Becoming Cursed and Abhorred

Scripture:
Whoever says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations.
Proverbs 24:24

Observation: Within the wise sayings regarding honesty and partiality in judging is this statement about wickedness. This is pretty clear ... anyone who declares wickedness as good or innocent will themselves be cursed.

This is the exact charge levied by the Lord in Jeremiah 23. The Lord calls out how the prophets of Samaria sinned by prophesying in the name of Baal. However, he then declares that the prophets of Judah now do something even worse ... they "walk in lies" and "strengthen the hands of evil doers" (v14). They say to those who hate God "it will be well with you" and to those who follow their own will instead of the instructions of the Lord "no calamity will come upon you" (v17).

In other words, they approve of acts of wickedness by giving "words" from the Lord that support activities that are not consistent with the word of the Lord. The wise writer of Proverbs knew what would come next, which is curses and shame such that they will be abhorred by nations. Jeremiah says the same, that the Lord is against these prophets, and they will be cast out and endure everlasting disgrace and shame.

Application: I am so afraid that our entire society has entered this phase in our rebellion against the Lord, that we declare those who hate the Lord to be good. Our leaders declare as good and even protect those who perpetuate acts in violation of the Lord's instruction, ensuring it will be well with them and no calamity will come upon them.

Are we in actually a cursed and abhorred people? Is our nation about to become a disgrace, a byword, a taunt?

We are not a nation chose by the Lord to be his priests. However, we are a nation established by the hand of the Lord, and with original values by Christ. We have abandoned those values, and now gone beyond the evil of Samaria - worshiping our own gods - to the evil of Judah, which is declaring proper and even sanctified that which is wicked. We have dismissed God's word for our own definitions of good and truth and knowledge.

How do we return from this precipice?

Prayer: Lord, I pray today for our nation. We are lost. May we find our way back to you. And if we do not, may you have mercy on the remnant who devoutly believes in you and your word. Amen.