When I went through Kings, Samuel and Chronicles, it seemed like the same thing was repeated over and over. Israel was tempted by two things–sexual immorality and the disposal of children. That was the lure of the gods. Baal? Fertility god. Just have sex with the temple prostitutes to help promote fertility on earth. Asherah? Big-breasts goddess.
When I visited Hazor in Israel, walking through the ancient ruins we came across a giant phallis. As in the male organ (because I too had to ask).
And how about child sacrifice? Well there’s Molech. Sacrifice your children here and receive a blessing. We know that they played drums so loud so that the mothers wouldn’t turn back and change their mind.
Over and over and over and over it was these two same issues. Sexual liberty and child sacrifice. Sound familiar? Think of 80% of the issues today. In fact just this morning I had to look up a word as there is one more gender change word that I didn’t yet know. But “love is love,” men can get pregnant, sex is Ok as long as it is consenting adults,etc… etc… So many issues around sexual issues.
And the harming of children? Abortion everywhere. Two states have infanticide bills on the docket that its Ok to kill a baby after 28 days (not yet in full effect but getting close). And the now hysterectomies for children at major hospitals.
Nothing changes and it’s true in every culture. When a culture turns from God, they will find a way to promote sexual whatever and to bring death to the children.
As I was reading Isaiah 57 it came up yet again (v. 4-5).
“Who are you mocking?
At whom do you sneer
and stick out your tongue?
Are you not a brood of rebels,
the offspring of liars?
5 You burn with lust among the oaks
and under every spreading tree;
you sacrifice your children in the ravines
and under the overhanging crags.”
History never changes. Or should I say the lust of men never changes. We want to indulge our sexual lust and do away with children that are bothersome and a nuisance. It’s rather sick. And it’s a sign of rejecting God (v. 11).
“Whom have you so dreaded and feared
that you have not been true to me,
and have neither remembered me
nor taken this to heart?
Is it not because I have long been silent
that you do not fear me?
God’s silence was to allow for their repentance. But since they would not repent, he must act. And when he does, who will they turn to (v. 13)?
When you cry out for help,
let your collection of idols save you!
The wind will carry all of them off,
a mere breath will blow them away.
But whoever takes refuge in me
will inherit the land
and possess my holy mountain.”
But God says he is willing, wanting and waiting to heal and restore them (v. 17).
I was enraged by their sinful greed;
I punished them, and hid my face in anger,
yet they kept on in their willful ways.
Now here is another of their sins–“their sinful greed.” What did that look like? Perhaps hoarding possessions and wealth to the exclusion of meeting the needs of the poor and needy?
But there is great hope. The Lord WANTS to heal and restore (v. 18).
I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
He is waiting. He is looking to heal. But for those who persist in wickedness there are still problems (v. 21).
“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
Looking at this text there is so much to be said. Sexual immorality, harming of children, greed? Is there anything new under the sun? We have found ourselves right in the repeat of history.
The problem is that the last thing to go before a nation falls is sexual mores. I think in these times we have gone even further than preceding nations. Who gives hysterectomies to children? Or teaches them all sorts of disgusting filth?
The result is inevitable. God must bring judgment upon the earth. The only hope is corporate repentance on a mass scale. And even then he might just lessen the punishment but still continue on in what we rightfully deserve.
We have days of horror ahead for the world. And it will soon be coming. But if we repent there is hope…
But in the midst of our horror, God will still be there. He will still be waiting to hear and heal. That is his heart. Like a good Father he doesn’t want to bring judgment, but our actions sometimes necessitate it.