From time immemorial there are evil enforcers who always want to thwart the plan of God and impose their will. Just as it happened in Genesis 11:1-9 when the whole earth had one language, that the people encouraged themselves to make bricks, burned them thoroughly and build themselves a city with a tower whose top reaches to heaven. But can man impose himself on God ? Certainly not! They started and God came down to see what they were doing. He allowed them to carry out their scheme to an extent, everything went on well and it was as if they were prospering until God decided to disperse them because in the evil imagination of their heart they were poised to enforce their will and desire on the Almighty as if He was their mate or equal. Their evil alliance was eventually foiled because God saw their unity and devotedness to carry out their mission (verse 6). He therefore confused their language and scattered them all over the world so they cease to build (verses 7-9). Also, in the bible, when David sinned by ordering the numbering of the children of Israel that plague broke out. But he will not impose himself on Ornan though it was needful for him to use his threshing floor for raising an altar, because there the angel of God appeared and commanded Gad the prophet to instruct him to erect it. And despite the fact that Ornan saw the angel too (1Chronicles 21:18-20), yet, David will not forcefully take his threshing floor from him but he offered to pay for it (1Chronicles 21:22). David bought it for a full price, and there he built an altar, consequently, God accepted his offering, fire fell and the plague stopped (1Chroncles 21:23-27). When everything is done orderly and accordingly, good result merges. However, a deliberate act of flagrant disobedience by walking in crooked ways, usurping, manipulating, cheating and treading devious path will always result in terrible ending.
Whenever the enemy enforces his evil agenda , it is often with an intent to subvert, alter or infiltrate the original plan and counsel of God. Jacob asked for Esau's birthright in an exchange for red stew (food). He placed a demand on him for what was most precious in life. It was so obvious that he actually wanted to usurp the rightful position of his brother because he could have asked for something else instead of his brother's birthright in exchange for food. Unfortunately, Esau could not carefully discern the evil plot of his twin brother who wanted to confiscate and dispossess him of his rightful inheritance. But he foolishly consented to Jacob's weird demand because he was desperate to satisfy his temporary hunger (immediate need), he relinquishes that which was his from birth to his cunning and stealthy brother. Jacob could have even given Esau food for free (Genesis 25:29-31) but he said to him only on this one condition can you get this red stew and that is "sell me your birth-right as of this day" What a wickedness of an evil enforcer and what has a pot of stew got to do with birth-right? Evil enforcers are always out to manipulate destiny, yet, he persisted in verse 33: "Then Jacob said, "swear to me as of this day; "So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob." Therefore know that from today; because you took from the pot of stew, I have all that was yours from God. Evil enforcers are always desperate to enforce their evil scheme on those who are insensitive and careless about their endowment, potentials, talents and destiny (Genesis 25:34).
At another instance, when David was anointed king over the nation of Israel, it worth noting that all the Philistines sought after him: "Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel; all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them." But why should a whole nation search for him and what offence had he committed that could have necessitated this (1 Chronicles 14:8). They knew David as their long-time enemy who defeated and killed Goliath their champion, and if he should be king over Israel, their domination and operation will be drastically reduced if not terminated, hence, the Philistines wanted to bring him down. But David inquired of the Lord the strategy to employ against these evil people who wanted to enforce their will over the nation of Israel (verses 10-12). God was on his side as He never allowed them to prevail against him. He was empowered to defeat them and he burned down their gods. Though they made raid again, and for this also David inquired of the Lord again, he obeyed as God instructed him till he finally destroyed them and his fear was upon all nations (verses 14-17). Receiving his marching orders form God guaranteed his victory over the enemy of Israel. And during the reign of David, the children of Israel were no more subject to the Philistines and their assaults, raid or attacks. It even extended to the reign of Solomon too because the land had peace and perfect rest (1 King 5:4).
