Tag: discipline

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1 Corinthians Devotionals

Judgment and discipline

1 Corinthians

One of the problems in the Corinthian church was that while they were supposedly remembering the Lord and his sacrifice on the cross through communion, at the very same time they were despising his body.

That is, they were despising the poor Christians in their church. As a result, some were being judged by the Lord, some getting sick, others even dying. (1 Corinthians 11:22, 30)

It was a very severe judgment they received, and so Paul warns the church, “Search your hearts before you take communion so that you can avoid such judgment.” (1 Corinthians 11:28, 31)

God’s discipline can be severe. But it would be good for us to remember something important: the judgment we receive from the Lord is different from the judgment unbelievers receive from the Lord.

Paul says,

but when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:32)

No discipline we receive from the Lord, no matter how severe, leads to eternal death. In that sense, we do not need to fear the Lord’s wrath.

Still, make no mistake: God does not take sin lightly. Neither should we. When we do, his discipline can be quite painful. In that sense, we very much do need to fear the Lord.

God loves us, but that does not mean we can escape his discipline. So remember the words of the writer of Hebrews.

My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly
or lose heart when you are reproved by him,
for the Lord disciplines the one he loves
and punishes every son he receives. (Hebrews 12:5-6)

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Genesis Devotions

God’s discipline

Genesis

This is truly a fascinating chapter when you think about it.

For in it, you see Joseph being confronted with his past hurts.

He sees his “honest” brothers (verse 11) for the first time in 20 years. (“Honest? Did you tell Father the truth about me?”)

He is confronted with how they sold him into slavery. “One of our brothers is no longer living.” (Genesis 42:13)

Then you have his brothers. God confronts them with the guilt that they have tried to bury for years. “Obviously, we are being punished for what we did to our brother.” (21)

And finally Jacob. Ever since Joseph disappeared, his life has basically stopped because of his grief. And he is probably wondering where God is in all his pain.

“Joseph is gone, and Simeon is gone. Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything happens to me!” (36)

Often times we confront pain in our lives.

Sometimes it’s things people have done to us.

Sometimes it’s the consequences of our own guilt.

And so we wonder, “Does God really hate me that much?”

And yet, God does not confront us with our pain to make us suffer. He does it to bring about our healing and salvation.

For Joseph, he finds out for the first time that Reuben was not involved in selling him. That he in fact had defended Joseph.

More, Joseph finds out his brothers were not as callous as he had thought. That all these years they had been wracked with guilt for what they had done to him. (21-22)

All that, I think, helped him to forgive.

For his brothers, they thought they were seeing God’s judgment. (21, 28)

In reality, they were seeing his salvation.

And for Jacob, though God had been silent during those 20 years of pain without Joseph, he would soon find out that God had been working for his good all along.

So let us remember the words of exhortation from the author of Hebrews:

“…we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them.

Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?

For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness.

No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead.” (Hebrews 12:9-13)

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Mark Devotionals

Because God loves us

Mark

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.

As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”

Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. (Mark 1:9-13)

It always strikes me that just one sentence after we see the Father saying to Jesus, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased,” it says the Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan.

Sometimes we think, “Though God loves us, he sometimes lets us go through deserts.”

But the thought that came to me today was this: “Because God loves us, he sometimes drives us into the deserts.”

Why?

I think we see the answer in Hebrews 12:6-7.

for the Lord disciplines the one he loves
and punishes every son he receives.,

Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?

Even Jesus, who never sinned, experienced the Father’s discipline. And we see it here in Mark. But why did Jesus have to undergo discipline if he never sinned? 

That answer is also in Hebrews.

Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.

After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him... (Hebrews 5:8-9)

As a man, Jesus had to learn obedience just like we do. And obedience is tested not in the easy times, but in the difficult.

