I first want to take note of the very first verse in this chapter on complacency. When I read and study the Bible I try to look at things through relevancy to the here and now. I know that there is a plethora of richness in the history of the time in which this took place, but is it relevant to today?
I say OHHH Yes! I meet and talk with so many that think that it was just for that day and time,that it makes for a good "story". This is where I see the complacency in today's society and that it is relevant to today and that we must learn from the past.
"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
1 Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!
Are we becoming like the North and South kingdoms? "Complacent in Zion" and "Secure on Mount Samaria"?
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This Country considers itself a great kingdom in the world, are we so great that we can't learn from other great kingdoms that fell?
2
.... Are they better off than your two kingdoms? Is their land larger than yours?
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Are we so arrogantly confident in our Greatness as a Country and self reliance, that we have forgotten God, and may be soon approaching a "reign of terror"?
3 You put off the evil day and bring near a reign of terror.
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Have we become a Country of hedonism, just seeking the lustful desire of our hearts?
4 You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves.
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So drunken with our own self pleasures that we drink by the "bowlfuls"? With not even the slightest concerned of our impending doom?
6 You drink wine by the bowlful
and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.
7 Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.
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Are we listening to the warning from our Prophet in the pulpit? That the Lord detest and abhors the "pride of Jacob", and that He will "deliver up the city and everything in it"?
8 The Sovereign LORD has sworn by himself— the LORD God
Almighty declares: "I abhor the pride of Jacob and detest his fortresses; I will deliver up the city and everything in it."
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Will we be one of those who says "Hush" in fear of the fact we were one of the ones that were overlooked in the destruction?
9 If ten men are left in one house, they too will die.
10 And if a relative who is to burn the bodies comes to carry them out of the house and asks anyone still hiding there, "Is anyone with you?" and he says, "No," then he will say, "Hush! We must not mention the name of the LORD."
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Will it be our Country that is the "great house" that is smashed "into pieces", and our homes "into bits"?
11 For the LORD has given the command, and he will smash the great house into pieces and the small house into bits.
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Do we consider ourselves immune to disaster, over our great might? Are we rejoicing over "nothing" and falsely imagining we have strength "by our own strength"?
13 you who rejoice in the conquest of Lo Debar [ Nothing] and say, "Did we not take Karnaim [horns/strength ] by our own strength?"
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Do we want to be as Israel? Lead into slavery, into the bitter experiences of what Israel suffered in Egypt?
14 For the LORD God Almighty declares, "I will stir up a nation against you, O house of Israel, that will oppress you all the way from Lebo [ from the entrance to] Hamath to the valley of the Arabah."
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I ask all these questions to myself as this chapter did invoke the thought, where is this Country headed?
I pray everyday for leaders and the people of this Great Country, that we will return to what made it Great,
"One Nation Under God"
I Know as REAL MEN, you do the same..Thanks Guys!
Larry Birchfield
