Under God's Curse

Scripture: That was how King Joash repaid Jehoiada for his love and loyalty—by killing his son. Zechariah’s last words as he died were, “Lord, see what they are doing and pay them back.” A few months later the Syrian army arrived and conquered Judah and Jerusalem, killing all the leaders of the nation and sending back great quantities of booty to the king of Damascus. 2 Chronicles 24:22-23

Observation: When Joash - who at first worked side by side with Jehoiada to restore the temple but then instituted the worship of other gods - is confronted by Zechariah, his response is to kill Zechariah. For this, Judah is defeated by a small Syrian army and Joash is killed in the aftermath.

Fast forward ... when the Jews restore the temple, but then create a legalistic version of belief whereby they honor laws and rules and rituals more than the Lord, they are confronted by Jesus, and their response is to kill Jesus. For this, Judea is utterly defeated by the Roman empire and their government structure destroyed forever.

Application: Even today in 1 Corinthians, Paul concludes his letter by saying "if anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. (v16:22a)" Clearly, truer - and more important - words cannot be spoken.

Joash decided he no longer loved the Lord, and showed this through the ultimate betrayal ... rather than repent of sin, he had his friend and high priest Jehoiada's son killed for the singular crime of declaring the sovereignty and love of Yahweh.

The Jews clearly decided they no longer loved the Lord, and showed this through the ultimate betrayal ... rather than repent of sin, they killed Yahweh's son, the Messiah they were even looking for.

If you hate God, you decide you will not repent of sin, but instead you kill those who are sent by God.

Many, many people right now are dying in Afghanistan due to the fact they are Christians ... people sent by God to worship, love, and spread the gospel. Those doing the killing are doing so because, by the definition of their actions, they hate God. May they be under God's curse.

Prayer: Lord, so often I pray for your love, blessing, protection, guidance, hope, correction, and redemption. I often pray that those who do not know you may discover your love, learn of Jesus, and find salvation. Today, I pray into Paul's true declaration. This is not a declaration for those who simply do wrong, with or without knowledge. This is about those who hate you. May they be under your curse. Only you can know their path to repentance, but unless and until that day and time, may they be under your curse. Please save the faithful, and if you choose not to, please command the angels and all of heaven to celebrate their arrival in an amazing outpouring of your love and celebration of their earthly sacrifice. And may those who have killed them, those who hate you, but under your curse. Amen.