Meddling With God

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Jeremiah 47-49:33; 2 Kings 23:28-30; 2 Chronicles 35:20-27 and Hebrews 2.

In the OT readings, we read of the tragic end of a great king - Josiah, at a relatively young age of 39 (c.f. 2Ki 22:1). Such a fine young man who sought to serve God with all his heart, all his soul and all his might (2Ki 23:25), yet fell in a moment of folly, largely due to pride. It is interesting to note that king Necho of Egypt was given the words from the mouth of God (2Chr 35:22). We noted in Rom 9 that God will manifest His Power through whom He wills. This is another classic example of God at work. What a contrast Necho was from his predeccesor (Ramesses II), who had to also become a vessel demonstrating God's power, albeit in a much less pleasant way!
Short of reading too much into the text, I believe it's still a lesson worthy for us to learn of. When we are confronted with right judgments, do we take a step back, humble ourselves and evaluate it's value or do we just brush it off in our own pride, especially when it comes from someone we perceive to be "inferior". It could be a younger brother/sister, it could be our own children, it could be our spouse, and yea even an erring brother! We are brought back to the example in Mat 7. Far too often, we forget that regardless of whether someone had a wrong motive, the "mote" had to be removed. The fact that someone "lesser" pointing out our mistake does not make the mistake any less, if it's true in the first place!

But the basic lesson here is that of being humble always, even in times of success and yea even our Christian "achievements". Even Paul, declared, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1Co 10:12) and was mindful to keep on his toes (c.f. 1Co 9:24-27) and who was indeed tried of God so that he may not be "exalted above measure" (2Co 12:7). Indeed, we need to take heed that we not exalt ourselves to the point where, as Necho spoke of, to meddle with God (2Chr 35:21). A sobering picture is given in Heb 10:26-31, as we shall read later in Hebrews, for us Christians of this constant need to be on our guard and toes and not fall into pride and sin, thinking we can "test" the limits of God. We recall Jesus' great defence against the devil, when he tempted Jesus to throw himself off the temple roof (Mat 4:7). Let not any of us think that we can "rein in the horse before the cliff" as the Chinese saying goes, but rather just remove ourselves as far as we can from it!

Don't meddle with God. Trust and obey. For there's no other way!

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul

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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. ~ John 21:24,25