Active Rejection of God's Word

Scripture: Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other insolent men said to Jeremiah, “You are telling a lie. The Lord our God did not send you to say, ‘Do not go to Egypt to settle there’; but Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us, to hand us over to the Chaldeans, in order that they may kill us or take us into exile in Babylon.” So Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces and all the people did not obey the voice of the Lord, to stay in the land of Judah. Jeremiah 43:2-4

Observation: Even those who survive the Babylonian cleansing of Judah refuse to obey the Lord in any way. They have seen everything Jeremiah said come true, ask for the Lord's advice, and immediately declare him a liar. They are promised safety in Judah, and to themselves be able to sustain the Israeli people, and instead they choose to flee to Egypt where they are promised certain death. Once in Egypt, they then refuse to honor God at all and instead actively persist in their idol worship practices (chapter 44).

This is the truth of about the nature and condition of the Israelites ... they are not ignorant of the Lord's instructions, but rather they actively and repeatedly - with forethought and stubborn insistence - reject the word of the Lord.

Application: This is when I fail the worst ... when I actively and intentionally reject God's instructions. I do this too often, where I know I should or shouldn't do something, and act the opposite. Like Paul, I refuse to do what I love, and instead do what I hate.

I must absolutely change this, or destruction is promised to me.

Prayer: Lord, I ask for your forgiveness for my sins and wrongdoings. I am a flawed, sinful, and weak person, who can do nothing without your spirit and your strength and your love. I ask that you not just take my hand so I won't stumble, but carry me when I am falling. I need you, Jesus. Amen.