was ripped away—revealing misplaced trust. Breath: Always God’s Gift - Genesis 2:7 — “the LORD God… breathed the breath of life into his nostrils.” - Job 27:3 — “as long as my breath is still within me and the Spirit of God is in my nostrils.” - Acts 17:25 — God “gives all men life and breath and everything else.” ➔ Only God, not any human leader, sustains every heartbeat and inhale. Human Leaders Fail; God Remains - Psalm 146:3-4 — “Put not your trust in princes… When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground.” - Proverbs 3:5 — “Trust in the LORD with all your heart.” ➔ Leaders can be blessings, but they are never our ultimate life-source. Christ—the True Breath Who Cannot Be Captured - Isaiah 42:1-4 pictures the Servant whom no enemy can ultimately overthrow. - John 20:22 — Jesus “breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” ➔ The risen Messiah gives eternal breath; His life in us is indestructible. Lessons for Our Reliance on God • Examine where you instinctively look for security—finances, government, relationships. • Celebrate God as the Giver who loans every breath and guarantees eternal life in Christ. • Honor earthly authorities, yet keep dependence anchored in the Lord alone. • In crisis, say with Psalm 121:2, “My help comes from the LORD, Maker of heaven and earth.” Takeaway “The breath of our nostrils” exposes how easily we attach life’s hopes to human protectors. Scripture redirects that dependence to the One who first filled our lungs and now sustains us through His Anointed Son—the only Breath no enemy can capture. |
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