INTRODUCTION
The previous message explains the nature of the reign of the worldly kings and the examples of the bondage that is inherent in their reign. This message examines the position of God in relation to the bondage of His children. It explains the protests of God and highlights the state of the wicked that prosper by ungodliness. Yet it also reveals the merciful nature of God to hear our cry when we repent and presents God’s conditions of repentance including, obedience, contrition, humility towards God’s chastening and intercession by ministers of God.
1. GOD IN SOLEMN PROTEST TO BONDAGE REGIMES
The essence of bondage derives from the informed choice that mankind makes to opt out of God’s provision, protection and his judgement for the worldliness and lusts that entail under earthly regimes. We know that in spite of ‘God’s “solemn protest” through Samuel regarding the inherent bondage in the reign of worldly kings, Israel still rejected God. Let us now consider the position of God when people opt for a worldly life.
God is attentive to every ungodly earthly dominion, which he permits to exist because of the choices mankind make. However, He will hide His face from a nation, when “your hands are full of blood” although they may make many prayers (Isaiah 1:15; Micah 3:4). In a reign of bondage, God will also not hear the cry of the people who despise judgement (i.e. knowledge of right and wrong) and “have behave themselves ill in their doings” (Micah 3:1-4; 1 Samuel 8:18). Such behaviour will include those “who hate the good, and love the evil” and are sold to do evil at all cost.
Also, God will not hear the cry of those “Who also eat the flesh of [His] people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron”(Micah 3:3; Psalm 14:4;). The reference here includes those that exploit and terrorize the poor, the God-fearing and just in any ungodly or worldly society or nation (Isaiah 3:14).
2. THE WICKED ARE IN ‘SLIPPERY PLACES’
People and kings who perpetrate and promote bondage regimes and lust after evil with no regard for God’s counsel or His guidance demonstrate their rejection of God (Proverbs 1:24). These are blinded by their prosperity and thereby usually have a firm resolve to be disobedient. “Pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment”(Psalm 73:3-6). Such people become greedy and have more than heart could wish for; they “are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression[and ] they speak loftily”, including against the works of God in the earth (Psalm 73:6-9).
Brethren the depiction above “are the ungodly, who prosper in the world [and] increase in riches” out of the exploitation that occur in bondage worldly regimes (Psalm 73:12). In the eyes of the righteous, it may seem that because the wicked prosper,” they are not in trouble like other men [or] plagued like [others] (Psalm73:5). But this is not the case.
The wicked who proper under a reign of ungodliness are set “in slippery places” and will be brought into desolation, calamity, fear, destruction, terror, distress and anguish (Proverbs 1:24-27; Psalm 73:18-19). “Because they chose to serve evil and refuse the way of the Lord, “[God], will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them” (Isaiah 66:4). And “they [shall] eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices”. In other words, there can be no profit or gain from unrighteousness and ungodliness for God is not mocked (Proverbs 22:31; Galatians 6:7-9).
3. GOD HEARS A CRY OF REPENTANCE
People of God, you must know that the institutions of bondage of varying forms of exploitation entailing under ungodly worldly regimes are not to instill rebellion. Rather it is to cause people to repent and seek the Almighty God. Throughout Israel’s history, when the burden of their material lusts, idolatry, and spiritual blindness became unbearable, owing of their rejection of God, they would seek God.
When they cried unto the Lord in repentance, and admit their sins, He would send captains or leaders to deliver them from their oppression and their enemies and make them dwell in safety (1 Samuel 9:16; 12:10-11; Psalm 107:10-13). Let us examine some of the God’s conditions of repentance:
4. CONDITIONS FOR REPENTANCE
a) To Fear God and Be Obedient
Samuel gave the children of Israel conditions of repentance for rejecting God that we should consider today in bondage societies. One condition is that we (as with the children of Israel) “will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord”(1 Samuel 12:14).
It is important to note that only when the people fear and serve God and keep his precepts that His favour will be upon them and the reign of their king. But if the people in the nation do wickedly, are disobedient and rebellious against His words then “ye shall still, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king”(1 Samuel 12:14-15 &25)
b) To Have a Contrite Spirit
God will “look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at [his] word” (Isaiah 66:2). Therefore people should not be afraid of God’s wrath or turn away from following Him even though they have done wickedness. Rather they should “only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart” (1 Samuel 12:20).
One should continue to serve God in contrition while the bondage exists under the worldly kings. This is because “the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people”. Whereas, if you turn aside from following God, as a result of oppression of bondage, one would incline to “go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain”(1 Samuel 12:21-22).
c) Despise not the Chastening of God
Further, when God reproves mankind (including whole nations) by the permitting ungodly regimes and bondage because of people’s rejection of His reign in their lives, we should “despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction”. The Lord disciplines and chastises those that he loves, and whom considers as his children (Proverbs 3:11; Hebrews 12:5; Job 5:17).
But if people turn from their evil doings at His reproof, “[God] will pour out [his] spirit unto you, [and] will make known [His] words unto you” (Proverbs 1:23). Otherwise, in rebellion and disobedience, we cannot see God’s face nor hear his voice or understand his words and invariably, He cannot answer our prayers. Whosoever hearkens unto the Lord shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil (Proverbs 1:33)
d) Ministers of God Must Intercede in Uprightness
Finally, ministers of God who dwell within or without bondage societies must not cease to pray for [the people and the nation]: [and shall] teach [them] the good and the right way”(1 Samuel 12:23). To do this effectively they should be blameless in the exploitation of the people. They should not take property, or defraud them or oppress them. They should not covet anyone’s silver or gold or clothing; and they should be guiltless from receiving bribes that will blind their eyes therewith to pervert God’s words (Numbers 16:15; 1 Samuel 12:3-4; Acts 20:33). God’s ministers who fail in this commitment sin against the Lord (1 Samuel 12:23).
5. FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Brethren, let us examine ourselves in light of the protestation of God. Let us endeavour in well doing to hate evil and love good, to protect the poor and the vulnerable and the God-fearing in bondage societies.
Let not the lusts of prosperity, sin and pride blind our eyes to the imminent destruction that is hid in them. Those who have done wickedly should not be afraid or turn away from God for he loves you though he may despise your ways.
God’s ministers should intercede for the people in uprightness. If we repent and cry unto the Lord, and admit our sins individually and collectively, He is faithful and merciful to deliver us and cleanse by the blood of his son Jesus, and perfect reign of the Holy Spirit.
Next week by grace, we shall examine the reign of the spiritual heavenly King – Christ “the King of kings”.
PRAYER
Almighty Father, thank you for your word and your faithfulness to all thy children.
Have mercy upon us O Lord according to thy loving kindness; and according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out our transgressions.
Dear Lord, heal thy people and thy nations and the kings and regimes, which thou hast made. Deliver them from the blindness or prosperity and sin and instill in their hearts a contrite spirit, to fear thy name. Turn thy children unto you O God and let the light of thy countenance, through the grace of your son Jesus Christ, shine upon them and give them peace.
I make this prayer in JESUS NAME. Have a blessed Sabbath!
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 03 November 2017.
