Friday, July 26, 2013

Don't Stone the Messenger


I Don't Want to Hear It !!
courtesy photobucket.com
 
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, his brothers 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 people in the congregation were 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 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 are coming at us through the gate of the ear or eye and they 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.

This post is shared with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays
 
Also Shared at: Week End Brew with Barbie 

13 comments:

Denise said...

God speaks to us frequently, but only when we are listening. I wonder how God feels when He is trying to communicate something important to us, and we are not listening? Too many times we hear only what we want to hear!

Great post Hazel; blessings for a joyful weekend!
Denise

Sharon said...

Yes, Hazel. I understand. We cannot be *selective* listeners when we truly desire to hear from God. Some of the things He says will be comforting - some of them will be convicting. But, we must keep our spiritual *ears* open - for if we stop listening to the still, small voice, we will lose our way.

GOD BLESS!

Sharon said...

Yes, Hazel. I understand. We cannot be *selective* listeners when God speaks. Sometimes what He says will be comforting, sometimes it will be convicting. But we must keep our spiritual *ears* attuned to Him - for if we stop listening for the still, small voice, we will lose our way.

GOD BLESS!

Wise Hearted said...

Oh my how often I have had a stiff neck especially when God is using my husband to teach me something. Good convicting post Hazel.

Aritha V. said...

I taste your compassion. Once I was such a obstinate sinner. But God molding me into a vessel of honor. Although I sometimes doubt. Because I still see so many sins in my life.

In summer I blog here: http://sieraadvooras.blogspot.nl/

dan black said...

Great post and thoughts. It can be difficult to remain humble when God or people are teaching us something we need to learn.

Floyd said...

Wise words of reminder, Hazel. Stiff necked people are the dishonor of our Father. May we bring Him honor.

Kim @ Pouring Down Like Rain said...

Great post, Hazel. We are to listen to messages from God and need to make sure they are in fact from God. They come in all shapes and sizes. I think we can all be a little stubborn sometimes. Kim

Annesphamily said...

God always speaks to us. We need to pay attention and listen carefully to what He has to say. I think stubbornness is universal. Good message. Thank you for sharing.

Wanda said...

I'm thankful that God often repeats His messages. Some times life gets awfully noisy.

Cathy said...

Thanks for visiting my blog, and for that message. Blessings ~

Melanie Wilson said...

Hazel, you're absolutely right. I hadn't thought about how similar our behavior is to stoning the prophets. What a great insight. Thanks so much for stopping by the Inspired Day this weekend.

Musings of A Minister said...

Timely, much needed message. Thank you for posting this.