Holger W. Neubauer

      At the time the prophet Ezekiel heralded God's message of truth to the children of Israel, there were many problems facing the nation of Israel that are contemporary with the problems facing present day society. The nation of Israel had economical problems, sociological problems and political problems that threatened to undergird their society.

      But in the midst of the diverse anxieties that Israel was facing, there was still a more basic problem that was at the root of all their other perplexities. Though they had economic problems, their basic problem was not an economical one. Though they had political misfortune, their basic problem was not of a political nature.  Even with Israel's sociological problem, their primary hindrance was not a sociological one. Their basic and most prevalent problem was of a spiritual nature. Their problem was sin!

      God, being omniscient, knew all the anxieties and turmoil they were facing within their society.  Yet, knowing Israel had economical problems. God did not send them an economist.  God knew of Israel's political problems, yet, He did not send a politician. He was well aware of their social problems, yet, He did not send a sociologist. God sent a preacher and commanded that preacher to herald the message He gave him. Ezekiel was commanded to convict the nation of Israel of their sin in a decisive manner. In Ezekiel 2:5, we find this instruction given to Ezekiel by Jehovah, "And they, whether they hear, or whether thy forbear, (for they are a rebellious housed yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them." Ezekiel was to make the message clear and distinct. God willed that Israel would know His will and be convicted of their sin.

      There is a principle set forth in Proverbs 14:34 that has application for every generation of people that have dwelt on the earth. The scripture says, "Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." Sin has always been, and will always be, the most destructive element in a nation of people. That is why all men must have an understanding of what sin is.

      In Jeremiah's time, sin had taken control of the people to the extent that they were hardened by it. Jeremiah 6:15 tells us they could not blush at even heinous sin. "Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush." When society reaches the point they cannot blush over sin, there is little hope for the people. Jeremiah 17:1 says, "The sin of Judah is written with a pin of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars." Sin had become a fixed part of their personality. Their conscience had become seared as with a hot iron (2 Timothy 4:1-4). The problem with the people was sin! That is why God instructed His word to be preached in a direct, forthright manner. The only hope for any society is to heed God's word and repent of sin. 

      Today, society has devolved to the point that sin is rampant and people in general have little respect for the word of God. People are using various standards to determine how to live. Humanism, Romanticism, Hedonism have all placed man as his own measure and disregarded God and His word. This has caused confusion and conflict. The same thing happened in Jeremiah's time. We read in Jeremiah 3:25, "We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God." All of Judah had turned from the living God and Jeremiah instructs us of the confusion that had covered them. When society departs from God, there can only be confusion which will ultimately end in destruction.

      We, like the Athenians of old, boast of an eloquent society. The United States, like Athens, has considered itself liberated and educated. But, in the midst of this so-called refined culture, we find every sin that passion could prompt or imagination could conceive.  Romans1 teaches about a people that gave God up in their knowledge. Romans 1:22 says, "Professing themselves to be wise they became fools." Then in verse 26, "And for this cause. God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise the men, leaving the natural use of women burned in their lust one toward another." When people turn from God and have no respect for His authority, sin becomes a yoke to the people and society, who have turned away from God. Let God's people unite and the preachers of the gospel stand firmly and reprove, rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering, because, we are living in a time when people will not endure sound doctrine. !

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Wrong Conclusion

Brent Arnold

      While abroad, a man from China purchased a powerful   microscope.  Returning, he looked at contaminated rice through the microscope and saw tiny living creatures crawling all over it. He did not like what the microscope revealed; rice was his favorite meal. What did he do? He smashed the microscope to pieces! This may sound ridiculous, but how often does this happen. Too often, we can allow the way we "feel" about something to cloud our vision to the truth. The Bible offers this warning, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Pro. 14:12). Thus, there can be great danger in trusting what seems to be right. There is great danger in "going with one's gut" in all things. So then, we must allow the word of God to direct our thoughts in all things.

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