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RECAP NEWSLETTER - 9/25/4 Issue 22 Whenever God told the Israelites why He was going to judge them, we should pay particular attention so that we do not make the same mistakes. God has not changed. There is not a more 'contemporary' standard or leniency with God in this day and age. In these verses, God does not go into details regarding what particular sins they were committing, how many people they killed, how many idols they worshipped, or other sins. God goes to the crux of the matter and states that when they were in their sin they refused to hearken to His instruction. They were sinning. God gave them a way of repentance, change, and forgiveness. The moment that marked the crossing of the line was when they "refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulders, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear." God did not just blast down dire warnings that they would be judged. He first sent word by the prophets entreating them to return to Him. They did not listen. They set their heart as an "adamant stone", which has the idea of hardness as flint or diamond. They were so set in their ways that when the truth of God was read and proclaimed to them, they pulled away and stopped their ears. There are many Christians in the church and ministry who take the Bible as a general book of suggestions. They will live in appearance by it, but when it chaps their hide, then they disregard that word. I have known Christians, who when confronted with what the Bible says about a certain matter, state that they basically do not care what the Bible says, and that they will do what they want to do. This, of course, could happen to any one of us. Everyone sins, everyone makes mistakes, everyone needs correcting, and everyone needs to be willing to listen to constructive, Biblical criticism of their actions. Could this passage in Zechariah be applied to me or you? Does God say that He has tried to instruct us in the way that we should go, but we do not want to listen? God's judgment on those individuals applied to Christians even today. God stated in verse 13, that if you will not listen to Him, then He will not listen to you. When God brought judgment upon their land, no doubt many cried out to the true God. There were perhaps many who repented of their ways and cried out to God for deliverance. It was too late. Those who had refused to hearken to God were not granted audience in the day they desired Him most. There are points in life and time that judgment will come. No doubt, the righteous in the land called out to God as well. They were heard. What about me? Are my prayers being heard? Am I eagerly listening for what God says, or do I just nod, mumble, and continue in my ways? When someone confronts me with the Word of God on a matter that I need to correct in my life, do I get upset and refuse to hearken? Check your relationship with God. Read His Word, Listen, Hearken, and be heard.
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May God richly bless,
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