It’s easy to obey God when all is going well. It’s hard to obey God when we’re going through a desert. Through his time in the desert, Jesus learned obedience. It was an obedience that would be tested again in Gethsemane. (Mark 14:36-40)

But now, because Jesus has learned obedience, the writer of Hebrews says,

For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

So don’t get discouraged when you go through deserts. God doesn’t drive you there because he hates you. He does it because he loves you.

Just as he disciplined Jesus, he disciplines us. Not to destroy us. But for our good. (Hebrews 12:10-11)

And if you’re struggling through a desert right now, know that Jesus understands you. Because he has experienced the Father’s discipline too.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

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Proverbs Devotionals

Speak to me

O Lord, speak to me.

To fear you is the foundation of all knowledge. So let me never despise your wisdom and your discipline. (Proverbs 1:7)

Instead, when you discipline me, give me a humble spirit to receive that discipline. Give me a heart that responds to your warnings.

And as I turn my face to you, pour your spirit on me and teach me your words. (23)

Give me understanding of the things I read in your Word so that I can understand what you’re saying to me.

There’s so much I still don’t know. I desperately need your wisdom and guidance to live this life. (2-6)

So speak to me, Lord. Speak to me.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Hebrews

When we face trials

Hebrews

No one likes to face trials in life. But God does allow them. Why? The writer of Hebrews tells us in verse 10.

God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. (Hebrews 12:10)

We are broken people in a broken world. But God’s goal is to heal us and make us into the whole people he created us to be.

He desires to purge all the filth from our lives and make us holy as he is holy. To make us perfect reflections of him.

And he does so by fire. Our character is revealed by fire. What we really are is revealed, not during the good times, but during the bad.

If our character is good, trials will reveal it, just as they did with Job. If our character is not, that will be revealed too as it was with King Saul.

But in facing ourselves for who we really are, we are then confronted us with a choice. To stay the way we are, unholy and sinful. Or to turn to God and cry out, “God I’m a wretch. Save me. Change me.”

And when we do, we will see not only God’s amazing grace, but God’s amazing transforming power.

As we listen to him and by faith obey him, doing the things he tells us to do, we’ll see him shape our character into his likeness.

Is it a pleasant process? Generally not. The writer of Hebrews tells us,

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (11)

The question is again, though, what will we do when we are in the fire?

What should we do?

First look to Jesus.

Look to him in faith knowing that he started the process of salvation in your life, and he will finish it.

He hasn’t merely said, “Well, I’ve given you all the tools to change. You’re on your own now.”

Rather he says, “Let me show you how to use those tools.”

And step by step he works with us. And he will not leave our side until the job is complete.

Look to Jesus knowing that he endured hardship too. He endured the cross itself. He knows how hard life can be. But his trust in the Father was rewarded, and he is now sitting at the Father’s side.

Our trust too will be rewarded, and we will be seated with him in glory someday if we persevere.

Second, remember that all that you’re suffering through is not because God hates you or is because he is sadistic, wanting you to suffer. Rather, he disciplines you because he loves you. He wants the very best for you.

Our earthly fathers may or may not have shown the loving discipline they should have. Their motives or methods may have been wrong at times. But God’s motives and methods are always pure and loving.

Therefore.

Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. (12)

Or, as my sister likes to say, “Buck up, baby.”

And,

Make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (verse 13 from the ESV)

In other words, do what is right. Follow the path God has shown you.

You’re already lame. You’re already hurting. And if you keep following the path you’re on, your bones will go out of joint.

But if you follow the path God is showing you, you will find healing. It may be hard. It may be unpleasant. But you will find healing.

What will you do?

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2 Thessalonians

When we discipline a brother or sister

2 Thessalonians

It’s never pleasant to confront a brother or sister in Christ. Anyone who thinks it is should probably be the last person to do so. Still, there are times when it is necessary.

And here Paul gives us some insight on how it should be done. As we saw yesterday, there were some in the church who were idlers and refused to work even though they were healthy enough to do so.

