9/15/24
Rev. Clint Smith
Sermon Direct Link
God made His intentions clear: He would righteously judge Israel for their wickedness and rebellion. Though He would humble them through their enemies, God planned to preserve a remnant for Himself. Despite their unfaithfulness, He persistently called His chosen people to repent, seek Him, and live.
God took the initiative to call His people to repentance. He called for them to seek Him and live. God desires a personal love relationship with His people.
God warned His people not to seek false gods or even enter into the areas where idolatrous worship occurred. He promised ruin for those who persisted in their unholiness and destruction of the places where it happened. God sees.
God called His people to search diligently for Him and long for Him as their most essential need. He called them to observe the beauty and splendor around them and recognize that He is the All-powerful Creator of the universe. He defined His purpose, His power, and His name. Genesis 1; Job 9:7-10; 38:31-33; John 1:1-3; Romans 1:18-32; 2:1-11
Israel had reached a pinnacle of evil. They claimed to follow God with their words, but their actions and devotions revealed they were far from God. They despised judicial rulings that upheld justice and detested those who spoke the truth with integrity and honesty. They built luxurious houses and farms with money acquired through overtaxing and extorting the poor. They refused to listen to the truth and disregarded people of good character. God knew their sins and called them shocking and innumerable.
Though God exposed Israel’s sins and called them to seek good rather than evil so that they might live, they refused to repent. God sought to display His divine favor.
God declared His holy retribution against His people for their willful sins.
As God’s people today, we must remember that there is a future day when God will judge the world with righteousness and perfect justice. Judgment is coming. How shall we live in light of this? John 16:8-11; Revelation 22:12