The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

GOD’S CLEAR WARNING

God used the prophets to warn the people of their moral bankruptcy and their need to repent and return to God. The exile of the people of Judah, recounted in 2 Kings 24 – 25, had long ago been prophesied to the people (Dt 28:49 – 52). Even before the Israelites inherited the land, they were warned that they would be driven from the land if they did not obey God and keep his commands. Interestingly, the Israelites’ fate was foreshadowed by their own conquest of the promised land. God told his people to drive out the nations in order to inherit the land, warning that Israel would face a similar fate themselves if they disobeyed (Dt 4:25 – 27).

Prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah foresaw the disaster that awaited the people of God due to their sin. Years earlier, Isaiah prophesied that God would use the Babylonian nation to purge his people from the land (Isa 39:5 – 8). Likewise, Jeremiah warned the nation of their impending time in captivity and later summarized the process by which the people were carried into exile (Jer 25:8 – 14; 52:1 – 30).

These prophetic warnings served two purposes. First, they demonstrated that God was providentially in control of all things. As an all-knowing and all-powerful God, he gave the prophets insight into the exact details that would not be fulfilled until much later. Second, they showed that God had left his people clear warnings. God did not simply let his people pursue the wayward longings of their hearts, but he continually raised up individuals who would urge them to return to him before it was too late. Sadly, they did not listen.

The same is true today. God is still perfectly in charge of all things and will accomplish his good purpose in this world (Ro 8:28). This purpose will include the judgment of God against sin. However, God has not left people without warning or without hope. The Word of God, the people of God and the Spirit of God are all at work in the world, reminding people to turn to God before they have to face his judgment (Mt 3:2; Lk 5:32; Jn 16:8; 1Jn 1:8 – 9).

Jesus, thank you for being in control of the circumstances in my life. Help me to listen to the Holy Spirit and to your Word as you guide me toward righteousness. Amen.