When Paul was there, he had warned them, and in his first letter to the Thessalonians, he had again admonished them to work. But still they continued in their laziness. So now Paul says,

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

Pretty strong words. I think one thing Paul meant by this was that the Thessalonians were not to give these idlers any “help” whenever they asked for food or money.

But more, Paul later tells the Thessalonians to put these people out of the church entirely that they may feel the shame of their sin (14).

Still, there are two other things to note. One was that the Thessalonians were to watch themselves, that they would not be influenced by the laziness of these brothers and sisters. And it was probably for that reason that Paul told them,

And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. (13)

But the other thing to note is the manner in which we are to warn the straying brother or sister. Paul said,

Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (15)

It should not be with hatred that we deal with such people, but with the love of God. Our goal should not be to destroy them, but to restore them.

Are there brothers or sisters you know that are straying from God and his ways? What are you doing about it?

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1 Corinthians

Though the Lord disciplines you

1 Corinthians

Before I go on to chapter 12, there is one last point I wanted to touch on. Paul writes in verse 32,

When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:32)

Sometimes we sin, and God brings his discipline into our lives. And because it’s painful, we start to think that God must hate us now. That he’s given up on us.

But Paul says here that is not the case at all. He tells us that when the Lord disciplines us, he does it so that we will not be condemned with the world.

In other words, he does it to lead us away from the path of destruction the world is going down.

We saw an example of this earlier in chapter 5 where Paul told the Corinthians concerning the unrepentant brother,

Hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 5:5)

Again, the point of discipline was not to destroy the man, but to save him.

So remember that when God brings discipline in your life, it’s not because he hates you. It’s not because he sees you as his enemy.

When you actually were his enemy, he sent his Son to die for you. And if he reconciled you to himself when you were his enemy, how much more will he work to reconcile you to himself now that you are his child? (Romans 5:6-11)

Are you going through God’s discipline now because of your sin? Take heart. God still loves you. He hasn’t given up on you.

So though you may feel the sting of his discipline, remember the words of the writer of Hebrews.

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”…

We have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:5-11)

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Proverbs

A good name

How do others see you?  It’s an issue that Proverbs brings up more than once.  We saw this in chapter 10, and we see it again here.  Solomon writes,

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.  (Proverbs 22:1)

And in this chapter, we see more ways to maintain a good name.

Solomon writes,

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.  (3)

It always amazes me that in Hawaii, there are always people who, when they hear a tsunami may be coming, rush to the beach to see it. (I actually have a friend that sheepishly admitted to doing this.) 

Up to this point, fortunately, the tsunami always fizzles out before actually arriving, but the time may come when people will pay for their stupidity with their lives.

But so many people fail to see other dangers in their lives.  Solomon notes that,

In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them.  (Proverbs 22:5)

How many people fail to see how their sin is leading them to the destruction of their marriage, or their health, or to their relationships? 

As a result, they keep living the way they are, and not only suffer pain for it, but suffer a blow to their reputation as well. 

But a wise person sees potential danger to all these things and takes measures to avoid it.

Solomon also adds,

Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life. (4)

When we fear the Lord, it does bring us a good name.  This doesn’t mean, however, that everyone will like us.  And as I mentioned in my last blog, it doesn’t mean that we will avoid persecution. 

Jesus was the perfect Son of God.  Yet, while he lived on this earth, there were still people who hated him and eventually put him to death. 

But in general, if we fear God, we will prosper in this life and earn a good name.

Another thing to remember is that if we fail to raise our children right, they can become a stain to our reputation as well.  Solomon wrote,

A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him. (Proverbs 17:25)

and

A foolish son is his father’s ruin… (Proverbs 19:13)

So Solomon admonishes us,

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.  (Proverbs 22:6)

And again,

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.  (Proverbs 22:15)

Solomon then points out the importance of being generous (Proverbs 22:9), of having a pure heart, and speech that is gracious  (11). 

Of avoiding laziness (13)  and adultery (14). 

