Humility Before God’s Word: The Error of Ignoring His Messengers
2 Chronicles 36:12
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.
Even kings should be subservient to God’s Word! But here is a case where King Zedekiah was unwilling to humble himself before God’s choice mouthpiece at that time, the prophet Jeremiah. In essence, he was rebellious in his heart, because the following verse starts out by saying, “And he also rebelled…” It is difficult to humble yourself under the authority of God and His Word when your heart is full of rebellion. Much like we see today, God’s man was treated as any other ordinary man, with any other ordinary speech; the only problem with that was that this man Jeremiah was “speaking from the mouth of the LORD.” He wasn’t an average guy with an average speech. Rather, he was a messenger sent on behalf of God Himself, representing His Word and His wishes to King Zedekiah’s nation.
Too often, however, just like King Zedekiah, we look at the package God’s Word comes in (aka messenger), and disregard the message because we do not like the messenger. However, if we truly want to honor God, we will also respect the messenger He sends our way who speaks on His behalf. Obviously, we are to worship no one but God Himself; but, if God sends someone our way to speak to us on His behalf (and He will), then we are not to allow the messenger to distract us from hearing what he is actually saying.
What he is saying is way more important than he himself, but when we mistreat God’s messenger, God takes it personally. So, even though the message is the most important aspect, that doesn’t mean we can simply disrespect the man who delivered the message. In fact, God expects us to receive His Words, while simultaneously respecting His messenger.
Now, what does this mean for us? It simply means that when God sends anyone to us with a message we know is from God Himself, we are to be humbly respectful and thankful to the messenger, and most importantly heed the message with the intent of implementing the truths therein that will transform our lives. Perhaps the greatest compliment you can give God’s messenger is when you receive and apply his message to your heart and life. Can YOU do this gladly?
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.
Even kings should be subservient to God’s Word! But here is a case where King Zedekiah was unwilling to humble himself before God’s choice mouthpiece at that time, the prophet Jeremiah. In essence, he was rebellious in his heart, because the following verse starts out by saying, “And he also rebelled…” It is difficult to humble yourself under the authority of God and His Word when your heart is full of rebellion. Much like we see today, God’s man was treated as any other ordinary man, with any other ordinary speech; the only problem with that was that this man Jeremiah was “speaking from the mouth of the LORD.” He wasn’t an average guy with an average speech. Rather, he was a messenger sent on behalf of God Himself, representing His Word and His wishes to King Zedekiah’s nation.
Too often, however, just like King Zedekiah, we look at the package God’s Word comes in (aka messenger), and disregard the message because we do not like the messenger. However, if we truly want to honor God, we will also respect the messenger He sends our way who speaks on His behalf. Obviously, we are to worship no one but God Himself; but, if God sends someone our way to speak to us on His behalf (and He will), then we are not to allow the messenger to distract us from hearing what he is actually saying.
What he is saying is way more important than he himself, but when we mistreat God’s messenger, God takes it personally. So, even though the message is the most important aspect, that doesn’t mean we can simply disrespect the man who delivered the message. In fact, God expects us to receive His Words, while simultaneously respecting His messenger.
Now, what does this mean for us? It simply means that when God sends anyone to us with a message we know is from God Himself, we are to be humbly respectful and thankful to the messenger, and most importantly heed the message with the intent of implementing the truths therein that will transform our lives. Perhaps the greatest compliment you can give God’s messenger is when you receive and apply his message to your heart and life. Can YOU do this gladly?
~ Pastor Gary Caudill