During the transfiguration Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus. These personalities according to Matthew 17:3 had unique role to play in Jesus ministry. Moses had earlier foretold that God will give the children of Israel a ruler from the seed of Judah who will both be their deliverer and their leader. Elijah, on the other hand was the prophet who restored the true worship and divine order to the crumbling spiritual structure in Israel during his days and John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus came in the spirit of Elijah (Matthew 17:11-13). The fulfilment of the law came when Jesus suffered and surrendered Himself as a worthy sacrifice for the world. However, He charge his disciples (who later became apostles) and all who will later be His followers to preach the gospel though in much conflict and trouble (1 Thessalonians 2:2b). They are not to teach error or be deceitful but they are entrusted with the gospel of truth thus pleasing God who tests the hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4). After Jesus departed, the apostles commenced their assignment. On one occasion, a visible and notable miracle occurred when suddenly a lame man by the gate of the temple looked intently to Peter and John was healed and he began to leap and walk and praise the Lord (Acts 3:2, 7-8). This wonderment brought about by the intervention of Peter and John led to great gathering of crowd whom they preached to. But when the priests, the Captain of the temple and the Sadducees saw how the disciples (apostles) spoke to the people they were greatly disturbed. These are evil enforcers and though they are the spiritual leaders of their days but they hated Jesus and His followers. They orchestrated the death of Jesus and thought they had ended everything about Him. And if these so-called spiritual leaders could be mad about Jesus and His followers, then we need not bother when later unbelievers and evil people routed them (Acts 14:2-7). If the so-called leaders were against the preaching of the truth being threatened by the apostles and their miracles, how much more opposition will they face by those outside. And though it is normal to expect greater oppositions from outside but oftentimes it is not so.
The priests, the Captain of the temple and the Sadducee were greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached Jesus (Act 4:2), so, they laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day (Acts 4:3). Their interruptions and assaults notwithstanding, many still believed the gospel (Acts 4:4). They were brought before the council and asked by what power do they so those things; their authority was questioned (Acts 4:5-7). In response, Peter stood up and told them that it was in Jesus name that the man was made whole (Acts 4:8-12). They could not reply him and they were speechless because of the evident manifestation of God's power in the life of the man who was healed of paralysis. They also acknowledged that they had been with Jesus (Acts4:13-14). And when they consulted among themselves because the miracle was undeniable, they came to an evil conclusion that the apostles should not speak, preach or teach again in the name of Jesus. However, Peter immediately objected and told them that they cannot but speak the things they have seen and heard about Jesus. The apostles were not ready to accept their evil command, they did not keep mute because that would have amounted to consent to their evil decree (Acts 4:19-20), though they threatened them again but later they released them (Acts 4:21). If the evil ones, the enemy of the cross want to enforce their evil will, we also have a mandate like Peter and the other apostles who said "we cannot but preach in the name of Jesus." We are enforcers too to establish the divine purpose of God on earth. The apostles did not go moribund, rather they prayed for boldness and for God's outstretched hand and for signs and wonders (Acts 4:23-30).
And then came an immediate answer from heaven to their request. God heard and answered them, and where they were assembled was shaken, they were re-fired and reloaded as the Holy Spirit came afresh upon them (Acts 4:31). They were filled to the brim, re-energized and renewed for exploits. They needed this fresh infilling because of the challenges and battles ahead to boldly declare the word of God and be fit for service. The outcome was awesome, assaults from their opposers who wanted to enforce evil decree on them resulted in the release of greater grace upon them. Indeed, there would be fiery trial (persecution, assaults and troubles) but all is aimed at one thing-the release of more grace in a believer's life (1 Peter 4:12, 1 Peter 1:6-10). This same charge Peter gave to the believers in his epistle in 1 Peter 1:13. The apostles did not give in but they continued to preach so they were arrested again (Acts 5:17-18) and were put into the prison by the indignant leaders but God sent His angel to release them. Though they plotted to kill them but they could not harm them, and how they were wonderfully delivered still bothered them, indeed, the righteous are kept secured and preserved (Proverbs 2:8). But they challenged them: "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name" Good for them anyway that they took Gamaliel (a respected member of their council)'s advice to let them go because he told them that if it is of God they cannot overthrow it lest be fighting God (Acts 5:22-28, 33-39). When evil enforcers are silenced, the word of God prevails!
