When the Hard Hearts are in God’s People

…. WHAT A SAD AND SORRY STATE!!

But it happens. And we see it happen in God’s chosen people, Israel. Before they entered the promised land, God warned them:

“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today….. (lest) when all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” (Deuteronomy 8:11,13b-14 NKJ)

And in verses 18 to 20, the Lord gives a grave warning about what will happen to them if they forget Him, the One Who gives them the power to get wealth.

“And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the LORD your God.”

So did they heed the warning?

Nope!! Like all fallen human nature, which with its bent towards rebellion, they went their own way. In their plenty, pride and arrogance entered their hearts. The forgot the fear of the Lord.

Consequently, we see the Israelites defeated by their enemies many times. However, each time they’d call out to God in their desperation, and He would rescue them. They eventually end up as captives in Babylon. After loosing everything and being in bondage for 70 years, a remnant of Israel return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city.

Isaiah 30 contrasts their rebellion with God’s graciousness and mercy:

This is what the Sovereign Lord,
the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
But you would have none of it.
You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt.
They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’
But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!
One of them will chase a thousand of you.
Five of them will make all of you flee.
You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hillor a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”

So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for his help.
O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more.
He will be gracious if you ask for help.
He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.
Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you.
You will see your teacher with your own eyes.
Your own ears will hear him.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
whether to the right or to the left.
Then you will destroy all your silver idols and your precious gold images.
You will throw them out like filthy rags, saying to them, “Good riddance!” (v.15-22, NLT)

(More tomorrow! )