What Happened? Then And Now If people do not learn from their history, they are doomed to repeat it.
Introduction The history recorded in the Bible isn’t just dry, dusty stories about old people who did things in ancient times. It is important because it not only establishes a historical context for Gods scheme of redemption but also provides innumerable lessons that God wants us to learn. Following the death of Solomon, the nation of Israel divided into the northern kingdom of ten tribes which kept the name Israel and the southern kingdom of two tribes known as Judah which kept the house of David.
Introduction The northern kingdom quickly went into apostasy and was taken into Assyrian captivity around 722 B.C. Judah remained faithful a little longer, but it too eventually went into apostasy and was taken into Babylonian captivity in 586 B.C. In order to teach an important lesson for future generations, the inspired chronicler explained some of the reasons for Judah’s apostasy and punishment.
Why God Taught Them 1 Chronicles 36:15: “And the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place;” God showed concern and cared for His people. God wanted the best for them.
But… 1 Chronicles 36:16: “but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy.” Verse 21 says that all was fulfilled that the prophet Jeremiah had spoken for God against God’s people and the land.
What Lessons Should We Learn? First and foremost, not to do what they did. We know that had they repented and served God, He was willing to restore their blessings. We know that their rejection of God was constant. We know that God gave them curses and not blessings, but for some reason this did not change their ways.
They Mocked The Messenger To mock means to ridicule or deride, and those who prefer their own ways have always mocked Gods messengers: Even Jesus, Gods Son Himself, when He came to earth was mocked: Matthew. 27:27-31 However, while some may mock here on earth, our God is not someone to be mocked and He will ultimately do something about those who do
They Mocked The Messenger They mocked the prophets, They mocked the Son, They mock all Christians who try to share their faith with others.
They Despised God’s Words To despise means to disdain or regard as worthless; Gods words are His message, His revelation, and He warned Israel against despising them: Lev. 26:14-15 “But if you do not obey Me and do not carry out all these commandments, if instead, you reject My statutes, and if your soul abhors My ordinances so as not to carry out all My commandments, and so break My covenant…”
They Despised God’s Words Gods word is despised when it is disobeyed David: 2 Sam. 12:9-10 “Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon”.
They Despised God’s Words Since Gods words are given for our good, only a fool will despise them: Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Isaiah 30:9 “For this is a rebellious people, false sons, sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the LORD”:
They Despised God’s Words Isaiah 30: 10-11: “ Who say to the seers, You must not see visions; and to the prophets, You must not prophesy to us what is right, speak to us pleasant words, prophesy illusions. Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel”. Is this not happening in our day?
They Scoffed At The Prophets To scoff is to express scorn, contempt, or reproach: Psalm 1:1 “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!” Proverbs 13:1 “A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke”. There were scoffers and scorners in Judah during the days of Isaiah and Jeremiah
They Scoffed At The Prophets While we don’t have prophets today, the New Testament was written by them. Ephesians 3:5 “which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit:” There will always be those who scoff at God’s revelation:
They Scoffed At The Prophets 2 Peter 3:1-3 “This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and savior spoken by your apostles. Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,”
Conclusion In every generation and even today, there have been those who mock the followers of God who declare His message, despise the revelation of His words in Scripture, and scoff at those who have made it known. But just as God punished Judah for her sins, so will all who treat Him thus be punished: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 But you and I don’t have to be among that number who will be punished with everlasting destruction from the Lord and from the glory of His power. By Gods grace, salvation is available through Christ to all who will hear, believe, repent, confess and obey Gods revealed will of baptism. Are you ready to obey God?