Of being careful about who we hang out with (24-25). 

Of being careful with our finances (26-27). 

Of being honest (28). 

And of being skilled at what you do (29).

All these things lead to a person becoming favored in the eyes of God and men.  A person like Jesus (Luke 2:52).

How about you?  What kind of name are you building?

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Proverbs

Disciplining our children

We’ve often heard the proverb, “Spare the rod, spoil the child.”  This isn’t a direct quote from the Bible, but the idea is certainly repeated fairly often.

In Proverbs 13:24, it says,

He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Sometimes, people say, “I love my child too much.  I can’t punish them when they do something wrong.  It kills me to see the pain they go through when I punish them.”

But what Solomon makes very clear is that it’s the person who hates their child who refuses to discipline them.  Why?

We see the answer in his other proverbs.

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.  (Proverbs 19:18)

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.  (Proverbs 22:15)

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.  Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.  (Proverbs 23:13-14)

The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.  (Proverbs 29:15)

In short, children don’t know everything.  And they will do foolish things that will not only hurt others, but hurt themselves as well.

Not only will they do things that can hurt them, they’ll do things that can also kill them.

All you have to do to see the truth of that is think about what could happen if you don’t train your child not to run out onto the street.

If you have a child trained to respond immediately when you say, “Stop,” it can save their life if a car is about to hit them.

If on the other hand, they have never learned to obey their parents voice, they’ll continue out on to the street, and it will cost them their life.

Punishing your child can be painful, both for them, and for us.  I don’t like disciplining our daughter.  But I do it for her good.

I’m not saying you have to spank your child, although I’m not against it.

In our house, we use a time out system.  We used it quite a bit when my daughter was 2 and 3 years old.  Now, she’s a lot better about obeying us, and we haven’t had to use it in quite some time.

Hopefully, we won’t have to ever use it again, although I’m not counting on it.

How about you?  Do you love your children enough to discipline them?

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Proverbs

Love and faithfulness

Love and faithfulness.  Two things that are sorely lacking in this world.  It’s the reason why relationships, and particularly marriages fall apart in this world.

Solomon writes in verses 3-4,

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)

What does love and faithfulness towards God mean?  A lot of it has to do with trusting him enough to obey him.  To be so sure of God’s love for you, that you trust him implicitly, and show it by the way that you live.

Solomon expounds on this in verses 5-7,

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

When we love God, we put our complete trust in him.  In all that we do, wherever we are, we acknowledge that he is the center of our lives, not ourselves.  And we lean on his wisdom and not our own understanding.

That’s hard sometimes.  Let’s be honest.  It’s hard a lot of times.

One area that is especially hard is in the area of finances.  Solomon writes,

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.  (9-10)

Whether you believe in tithing or not, one thing is crystal clear.  Your money is NOT your own. 

Jesus Christ bought you with a price.  And if we are to honor God with our body (I Corinthians 6:19-20), how much more should we honor God with our wealth?

Often times, people that object to the practice of tithing are people that object because deep down, they’re saying, “It’s my money.  I have a right to do with it what I want.”

I would agree that 10% of your money doesn’t belong to God.  Actually 100% of your money belongs to God.  You are merely a manager of the money that God has given you.

So whether you tithe or not, you should be asking, “God, how do YOU want me to use this money?  It’s yours.  How should I use it?”

We are also to submit ourselves to God’s discipline.  Solomon writes,

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.  (11-12)

Sometimes as we read his Word, or as we listen to the Sunday message, we hear things that are hard.  The Holy Spirit rebukes us for something in our lives. 

The way we treat our wives or children.  The way we use our finances.  The way we act at work. 

And it’s painful.  We want to close our ears to it.  But if we truly love God, we will submit ourselves to him, leaning not on our own understanding and following our own ways, but following his.

And God says when we do, we’ll find life and peace (16-18).  And if we cling to his wisdom, fearing him, then we’ll have no need to fear anything else (21-26).

