Thursday: Open Defiance
Read Jeremiah 44:1-10. What were the captives doing in Egypt?
During the Egyptian captivity, Jeremiah had to face the same problem he had while he and his people had lived in Judah. At that time he had to talk to the leaders; now he had to talk to the common people, who in captivity were committing some of the same sins that brought this devastation on them to begin with.
What startling answer did they give to Jeremiah when confronted by them? (Jer. 44:15-19).
Image © Kevin Carden from GoodSalt.com
The hardness of their hearts and the deception that had overtaken them is astonishing. Basically, they looked Jeremiah in the face and defied him and what he spoke to them in the name of the Lord.
The rationale was simple: in the early days, before the reforms of Josiah, when they were heavily steeped in worshiping pagan gods, even burning incense to the queen of heaven
and pouring out drink offerings to her, things went well for them. They were materially well off and dwelt in safety. However, it was only after the reforms of Josiah (which were too late and half-hearted anyway) that calamity struck. So, why should they listen to Jeremiah and all his warnings?
Jeremiah’s response (Jer. 44:20-30) was, No, you don’t understand. It was precisely because you did all these things that these calamities have come upon you. Worse, your stubborn refusal to change means that even more calamity will come, and the safety you thought you would find in Egypt is a deception and a lie, just like the pagan gods you worship. In the end, you will know the truth, but it will be too late.
What about those who, steeped in sin and unbelief, seem to be doing very well, while at times faithful Christians go through terrible trials? How do we work our way through this reality?
(31)
We need to know what is wrong and what is right, and we will feel this through our conscience, that is how God will speak to us......amen
Amen Karen, Praise the LORD that once we submit our will to Him, He changes our thoughts, ideas, conscience to be in harmony with His character and we will know what is right or wrong.
Open defiance may often be a sign of the closing of one’s probation; for then the Spirit no longer strives with the individual, the conscience is seared and there is a kind of open season for sin (1 Timothy 4:1-2; Ephesians 4:18-19).
The rebellious remnant in Egypt pushed past the line of grace (Jeremiah 44:16-18). Their loyalty was firmly with the “queen of heaven” and their probation was duly closed and sentence declared (Jeremiah 44:22, 25-28).
There are some believers who deny that the mediation of Christ will at some point cease (1 Timothy 2:5). They hold that divine intercession will never end and may quote Hebrews 7:25. Nevertheless probation did close in Noah’s day (Genesis 6:3; 7:1-16); ahead of the destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19:10-13); and in batches for the people of Judah (Ezekiel 10:2; Jeremiah 25:15).
There is a limit to divine mercy, and saving grace has an end. Jesus, the High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16) for the saints will throw down the censer at the close of the antitypical Day of Atonement (Revelation 8:5; Leviticus 16:12) and declare, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still…and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” (Revelation 22:11). The time is near.
Before then individuals may cut off themselves by repeated rejection of the Holy Spirit’s prompting which results in open defiance (Romans 1:22-32). Jesus told His followers to quit if after definite effort the people still reject their plea (Luke 10:10-12). By this He signaled that the Savior has limits and certainly does not impose His will to save.
Jehovah may in various areas overrule the will of humans from time to time; but salvation is a choice left to the sinner. What have you done with the sacred choice? What choice do you make today?
Having read the 'Great Controversy' by EGW, I realise that while some of us incline our ear to the word and law and to the express intruction and commands of God, it must be tested, purified, and perfected.
God teaches His beloved children through instrumentalities such as pain, suffering, isolation etc. So, when we experience these we should have eyes to see God working to elevate us to better state.
Our faith in God should be absolute in the midst. Of terrible trials. As children of God, we should learn from the story of Joseph, Daniel and his friends and many others. These people went through great trials and were persecuted but they were not broken a bit. Their faith in God was absolute to the point of death and God never disappointed them. In Gen 39;9, Joseph would rather go to jail than to commit great wickedness and sin against God. In Daniel 3;18, the three Hebrew boys were ready to die in the fiery furnace "even if" God does not deliver them. Habbakuk's hymn of faith in chapter 3 verse 17-19 is perhaps is a very good example of an absolute faith in God in the midst of trials and temptations. "Although the fig tree shall not blossom... I will joy in the God of my Salvation..."
