In our final put up on man’s tendency to overlook, we centered on verses within the Psalms. At this time, 4 prophets are utilized by God to confront Israel with their sin of forgetfulness. As talked about earlier than, it’s simple to level fingers on the Jews and self-righteously declare, “I’d always remember God,” however oh, how fast we’re to level to the splinter in one other’s eye whereas ignoring the plank protruding of our personal.
As you hear the heart-breaking phrases of the prophets right now, ask the Lord what he’s saying to you. Will you overlook the Lord?
God speaks by Isaiah.
The prophet who referred to as out the sinful revolt of Judah would additionally deliver essentially the most hopeful phrases in regards to the coming Messiah. Would Judah acknowledge the King who would come by their line? On the day of the Lord’s judgment, no assist could be discovered within the altars and shrines to nugatory gods.
On that day their sturdy cities might be just like the deserted woods and mountaintops that have been deserted due to the Israelites; there might be desolation. For you’ve gotten forgotten the God of your salvation, and you’ve got failed to recollect the rock of your power; due to this fact you’ll plant lovely vegetation and set out cuttings from unique vines. (Isaiah 17:9-10 CSB, emphasis added)
As his phrases by the prophet come to a detailed, the Lord reveals how Gentiles might be welcomed by the Lord whereas his personal individuals have turned towards him and forgotten him.
“I used to be sought by those that didn’t ask; I used to be discovered by those that didn’t search me. I stated, ‘Right here I’m, right here I’m,’ to a nation that didn’t name on my title. I unfold out my fingers all day lengthy to a rebellious individuals who stroll within the path that isn’t good, following their very own ideas.
However you who abandon the Lord, who overlook my holy mountain, who put together a desk for Fortune and fill bowls of blended wine for Future, I’ll destine you for the sword, and all of you’ll kneel all the way down to be slaughtered, as a result of I referred to as and also you didn’t reply, I spoke and also you didn’t hear; you probably did what was evil in my sight and selected what I didn’t enjoyment of.” (Isaiah 65:1-2, 11-12, emphasis added)
The Lord will bless those that search him and bear in mind him, Jew and Gentile alike. Judgment is reserved for individuals who overlook him and switch to different gods, Jew and Gentile alike.
God speaks by Jeremiah.
My favourite prophet, Jeremiah is God’s messenger to a people who find themselves about to be taken into exile. Nonetheless, they reject his phrases and switch their backs on the God of Israel, opening the way in which for their very own destruction.
A sound is heard on the barren heights: the kids of Israel weeping and begging for mercy, for they’ve perverted their manner; they’ve forgotten the Lord their God. Return, you faithless kids. I’ll heal your unfaithfulness. “Right here we’re, coming to you, for you’re the Lord our God.” (Jeremiah 3:21-22, Emphasis added)
The Lord God of all of the universe had lengthy confirmed that he comes close to to those that search him, however the individuals nonetheless turned to man-made idols for his or her assist and listened to mendacity prophets.
“Am I a God who is just close to”—that is the Lord’s declaration—“and never a God who is much away? Can an individual conceal in secret locations the place I can not see him?” —the Lord’s declaration. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” —the Lord’s declaration.
“I’ve heard what the prophets who prophesy a lie in my title have stated: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ How lengthy will this proceed within the minds of the prophets prophesying lies, prophets of the deceit of their very own minds? By means of their desires that they inform each other, they plan to trigger my individuals to overlook my title as their ancestors forgot my title by Baal worship. The prophet who has solely a dream ought to recount the dream, however the one who has my phrase ought to converse my phrase honestly, for what’s straw in comparison with grain?”—that is the Lord’s declaration. (Jeremiah 23:23-28, emphasis added)
As a result of they forgot the Lord, they wander like misplaced sheep. In him alone is their true relaxation.
My individuals have been misplaced sheep; their shepherds led them astray, guiding them the mistaken manner within the mountains. They wandered from mountain to hill; they forgot their resting place. (Jeremiah 50:6, emphasis added)
Do you hearken to different voices, who flip your ideas from God? Are you wandering, feeling misplaced in your confusion? Look to the Good Shepherd who longs to present you relaxation.
God speaks by Ezekiel.
Out of his mercy and style, God speaks within the midst of the storm. Of their exile, he selected to talk by Ezekiel, reminding the individuals of why they have been in such a state of despair. In the course of his prophecy, the Lord provides Ezekiel an illustration of two sisters to signify Samaria and Jerusalem or Israel and Judah. Each had forgotten their God and turned to evil methods.
Due to this fact, that is what the Lord God says: “As a result of you’ve gotten forgotten me and forged me behind your again, you will need to bear the results of your indecency and promiscuity.” (Ezekiel 23:35, emphasis added)
They might pay the results for his or her sin, and Ezekiel is a reminder that it isn’t solely the enemies of God’s individuals who could be punished however his personal kids as properly. They need to return and bear in mind.
God speaks by Hosea.
As the one prophet from the Northern Kingdom, Hosea is exclusive, and the Lord used him in a novel strategy to convey his message to a rebellious nation. In marrying Gomer, an adulterous spouse, God would present the depth of his like to a forgetful individuals.
Israel has forgotten his Maker and constructed palaces; Judah has additionally multiplied fortified cities. I’ll ship hearth on their cities, and it’ll devour their citadels. (Hosea 8:14, emphasis added)
The heartbreaking actuality of this prophecy is the reality that it conveys in the truth that when God had given them every thing, introduced them out of Egypt to a land of abundance, and conquered all their enemies, they nonetheless forgot the Lord their God.
I’ve been the Lord your God ever for the reason that land of Egypt; you already know no God however me, and no Savior exists moreover me. I knew you within the wilderness, within the land of drought. After they had pasture, they grew to become glad; they have been glad, and their hearts grew to become proud. Due to this fact they forgot me. So I might be like a lion to them; I’ll lurk like a leopard on the trail. I’ll assault them like a bear robbed of her cubs and tear open the rib cage over their hearts. I’ll devour them there like a lioness, like a wild beast that might rip them open. I’ll destroy you, Israel; you haven’t any assist however me. (Hosea 13:4-9, emphasis added)
These passages are clear. We will overlook the Lord in good instances and in unhealthy. Neither offers an excuse for our revolt, and those that select to show their backs on the Lord pays an excellent worth.
The place are you in your relationship to the Lord? Do you benefit from the fellowship of his presence and the blessing of his candy mercies, or have you ever forgotten him and wander after voices that deliver no hope or salvation? Search the Lord whereas he could also be discovered.
Grace and Peace
In the event you missed the final Friday Focus put up, click on HERE, or begin from the Starting.