But not only are we to show love and faithfulness to God, but to each other. 

Solomon says that we are not to withhold good from others when we have the power to act.  In other words, whenever you have opportunity to do good, whether at home or work or wherever you are, do it.  Don’t wait.

Solomon also says not to act treacherously against your neighbor either, for God is watching, and he is against such people.

Solomon concludes the chapter by saying,

He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.  The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.  (34-35)

When we mock God’s wisdom, and hold to our own ways, he will let us reap what we sow.  What do we reap?  Sorrow, shame, and ultimately death. 

But God gives grace, honor, life, and peace to those who humble themselves, submit themselves to his discipline, and follow him in all his ways.

What will you do? 

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Psalms

The God who judges, the God who disciplines

Psalms

Judgment and discipline.  I think a lot of times we get confused about which God is doing in our lives, particularly when bad things happen to us.  It’s easy to think, “God must be judging and punishing me for what I did.”

But is that how God thinks?

I think in Psalm 94, we see a distinction between the two.  Judgment comes for those who have rejected God, while discipline comes to those who are His own.

In the beginning of this psalm, the psalmist cries out for God’s judgment to come upon the wicked, saying,

Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.

How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?  (Psalm 94:2-3)

He then talks about all the evil they committed, and how in their hearts, they say, “God doesn’t see all that I’m doing.”

And the psalmist rebukes them saying,

Take notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?

Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?  Does he who formed the eye not see?

Does he who disciplines nations not punish?  Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?

The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.  (8-11)

He concludes the psalm by saying of them,

He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness;the Lord our God will destroy them.  (23)

But what of those whom God calls his children?  How does he deal with their sin?  The psalmist writes,

Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.

For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.  (12-14)

I think there are two things we learn about God’s discipline here.

First, it’s meant for our good.  God disciplines us to save us from trouble, not bring us into it.

Second, no matter how much we fail, God will never reject us.  He will never disown us as his children.

More than that, he will stand for us.  The psalmist writes,

Who will rise up for me against the wicked?  Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.  (16-19)

In other words, while the wicked would attack us and accuse us, God will stand up for us.  When Satan himself comes to condemn us, God defends us.  And so the psalmist writes,

The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.

But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.  (21-22)

So as God’s children, let us never mistake God’s judgment for his discipline.

When we sin, God will bring discipline into our lives.  But it’s to help us, not to harm us.  It’s to save us, not to destroy us.

And remember that no matter how much we fall, he will never leave us nor forsake us.

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Jeremiah

Judgment and discipline

Jeremiah

It was at this time in history that Nebuchadnezzar was really rattling the cages of the nations around.  He had already rattled the cage of Judah, and now he was rattling the cage of Egypt.

In these two passages, we see the judgment God was bringing on two nations, Egypt and the Philistia.  God would use Egypt to crush Philistia, while he would use Babylon to crush Egypt. 

It’s the pattern God has used throughout history.

But sandwiched in between these two proclamations of judgment, God speaks to Judah, saying,

“Do not fear, O Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, O Israel.  I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. 

Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid.  

Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, for I am with you,” declares the Lord. 

“Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you.  I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”  (Jeremiah 46:27-28)

It strikes me that God makes a distinction between those who are his and those who are not. 

To those who are not his, to those who have utterly rebelled against him, judgment is coming, and it is certain. 

But to those who are his, while he may discipline us, and that discipline may indeed be harsh, he will not simply dispose of us.  Rather, he is constantly working to restore us. 

And no matter how badly we may fall, he promises that he will always be with us.

You may feel that because of your sin, God is punishing you, and more than that, that he has given up on you. 

But if you have received Jesus as Lord in your life and received his gift of eternal life, you are God’s child.  And as such, he says to you,

I will never leave you; I will never forget you.  (Hebrews 13:5).

