Articles
A Quick Lesson In Failure
The books of the Old Testament are the record of Israel's rise and fall and restoration, and stand as examples from which we may still learn important lessons today. Paul reminds us, “whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4), and, noting the unfaithfulness of the Israelites, warns us, “all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition” (1 Cor. 10:11). We would do well to consider the Old Testament record as lessons about what God expects of His people, and what happens when they do not listen to Him.
While the entirety of the Old Testament record gives us a more complete picture of their history of unfaithfulness, we can see a quick summation in one verse, as found in the book of Zephaniah, that outlines the steps that led to their downfall. Let us learn from their example, and let us be admonished, when we see the reasons for their fall as noted in His condemnation of Jerusalem: “She has not obeyed His voice, she has not received correction; she has not trusted in the Lord, she has not drawn near to her God” (Zeph. 3:2).
Let us, as God's people today, learn from what they did and choose a different path that we might be pleasing to God, and not a reason for Him being displeased. Let us note each of the things noted in this verse, and note the alternative — the way to pleasing God.
Disobedience. In the simplest of terms, God's people went into captivity because they did not obey God. The writer of Hebrews noted this as one of the reasons many did not even enter into the Promised Land after being brought out of Egyptian bondage (Heb. 3:18), and it would be a continual problem amongst the Israelites up until the time Zephaniah wrote those words.
Despite the conclusions of even some professing believers today, obedience is something God has always demanded, and still demands of His people even today who profess to be followers of Christ. It is strangely ironic that some who claim they are followers of Christ do not actually follow Him because they do not obey His commands; how can one claim to be a follower if he doesn't obey Him? Obedience, again, is something even common sense tells us is to be expected.
In the well-known example of King Saul's disobedience regarding the command he had been given to “utterly destroy” the Amalekites and all they had (1 Sam. 15:3ff), we find King Saul initially told Samuel, upon seeing him, “I have performed the commandment of the Lord” (1 Sam. 15:13). But he had not! Later, Samuel would tell King Saul, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22). Obedience was more important than even the best sacrifice he could have offered. It is no different today!
If a man desires salvation today, it will not come without obedience to the will of God. The writer of Hebrews notes that when Christ died, “He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5:9). Paul likewise reminds us that when Christ comes again, He will come “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:8). Without obedience, Christ cannot be our Savior, and without obedience, we will suffer the wrath of the Father in the end. Obedience!
Not Receiving Correction. The second thing that contributed to Israel's downfall was that when God noted their disobedience, and the solution, they rejected God's counsel once again; they refused to be corrected! It is bad enough when one strays from truth, but how much worse when they refuse to listen to those who strive to get them back to where they need to be!
The prophet Jeremiah noted this same obstinance in God's people, noting, “You have stricken them, but they have not grieved; You have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to return” (Jer. 5:3). God Himself would remind them that He had sent famine, drought, plagues of locust to devour what did produce, armies that killed their young men, and sent some into captivity, “Yet you have not returned to Me” (Amos 4:6-11). They refused correction!
Let us learn from their example and not be the one who stubbornly refuses to be corrected when we are in the wrong. The wise writer tells us, “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid” (Prov. 12:1). It is foolish because, as he also writes, “he who refuses correction goes astray” (Prov. 10:17). Let us be willing to hear correction from God's word (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16) that we do not stray from the path to eternal life. Listen!
Not Trusting The Lord. The third thing noted was that they quit trusting in the Lord, but that was a pattern begun long before the day of Zephaniah. When Moses was bringing the Israelites out of Egypt and up to the edge of the Red Sea, the assembly complained that they had been brought out into the desert just to die (Exod. 14:11, 12). When they came to the edge of the Promised Land and sent the spies into the land, ten of the twelve brought back a bad report, and they again complained, and were ready to select a new leader and go back to Egypt (Num. 14:2-4)!
Of all people in the world, those who know God are the ones who should not doubt the Lord! The Israelites had been eyewitnesses to His great power, so there should have been no reason to doubt — but they did! We who know God best today [His people] should learn from their example and not lose that trust, as they did. We have an even more complete picture of the Lord and His power and abilities, and we have ample evidence that God is able to do what He has promised, and provide for us what we need. Jesus admonishes us, “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:31-33). Trust!
Not Drawing Near to the Lord. The last thing noted was that the people did not draw near to the Lord; their history shows that, time and time again, the people of God would go through a roller coaster of faithfulness and unfaithfulness, slowly drifting further and further from God. Eventually, God said 'Enough!' and left them to their own. It wasn't as if He had not warned them or not given them a second chance, though!
Today, God's people are admonished, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (Jas. 4:8), and we would do well to heed this. If we desire the favor and blessings of the Lord, we cannot expect such when we distance ourselves from Him and associate ourselves with the worldly. James also warned, “friendship with the world is enmity with God” (Jas. 4:4). God will not call us 'friend' if we desire the friendship of the world; a choice must be made. Draw near to the Lord and He will draw near to you. Failure is not an option! —— Steven Harper
