Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Kings 24-25; 2 Chronicles 36.
God’s judgment of the people of Judah happened in stages at the hands of the Babylonians. But even after it started, He still loved the people and sent messengers to them so that they would listen and repent.
“The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy. Therefore He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or infirm; He gave them all into his hand” (2 Chronicles 36:15-17).
Despite the fact that judgment was already happening against them, the people still refused to listen to the prophets. But more than just closing their ears for lack of interest, they actively mocked, despised, and scoffed at the message and the messengers of God.
God’s patience has a limit. In this case, the people who refused to listen were taken off into captivity. Though we do not stand to face a Babylonian captivity, we will still be judged and punished if we mock those who teach the truth and reject the word of God.
Once God’s patience runs out, we will have no hope; we will be destroyed. We must take advantage of our time now, when God still extends His patience and mercy toward us, so that we might correct anything that might be amiss in our lives and conform to His will.
Tomorrow’s reading: Habakkuk 1-3
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
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