exodus23/10>11

"plant and harvest your crops for six years, but let the land rest and lie fallow during the seventh year."

 

This seems like such a strange command, and honestly like one of those that God wouldn't be that upset about it they didn't keep it.  After all, it just seems quite silly if I'm honest.  It also would seem that Israel kept it- after all didn't they do pretty well at obeying God... for the most part?  Not so fast- "work the land for six years, and take the seventh as a Sabbath".  If I search the Bible I find to indication the nation of Israel every kept this command as a nation, on an ongoing basis.  Interesting... The result?  They eventually ended up in captivity... slaves of foreigners.  Lives were destroyed, families torn apart, homes in ruins.  What can I learn from this command and the fact that the blaring sound of silence regarding Israel's obedience is deafening?  Think about this... Israel neglected this command for 490 years.  How long were they in captivity?  70 years.  Seems as though that's one year for every 7 they missed.  The land finally got its rest and Israel's sin was finally dealt with .  Wow!  Now consider this: When is enough really enough?  Is God the God of second chances?  

 

I suggest God is the God of second chances... BUT... one more thing to think about.  How often are we told to forgive another... to give someone a "second change"?  70x7 Right?  How many is that?  490!  Sound familiar?  We must be careful... rather I must be careful... not to consider God's commands silly or that He really doesn't mind if I disobey some of them.  Is God the God of second chances?  Yes- consider David, Peter, Jonah, Nineveh...   Is God the God of second chances?  No- consider Achan, Ananias and Saphira, Sodom and Gomorrah...

 

Certainly God does give us multiple chances BUT this scripture reminds me that maybe sooner- maybe later- if sin persists unchecked and unrepented of it will destroy.  Nineveh got a second chance (see Jonah), but not a third (see Nahum).  

 

I must be watchful that I don't hold in contempt the grace of God.  I must realize sin comes at a high price.  I must learn to fear God- to treat Him with contempt is deadly.

 

Enough is Enough

exodus23/10>11

"plant and harvest your crops for six years, but let the land rest and lie fallow during the seventh year."

 

This seems like such a strange command, and honestly like one of those that God wouldn't be that upset about it they didn't keep it.  After all, it just seems quite silly if I'm honest.  It also would seem that Israel kept it- after all didn't they do pretty well at obeying God... for the most part?  Not so fast- "work the land for six years, and take the seventh as a Sabbath".  If I search the Bible I find to indication the nation of Israel every kept this command as a nation, on an ongoing basis.  Interesting... The result?  They eventually ended up in captivity... slaves of foreigners.  Lives were destroyed, families torn apart, homes in ruins.  What can I learn from this command and the fact that the blaring sound of silence regarding Israel's obedience is deafening?  Think about this... Israel neglected this command for 490 years.  How long were they in captivity?  70 years.  Seems as though that's one year for every 7 they missed.  The land finally got its rest and Israel's sin was finally dealt with .  Wow!  Now consider this: When is enough really enough?  Is God the God of second chances?  

 

I suggest God is the God of second chances... BUT... one more thing to think about.  How often are we told to forgive another... to give someone a "second change"?  70x7 Right?  How many is that?  490!  Sound familiar?  We must be careful... rather I must be careful... not to consider God's commands silly or that He really doesn't mind if I disobey some of them.  Is God the God of second chances?  Yes- consider David, Peter, Jonah, Nineveh...   Is God the God of second chances?  No- consider Achan, Ananias and Saphira, Sodom and Gomorrah...

 

Certainly God does give us multiple chances BUT this scripture reminds me that maybe sooner- maybe later- if sin persists unchecked and unrepented of it will destroy.  Nineveh got a second chance (see Jonah), but not a third (see Nahum).  

 

I must be watchful that I don't hold in contempt the grace of God.  I must realize sin comes at a high price.  I must learn to fear God- to treat Him with contempt is deadly.