Things were really bad spiritually for the Hebrew people just before God sent the pagan armies to conquer the Northern and Southern kingdoms.
Though the conquests occurred at different times because of varying rates of rebellion in the divided Hebrew nations, the core reason for the disasters — rejection of God’s authority and purposes — was the same.
Millions died as a result of permeated sin when the Assyrian and Babylonian armies pillaged the Hebrew nations and countless others were dragged off as exiled slaves in Damascus and Babylon.
And this suffering doesn’t even count the spiritual death that awaited the millions in eternity because of stubborn, self-will.
It didn’t have to happen, of course.
But in giving man free will, God knew that most people would choose the path of living for themselves rather than living for their Creator.
A pathetic glimpse into the prevailing mindset in pre-exile days is revealed in today’s One-Year Bible reading.
The passage from Micah 2:11 almost sounds like a line from a Saturday Night Live skit mocking Christians.
“If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ he would be just the prophet for this people!”
What is so sad is that irreverent, anti-Christian script writers didn’t craft this statement in order to prompt laughs.
Instead, it was written by a prophet inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Can you imagine how it must have broken God’s heart to see the calloused carnality of His people who were to the point of shouting “Amen!” if a priest prayed for free booze for temple tithers’ social events?
Flesh had not only eclipsed faith. It had squashed it.
Wow.
I’ve never heard a preacher praying for congregation members to get plenty of free booze at the liquor store.
But there are plenty of religious types on the TV, radio and Internet who prophesy that all sorts of earthly desires can be theirs if the listeners will just send in “love gifts.”
Gimme a break.
Actually, this same sort of thing happens via print media and in countless churches around the world.
Tickling ears.
That’s what it is.
Micah 2:11 shows that it makes God sick.
It makes me sick, too.
Will you pray with me that God reveal to us both if there are any yearnings of our souls that place flesh ahead of faith?
Will you pray with me that we reject any whispered suggestions to pray for God’s power to satisfy our earthly cravings?
Remember that the principle of Micah 2:11 applies to any fleshly yearning that shoves itself to the top the of prayer list.
“If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of __________,’ he would be just the prophet for this people!”
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, my friend.
That’s the main lesson from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7.
Do this and you’ll never be drawn to churches teaching religion as a tool for satisfying desires of the flesh.
As always, I love you
Martin
