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Numbers 21:4-9
On their way to the Promised Land the Hebrews sinned and suffered God’s judgment (verses 4-6). Their predicament is similar to what America is currently experiencing.
How does a nation get back on the right path and enjoy God’s blessings again?
THERE MUST BE REPENTANCE OF SIN, v 7 “we have sinned”
THERE MUST BE FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE, v 8-9 see John 3:14-15
According to R.T. Kendall God uses five kinds of judgment. They are as follows: retributive, redemptive, natural, silent and gracious.
The judgmental person wants to help other people. “Let me remove the speck from your eye” (Matthew 7:4). But unfortunately, this earnest concern for others can easily lead to criticism, a negative spirit, and an overall bad attitude.
The judgmental person ignores their own faults. They “do not consider the plank in [their] own eye” (Matthew 7:30). Self-improvement is painful. Therefore, instead of dealing with their own issues, the judgmental person focuses on the faults of others.
The judgment of the judgmental person will boomerang back on them (Matthew 7:1-2, 12). There is a principle all throughout scripture, that “what you do comes back on you” (Obadiah 15). So if for no other reason, avoid criticism in order to protect yourself.
More and more believers, myself included, believe the end of the world is approaching. Prophecy signs are everywhere and common sense tells us the world is getting more dangerous.
What should we do? How should we prepare? You and I may say, "We don't know what to do." We can find comfort from the example of Noah. He too was on the cusp of earthly destruction.
As recorded in Genesis 7, God does three acts of kindness for Noah.
In these uncertain days, I am trusting God. If there are drastic steps to take, God will direct.
This world is hurting. Every sector of American life is coming unhinged. Consider the following:
The only One we can count on is the Lord Jesus. He is the only reliable One we can always trust. "All other ground is sinking sand."
The central character of the Bible is Jesus and in the Old Testament we see shadows of Him as an ark, a lamb, or rock. In the book of Esther, Jesus is portrayed as a woman.
WE SEE JESUS PROMOTED, 2:17
Esther, a Jewish orphan, wins a beauty contest and becomes queen of Persia.
In the same way Jesus was a servant, obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross; therefore, God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. And just as Queen Esther was promoted to the royal court, so Jesus has now ascended to the right hand of the Father.
Esther was promoted because of her beauty, but Jesus was exalted because of His obedience.
This was Esther's first experience with royalty, but for Jesus it was a reunion.
This exciting similarity is heightened when we realize we are "in Christ" and identify with him in His death, resurrection, and ascension. God "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:6).
WE SEE JESUS PERSECUTED, 3:13
Haman is enraged at Mordecai and wants to exterminate all Jews. It is ironic this took place in ancient Persia which is modern-day Iran. Anti-semitism is an persistent ugly irrational hatred of God's people inspired from hell and rooted in the curse (Gen. 3:15). Satan hates Israel because they are the ancestoral people of Jesus and he hates Christians because they are the spiritual descendents of Jesus. This puts us in the cross-hairs (2 Tim. 3:12, Matt. 24:9)!
WE SEE JESUS PRAYING, 4:11-16 & 5:2-3
If Haman's plot to destroy the Jews was to be stopped, Esther had to talk to the king. Yet going into the king's presence uninvited was strickly forbidden. Despite personal danger, Esther summoned her courage and advocated for her people in much the same way Jesus now advocates for us (1 Jn. 2:1). The Bible says Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father where He ever lives to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25).
Again the similarity between Christ and Esther is made even more special when we realize that because we are "in Christ" we too can "come boldly before the throne of grace."
Mordecai appealed to the King through his cousin Esther. Likewise, when we pray in Jesus' name we appeal to the Father through our Savior Jesus Christ.
It is not an overstatement to say that Esther's intercession changed the course of human history. If Haman had eradicated the Jews there would be no Jesus, Bible, or church. We have similar intercessory potential as we appeal to the Father. Christians should never approach God as a flat-lander but as a cloud-walker since they too are seated in the heavenlies!
God is judging America, but as we call on to the Lord we can save this country. Mordecai told Esther she ascended for such a special moment (Esther 4:14) . Perhaps we are alive now for a similar intercessory opportunity.
Samaria, the capital of Israel, fell in 722 BC to the Assyrians.
God brought judgment on His people and there is no doubt why. 2 Kings 17:7-17 mentions five specific sins that offended God. America better pay attention here because the similarities are frightening.
This should lead us to confession and repentance. God is merciful. There is still time to turn back to God. But take note, if the Hebrews were not above judgment, neither are Americans.
Sometime in the future God is going to judge the world. Until then we have to be patient and wait on the Lord. When God is ready He will judge everyone. In the meantime, God does not need our help in judging individuals. Our concern should be to faithfully carry out our gospel responsibilities (1 Cor. 4:2). We are servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1). Ultimately everyone will answer to God. In light of this future judgment here are three convictions to hold onto.
I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOU TO JUDGE ME (1 Cor. 4:3a)
I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR ME TO JUDGE ME (1 Cor. 4:3b-4)
I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR ME TO JUDGE YOU (1 Cor. 4:5).
Current news reports contain numerous examples of man's foolishness. I will not try to list the many preposterous activities now commonplace, because this blog is not about culture but about God. Yet our relationship (or lack of relationship) with God always has ripple effects that spill over into everyday life. Suffice to say, as a nation we are acting stupid and this is affecting our economy, morals, government, military, fashion, and entertainment.
So why has America gone bonkers? Have we suddenly lost our mind?
The current illogical behaviour in America is nothing less than the judgment of God upon our nation.
In Deuteronomy 28 when discussing the curses of sin, Moses said that when God judges a people for their sin He will turn them over to foolishness.
This makes sense because when one turns away from the Light, they turn to darkness. And when one turns away from the Truth, they turn to error.
America's problem is not a political or economic problem, it is a spiritual one. Only Jesus can pull us out of this self-destructive craziness. Spiritual awakening is our only hope. We must turn away from sin and turn back to God. Anything less will ensure more foolishness.
For additional study: Learn about confusion in the end times at 2 Thess. 2:9-12.