So,

Do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”…

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  (Hebrews 12:5-6; 10-11)

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Jeremiah

Responding to hard words

Jeremiah

Nobody likes discipline.  Nobody likes hearing hard words.  But how we respond to them can shape our lives for the good or the bad.

Jeremiah had many hard words for the people of Judah, namely words of judgment for their sin. 

It was always a two-fold message:  Judgment is coming.  But you can avoid it if you will just turn from your sin. 

In chapter 25, he warned the people that they would go into exile into Babylon for 70 years unless they repented. 

Not only did he warn Judah, but he warned the surrounding nations as well. 

How did they respond?  Many didn’t respond well at all.

When many of people, priests, and prophets heard Jeremiah’s words, they seized him, saying, “You must die!  Why are you saying these things?”  (Jeremiah 26:8-9). 

They considered it almost treason to preach that Judah would be destroyed for their sins.  Jeremiah was only saved when the elders of the land stood up for him. 

They pointed out that when the prophet Micah prophesied during the time of Hezekiah, Hezekiah responded by fearing the Lord and repenting, causing God to relent on passing judgment. 

On hearing this, the people released Jeremiah, but we see no signs that they actually turned from their sins.

Their king Jehoiakim was no better.  When another prophet named Uriah preached against Judah as Jeremiah did, Jehoiakim had him pursued all the way to Egypt, and when they brought him back, he had Uriah killed.  (Jeremiah 26:20-23)

At another time, Jeremiah had his scribe Baruch go to the temple and and read out the words Jeremiah had been given by God. 

When he did, the palace officials had Baruch hand them the scroll, and they took it and read it to Jehoiakim. 

Jehoiakim’s response?  He cut them up and burned them.  Then he tried to have Jeremiah put to death too.

How about you?  How do you respond to hard words.  When someone confronts you about sin in your life, do you brush it off?  Do you get angry and attack the person who confronts you?  Or do you take those words to heart and repent?

God’s desire is not to judge people.  His desire is that we turn from our sins and repent.  And by sending people to warn us, he’s giving us that chance. 

How much better for us would it be if we would take those words and let them shape us, instead of casting them aside?

What will you do?

Categories
Isaiah

Something worse

Isaiah

We get a peek at the timeline in this passage, and find that Ahaz has just died as Isaiah writes this.  But it’s probably not of Ahaz’s death that Isaiah writes about in verse 29.

The Philistines were probably rejoicing at the death of the Assyrian king who had caused much suffering among them.

But Isaiah warned them that although this particular king would no longer cause them grief, their troubles were not at an end.  Rather it would only get worse.

His son would take over from where his father had left off, and in addition, famine would hit the land.  As a result, the Philistines would be wiped out from the earth, and there was no hope for them.

On the other hand, the people whom the Philistines had caused much harm to over the years, the Israelites, would find refuge and safety in Zion once more (Isaiah 14:30, 32).

What can we learn from this?  God often brings discipline in our lives in order that we might repent.

One of the reasons he sent the Assyrians against the Philistines (and the Israelites, for that matter) was that in their suffering, they might turn from their sins and turn to God. But when the Philistines refused to repent, they were utterly destroyed. 

The only reason why God spared the Israelites was because of his own promises to Abraham and their forefathers, that their descendants would continue on forever, and that the Messiah would come from their line.

But anyway, the warning Isaiah gave the Philistines of greater judgment is similar to a warning Jesus gave a man he had healed.

The man had been lame for 38 years, but Jesus healed him.  When Jesus met him later, he told the man, “See, you are well again.  Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”  (John 5:14)

In other words, “You thought your prior affliction was bad?  Don’t just rejoice that you’ve been healed.  You have a much deeper problem.  Your sin.  And unless you repent, something worse will happen to you.

“Your lameness was a temporary affliction.  Hell, on the other hand, is forever.”

What do we do with the warnings of God?  Do we ignore them?  Or do we heed them?

May you heed the warnings of God that you might find life, and escape the eternal punishment that is to come to those who refuse to repent.