There Are Undesirable Consequences In Impiousness

Compiled by Brother L. Harrell


King Jehu eliminated Baal worship in Israel (Baal is a false god.  Concerning Jehu, see II Kings 10:28).  The Lord blessed Jehu’s succeeding generations up to four generations as a result of Jehu caring out the Lord’s desire [for judgement].  King Jehu destroyed King Ahab’s descendants as the Lord foretold in I Kings  21:29.

However, King Jehu, as many of us today, did not walk morally.  He ignored what the Lord has taught us when He wrote and gave us ten virtuous commandments.  Knowledge of sin has been given and we are accountable for heeding that knowledge.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Luke 12:48b For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

King Jehu though rewarded for his faithfulness concerning the house of Ahab, did not enjoy the rest (peace and prosperity) of the Lord due to his half-heartedness toward the Lord.  (See II. Kings 10:31-32) .  While the Lord has blessed many of us, many continue to stubbornly rebel against His voice, bucking against some of the most elementary truths.

The need to weekly reverence the Lord on His Blessed Day, a day that precedes the Law, is one of those simple truths.  Such stubborn rebellion is as witchcraft, wickedness and idol worship (See I Samuel 15:23 & Joshua 24:20).  While the Lord likely will not take away your blessing (He is not double minded), our rejecting His Word has negative implications.  (One can operate in a blessing from God, and yet have to deal with undesirable consequences at the same time).

Joshua 24:20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.

Though commissioned to lead Israel out of Egypt’s captivity, Moses learned the hard way as his life was threatened that he needs to fully obey the voice of God.  Because God has given us “marching orders”, et al., does not exclude the need to obey what He has already commanded.  (See Exodus 4:21-25).

After being appointed King over Israel, King Jeroboam feared that if the people in his kingdom went to Jerusalem to sacrifice as instructed by the Lord, the people would defect and kill Him.  (See I. Kings 12:26-27)  But, Jerusalem was the only place allowed by the Lord.  (See Deuteronomy 12:5-6, II. Kings 21:4, & Psalms 132:13).

Psalms 132:13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

King Jeroboam had two false gods made (golden calves) and placed them in two improper places for sacrifice.  The Lord warned about this sin in Deuteronomy 5:7-9 & Deuteronomy 12:13-14.

Deuteronomy 12:13-14 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest:  But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee.

One of the false gods was located near Jerusalem.  The people congregated in the likeness / similitude of the times the Lord appointed for His people, imitating what was proper, yet falling short.  Additionally, the appointed priesthood was imitated (substituted / false redemption).

Many have done as King Jeroboam, choosing to substitute what God has already ordained (due to fear of man’s repercussions).  We need to take heed to the Lord’s appointed days, spending time with the Lord on His Sabbath and not treating His Holy Day as a common day.  Failure to do so will likely result in us not being able to enjoy our blessings as we ought (as King Jehu did not have rest).  Failure to repent from sin will result in Hell enlarging itself on your behalf.  I recently heard someone say "Hell is free".  (No determined applicant will be denied).  We must obey the Law of Christ, giving honor where honor is due, offending none.

1 John 2:6   He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Revised:  4/14/04

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