The Curse of Meroz Judges 5:23 Curse Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, Curse its inhabitants bitterly, Because they did not come to the help of the LORD, To the help of the LORD against the mighty (Judges 5:23).

Sin of Meroz Neglect of A Plain and Positive Duty – Implies an invitation given and they were without excuse. – Neutral and useless at a critical time. – What if all villages had been like them? – It was as much to their advantage to respond as Napthali and Zebulun. – Like many: want blessings, but don’t want to pay the price.

Sin of Meroz Vital Principle: The Sin of Inactivity – Innocence of positive guilt not enough to save. – Christ taught against the sin of Meroz in Matt. 25: One talent man Those in Judgment scene who did not help the needy. Today: – Neglect Bible study on Sunday morning, the evening worship assembly, Wed. services. – Neglect visiting and encouraging.

Sin of Meroz Vital Principle: The sin of Inactivity – Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all (1 Thess. 5:14). – Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world (Jas. 1:27). – Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin (Jas. 4:17).

Why Refuse God’s Call? God Doesn’t Need My Help. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome (1 Jn. 5:3). Others better than me can do it. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are (1 Cor. 1:27-28).

Why Refuse God’s Call? Fear or Cowardice. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men (Rom. 12:18). But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (Jas. 3:17). But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 21:8). And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey (Matt. 25:15).