Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Don't Be a Scoffer

Ezekiel is largely a warning to apostate Israel. One proverb they had grown fond of was a cute couplet used to convince themselves that what YHWH's prophets said would not come to pass - judgment would not come upon Israel, they were God's people!

Ezekiel 12:21-25 (HCSB) Again the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, what is this proverb you people have about the land of Israel, which goes: The days keep passing by, and every vision fails? Therefore say to them: This is what the Lord GOD says: I will put a stop to this proverb, and they will not use it again in Israel. But say to them: The days draw near, as well as the fulfillment of every vision. For there will no longer be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. But I, Yahweh, will speak whatever message I will speak, and it will be done. It will no longer be delayed. For in your days, rebellious house, I will speak a message and bring it to pass.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

But judgment DID come, they were taken into Babylon. And that stands as a warning to all who claim Christ today. Do we rightly fear God and seek to walk as Christ has commanded? Or do we scoff at the idea that He is coming?

2 Peter 3:3-7 (HCSB) First, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days to scoff, living according to their own desires, saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? Ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” They willfully ignore this: Long ago the heavens and the earth were brought about from water and through water by the word of God. Through these waters the world of that time perished when it was flooded. But by the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Current scoffers have much in common with the unbelievers in ancient Israel - they try to convince themselves that all will be delayed for so long that it doesn't really matter.

But the Word of God has the present heavens and earth waiting for the judgment of fire whereupon ungodly people will destroyed.

Are you a scoffer? Plead with God to give you a new heart that longs to submit to Him rather than rebel.

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