Scripture Passage
Scripture Focus
“They will throw their money in the streets,
tossing it out like worthless trash.
Their silver and gold won’t save them
on that day of the LORD’s anger.
It will neither satisfy nor feed them,
for their greed can only trip them up.
(Ezekiel 7:19 NLT)
Observation
How reluctant God is to bring judgment! How hesitant God is to destroy what remains of the once glorious nation of Israel!
I marvel at the greatness of God, who does what He wants with the nations of the world and does not require humanity’s cooperation to accomplish it! But I’m thinking, today, as I read the words of one more prophet…one more servant (among many) sent by God to warn His people of impending judgment…of how very much God does not want to “drop the hammer.”
Still—as a just God bound by covenant to Israel…a covenant that includes both the promise of blessing for obedience and the assurance of punishment for rebellion…God ultimately has no choice. He must be true to Himself and to His covenant with Israel. And perpetual rejection of His warnings serves only to increase the intensity of coming judgment. There is now very little hope for anyone. Indeed, as judgment is poured out…
“They will throw their money in the streets,
tossing it out like worthless trash.
Their silver and gold won’t save them
on that day of the LORD’s anger.
It will neither satisfy nor feed them,
for their greed can only trip them up.
(Ezekiel 7:19 NLT)
With all the warnings these days of impending trouble for the United States of America…and with all the pundits pushing preparation for the troubled days to come (“buying gold” at the top of the list)…it’s interesting that God warns the remnant in Israel that even “their silver and gold won’t save them on that day of the Lord’s anger.”
It will neither satisfy nor feed them,
for their greed can only trip them up.
(Ezekiel 7:19 NLT)
Three observations:
1. It doesn’t matter how prepared you might try to be, you’ll not fend off judgment that God sees as necessary.
2. Neither “being prepared” nor “not being prepared” seem to be as significant in survival as purity of heart. For these Israelites it’s not their lack of preparation but “their greed” that trips them up.
3. Purity of heart, then, might be a characteristic God could honor in time of trouble, perhaps by supplying for the distressed what even silver or gold cannot.
“Lord, even as I live circumspectly in light of current realities, let my first and greatest attention be on You. Help me to live as one whose hope is in You alone.”
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