Stone the Messenger

I don’t want to hear it!! I’ll do as I please! Don’t tell me what to do!

This is the way some people act when the messenger brings something they do not want to accept.

Young children should be instructed to listen to their elders, but when they are older, they often decide to go against what they have been taught. It is just plain old fashioned rebellion and stubbornness which is in the heart of many of us at times.

The Prophets and messengers in the Bible were often censured and criticized, and sometimes stoned and killed.

The people did not always appreciate the words “REPENT,” turn from your wicked ways and serve the Lord. They had planned to sin, and no one was going to mess with their decisions or their lifestyle.

As a young lad, Joseph had dreams of grandeur that were opposed by his brothers. In fact his dreams caused much family friction, and the brothers hated Joseph. One ill-fated day, they decided to kill him because of his message.

Joseph’s brothers declared; “Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.”

In the book of Numbers, Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, tore their clothes because the people would not receive their message - - - The congregation was so angry with their words that they challenged everyone to pick up rocks and to stone Joshua and Caleb to death. God stopped their foolishness by appearing as the “Glory of the LORD” in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.

I am reminded that at church not all the messages preached by the minister are received by everyone. Some of the congregation will listen and receive, while others are not willing to hear, and are not ready to apply the ministry lesson to their lives.

Not all words from God are heard or read at church. God has many methods to get his point across. Some messages coming at us through the gate of the ear or eye cut across the grain, and pull up the hairs on the back of our necks. Ouch!

In today’s world we do not stone the messenger, or kill them, but we can stop up our ears and not pay attention. Some will say, La, La, La, I can’t hear you!!

If some of these Words from the Lord are coming your way by what ever means, and the Holy Spirit is urging you to make some changes, please do not hesitate to HEAR His Voice. Listen carefully and then by all means obey.

Proverbs 29:1The man that with a stiff neck despises him that reproves him, shall suddenly be destroyed: and health shall not follow him.