For years, God has been challenging many of our mind-sets, religious traditions, and cultural biases to bring us fully into His eternal plan. In a previous post I wrote: History repeats itself in cycles of sin. Everything that does not come from faith is sin (Roman 14:23). Sin pulls people away from what is right, not realizing this has an effect on their life, their family, their community, their nation, and relationship with God. Join me on this journey of discovery as I seek to understand and share the Father’s heart on issues that impact many nations. “Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)
The nation of Israel often found themselves straying away from God’s plan. The Book of Judges reveals a sad and turbulent period in Israel’s history. Judges shows the failure of Israel to conquer their enemies, claim their inheritance, and the huge effect that this had on their life and relationship with God. Throughout this entire book, we see a repeated cycle, one that we will call ‘The cycle of sin’ (Jesusplusnothing.com).
Judges 2:18-19 ‘Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.’
Hebrews 3:10, “So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ Time and time again we see God calling Israel out for their sinfulness – ‘Then the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD…’ We see a repeated cycle of sin, bondage, repentance, devotion, followed by sin and bondage again that would last for years.
This same message applies to God’s people today. I believe God raises up prophetic voices to call the people back to Him. Similar to Israel, we have followed these same cycles of sin or unrighteousness. Disobedience to God’s law is sin which leads to warning, then punishment or judgment. After judgment comes repentance or return and restoration. He says, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Today, when you hear God’s voice, don’t harden your hearts as the children of Israel did when they rebelled against God.
Blessings,
Dr. Francine
BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 