Readings for today: Ezekiel 25-28
Mockery. Vengeance. Pride. All themes from today’s reading that incur the judgment of God. Rather than lament over the sins of God’s people and the destruction of Jerusalem, the pagan nations rejoice. They eagerly pile on. They take it too far. They take advantage of Israel’s weakness to enact their own revenge. In their pride, they think they are immune. They think they are safe. They think they will escape God’s judgment. Not so! God will make an example of them as well. They will come to see Him as sovereign over all the nations not just Israel. He is the God of gods, not bound to a particular tribe or territory. The earth and all that is in it falls under His reign and rule. He will make Himself known in power and glory among the peoples of the earth so they will acknowledge Him and come to worship Him.
Mockery. Vengeance. Pride. These themes still run rampant today. Rather than grieve over sin, we rejoice in the downfall of our enemies. Rather than show restraint, we take advantage of any weakness to exact revenge. Rather than walk in humility before the Lord, we start to believe in our own righteousness. It’s a brutal cycle, eternally on repeat. Recently, I’ve been heartbroken to see these attitudes manifest themselves among believers. Whether in interpersonal relationships or among particular groups in particular movements, it seems like mockery, vengeance, and pride are on the rise. More and more Christians seem to be opting for a hostile, judgmental, self-righteous posture towards those they love and live among or towards the world around them. They even attack fellow believers, accusing them of cowardice and weakness and mocking biblical values like gentleness, humility, and love. I have to admit I find it utterly baffling.
The bottom line is this…sin should grieve us. It should break our hearts. Whether we see it on a personal level between people or we see it on an organizational level in businesses, schools, or churches or we see it on a national level with our government. Rather than drive us to mockery or pride or arrogance or self-righteousness, it should bring us to our knees in prayer. It should drive us to speak up and speak out but in grace and love. It should drive us to advocate and work for righteousness but in humility. Because we know God will not be mocked. We know vengeance belongs to Him alone. We know God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. And so we place our trust in Him.
Readings for tomorrow: Ezekiel 29-32