2 Chron. 36
Zedekiah was clearly given over to pride. He would not listen to God’s prophets and he rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar after having sworn his allegiance by God. So he wasn’t simply rebelling against a foreign king. He was rebelling against God, breaking the third commandment to not take God’s name in vain. “He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel” (2 Chron 36:13b). God gave Zedekiah and the people way more opportunity to repent and turn back to Him than I’m sure any human would have given in the face of such opposition. But they continued in their wicked ways “until there was no remedy” (2 Chron 36:16b).
This really demonstrates the depth and the breadth of God’s compassion. Vast as it is, however, it is not endless. God is holy and righteous and can’t, by nature, let sin go unatoned. This also demonstrates how fast pride holds to the heart of man once it has taken root there. The longer we let pride have its way, the deeper that root grows. The deeper the root, the harder it is to dig it out and let go of it. So I pray for a heart that is sensitive to God’s compassion that I might respond to it immediately. I want to recognize any pride in my heart when it is but a seed so I can more easily replace it with the humility that God desires.
Dan. 1-2
Daniel is another of the Bible’s great examples of humility. First, he and his friends kept themselves true to God without doing harm to those in charge of them. Then, when they faced death due to the king’s dream, Daniel responded “with prudence and discretion” (Dan 2:14a). He didn’t make a scene or try to play the hero. He just quietly did what he believed was right before God, first taking the task to God in prayer with help from his friends. When Daniel received his answer, he immediately gave thanks and praise God. Then, when revealing the answer to the king, he took no credit for the answer or for being any more worthy to have received it than anyone else. Lastly, when Daniel received honor in response, he did not forget his friends.
Daniel had so much more reason to be proud than did Zedekiah. Yet he was humble where Zedekiah was hopelessly lost in the pride of his own hard heart. Because of his humility, Daniel was able to boast in God, as Paul talks about in his epistles, because God was able to use him in mighty and miraculous ways.
Titus 1
Whew! Paul lays out a tall order for the elders of the church and has no kind words for those still clinging to Jewish law! What Paul says about each group can teach us a lot about living a Godly life.
I find it very interesting that Paul mentions the character of a man’s children in qualifying him for the position of elder. He basically says that the kids should live respectful, God-serving lives. I guess the idea is that if a man can’t even positively influence the lives of his own children for God, how can he be expected to do so for others outside of his household. Looking around today, though, it seems that the children are the least likely subjects to be positively influenced by their parents. The children of pastors, missionaries, and other church leaders are so often the most rebellious and self-indulgent people in the church! It makes me think today’s Church is somehow getting something wrong with this one.
I also marvel at Paul’s harsh words toward those he said are, “insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers” (Tit 1:10). He indicated that these people aren’t relying on faith in God. Instead, they look to “Jewish myths and the commands of the people who turn away from the truth” (Tit 1:14b). Looking at this comment through the lens of our current times, I’d say that such people were following the whims of religion and culture rather than Biblical truths. Paul told Titus to rebuke such people sharply. That’s not messing around. And I think this is something else that today’s Church is somehow getting wrong.
Of course, it’s important to note the spirit in which Paul said these harsh words. It was not to be condemning and condescending. The intent was, rather, to restore them to sound faith and prevent them from leading others astray as much as possible. But if people persist in paying lip service to God while living according to the ways of the world they are “detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work” (Tit 1:16b). They should not be considered a part of Christ’s body, the Church. It is also important to note that Paul is not talking about unbelievers here. His harsh words refer to those who lead God’s lambs to the slaughter in His name. And I am sure seeing plenty of that these days.