God Bless.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: -2 Peter 1:19 Therefore, we are to trust in God and know at all time that he will deliver us when his time is right and his word has come to pass.
What about those who, steeped in sin and unbelief, seem to be doing very well, while at times faithful Christians go through terrible trials? How do we work our way through this reality? We have to live by faith and not by sight,let's "Trust in the LORD with all (our)thine heart; and lean not onto (our)thine own understanding"Pro 3:5,allowing nothing to, "separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord"Rom 8:39, for the righteous Judge is soon to come,He says "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev 22:12
Amen Earl Williams we have to learn from people like Joseph, Daniel and his friends, childless Hana etc.
They refused to humble themselves before the Lord and continued to do as they pleased!In fact, the men had to coach their wives on how to sin! Its a pity but the reality is that this is exactly what is happening today. Think of corruption scandals where men, their women and children are all involved and so many other small things that happen right at the family level. We need to be careful and listen at least when we are told. We still have a chance otherwise the catastrophic end is much more at hand. It will find us still fighting for our livelihood on earth rather than seeking after the things of HEAVEN
Does the mediation/intercession of God have an end or do we no longer hear God's voice or respond to His call because we've chosen otherwise?
Joy, I would suggest that the mediation/intercession continues until the general close of probation. Then "those who are living upon the earth when the INTERCESSION of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above, are to stand in the sight of a holy God WITHOUT A MEDIATOR." (Great Controversy p.425, see also p.614)
But prior to that point, it is possible, I believe, for us to reach the place where we are "past feeling" (Eph 4:19). I understand this to mean that we can become completely insensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
The promptings continue, but they are unfelt:
"...when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not." (Isa 66:4)
From the beginning we refuse to listen and be obedient to the word of God that's when we open a gate to the devil and makes us stiff necked until our consciences die and no longer hear any message which comes to us through His prophets. God never leave us but we are the ones who leave Him to our own ways.
There's no other word for God's grace, long-suffering and mercy but simply AMAZING! In the face of this nation's BARE-FACED defiance and challenge of His supreme authority as Creator, Sustainer, Ruler of the universe and their Deliverer in words so BOLD as "..we will not listen to you"(Jer 44:16, God's prophet, Jeremiah still delivers the clear warning. Today we see the same scenario played out among God's last day people. Many truths are opened to us repeatedly but we refuse to take heed because CHANGE requires sacrifice and surrender of many of our PET sins and habits. May we heed God's warnings to us in these closing moments of earth's history before it is too late!
Psm 37 speaks about the wicked. We must put our trust in the Lord Jesus and no matter what it looks like or what we feel emotion lies and false hope never comes to a great end. Keep your eye upon Jesus and the things of this world will grow strangely dim. If we don't remember where we came from and how the lord lead us we will surely repeat the same foolishness again. Have mercy on us to want to serve false Gods and not obey the word of the lord.
The operative word here is"seem" to be doing so well.
We really don"t know some people's corcumstances, so even though they may be doing well financially they may have health problems or family issues.
The sun shines on the good and the bad for a time so we must ask Yhwh(God) for understanding.
The captives forgot the "we reap what we sow', concept as I ofen do it may take monts, years,or generations to come to fruition. So I ask Yhwh everyday to keep my envy at bay and afford me more patience.
Last but not least hardship is often necessary and sometimes not having any hardships is a hardship to ones character.
we are defiant because we are Jesus deficient. let us be humble to get the Son formed within us and reason together ;we shall eat the good of the Land. ( Isaiah 1.18-20)
“What about those who, steeped in sin and unbelief, seem to be doing very well, while at times faithful Christians go through terrible trials? How do we work our way through this reality?”
We wait and trust in the Lord, all the while asking Him to strengthen our hearts (Psalm 37:7; Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 30:17-18).