March 17: Spurned!

Judges 2:7, Joshua 24:31, Judges 2:10- 23, 3:1-31

Judges 3:1-6

Amplified Bible (AMP)

3 Now these are the nations which the Lord left to prove Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not previously experienced war in Canaan;

² It was only that the generations of the Israelites might know and be taught war, at least those who previously knew nothing of it.

³ The remaining nations are: the five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who dwelt on Mount Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to the entrance of Hamath.

⁴ They were for the testing and proving of Israel to know whether Israel would listen and obey the commandments of the Lord, which He commanded their fathers by Moses.

⁵ And the Israelites dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites;

⁶ And they married their daughters and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

Well, it's obvious Israel failed the test! 

I had a conversation with a friend recently about the question: Is the world we live in worse than the world was in the Bible days?

I don't really think so! These children of Israel were unbelievable! God Himself talked to them all the time, and warned them all the time. He gave them chance after chance after chance! And yet they embraced the heathen nations around them and not only that, they went a step farther and served their gods????? 

I'm still shocked every time I read about these people. 

I don't want to be that nation! The nation who ON PURPOSE, turns their back on their incredible, amazing God!!! I am awestruck at God's unconditional love! And yet they SPURNED His love over and over again.

Webster's definition of spurn is reject with distain. Synonyms are despise, scorn and kick.

Yes, spurn is a perfect word to describe Israel's treatment of God. And yet He just kept on loving. All the way to the Cross. And He keeps on loving those of us who continue to spurn His love. "Dear God, please forgive me for the times I spurned Your love by turning away and worshipping other idols and following after my flesh. I repent not only for myself, but for others You have placed in my path. People I have grown to care deeply for. I watch them turn to worldly pleasure trying to ease their pain, when only you can calm their troubled soul. If they would only let You in!!! Please forgive them, Oh Father! Please continue to draw them to Yourself just as you drew the children of Israel. Thank You for dying on the cross for the very people who spurned Your love. I worship You for You alone are worthy. In Jesus precious name, AMEN."