But did King Hezekiah and the people kill him for saying this? No, they turned from their sins and worshiped the LORD. They begged him for mercy. Then the LORD changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had pronounced against them. So we are about to do ourselves great harm.” [Jeremiah 26.19]
When the leadership of Jerusalem held Jeremiah on trial for prophesying destruction, some of the "wise old men" reminded those leaders of a previous exact same circumstance (during Hezekiah's reign) involving the prophet Micah. It is amazing how history repeats itself.
It is worth noting that "wise old men" made this statement and it was a statement about the merciful and forgiving character of God. They were fully aware that repentance on their part could change the very mind of God.
In fact, the whole of the Old Testament repeatedly describes Israel's relationship with God including their victories and their defeats all relative to their humility and repentance or lack thereof. The Old Testament is an amazing compilation of these stories with one theme seen constant throughout: God forgives those who repent.
Some of the worst prophecies were averted or at very least delayed when Israel genuinely repented. The sad truth of the Bible however is that Israel was reluctant and slow to repent most of the time - showcased by the number of wicked kings they had compared to good kings. How sad is that?
Here, however, is a question: how might Israel's history have been different if they had truly been and remained MORE repentant?
That's an excellent question for us today: how might the story of our lives play out if we are MORE repentant?
Sadly, few know pure humility before God. Precious few have ever genuinely humbled themselves before God and seen His pure powerful protective Providence upon their lives. And, what makes the scenario even more sad is the fact that Jesus made forgiveness even more attainable through our faith. No longer are we bound to all the rituals and sacrifices described in the Old Testament. Instead. we are simply to believe ...after we repent.
You see, there is one thing that has not changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament: the requirement of repentance. Oh yeah, and one more thing: God's amazing grace and mercy!
How much harm are we doing ourselves by not repenting and believing? This story is being written right now.
Father, forgive me for my hard and stubborn heart. Forgive us as "the Church" for our refusal to humble ourselves before You in repentance. Forgive us as a nation for arrogantly ignoring our history as "One Nation Under God..." and walking in repentant humility before You.
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