The LORD kept dispatching the prophets with admonitions because He had compassion for His people. Judgment would come, but their receptiveness to the word of God would have made an enormous difference in their transition to captivity. But because they were so hard-hearted—had no feelings, insulting, hating and making fun of prophets, the defeat by Babylon was very brutal. Young and old were murdered, and everything of value was taken and they burned the Temple.
Beloved, the harder we make our hearts – the more we refuse to listen, the more we reject or ignore those sent to deliver a moral word, the more devastating the circumstances must be to wake us up and turn us around. They had faced embarrassing defeats during the reign of the last four kings, but none of those defeats caused them to humble themselves before God and turn to Him. There was no cure. God looked for another way, but there was none. You know, often people will ask how God could have allowed a disaster to happen. Well, in many cases, it’s because there was no other solution. Many times, there’s no less alternative that will turn people from the hardness of their hearts or being “hard-headed.”
Beloved, Israel had ignored the law of Sabbath rest for many centuries. Every seventh year they were not supposed to plant, but just let what came up on its own be sufficient for them. If they had ignored this law for 490 years, then the land was due for 70 years of Sabbath rests. That’s exactly what happened. The land had its rest, and the people received their embarrassment. They stopped being hard-headed and changed their hearts. Those who returned were unwilling to accept idol worship and possess a fear of disobeying God. Their spiritual observance moves into the period of restoration. The people were allowed to return and build the temple again. God would prepare them for a great redemption – the coming of the Messiah.
Beloved, continuous rebellion and mockery against the allowed personnel of God will get you a visit from an angry God along with all your infractions well documented, including the major penalty for each one.
Let Us Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, help us turn to You before it’s too late. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen and Aaamen.
Beloved life is very short. It comes and goes like an unannounced gust of wind. None of us know the hour or day when that gust of wind may enter our room and blow out our earthly light. So today, reach out and touch someone you love and tell them you love them, BECAUSE TELLING THEM LATER JUST MIGHT BE – TOO LATE. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Have a fantastic Sunday. 😀
