God deals with man based on His knowledge of him. As He delights to guide and guard, the untamed nature of man always crave to be let loose, experiment and gamble with life (Hosea 8:12). God's instruction that can make man comfortable and peaceful are clearly outlined in the scriptures. And just like the children of Israel who lived in self-will, rebellion and disobedience to God's law and command. They firmly hold dear to idolatry which God forbids and detest. So God raised up Prophet Jeremiah and others to warn them of their erring ways, so that they can retrace their way back and avert His wrath. Unfortunately, they refused to yield and there was nothing else God could do dissuade them from their evil passion for strange gods. God eventually consumed them yet they refused to amend their ways (Jeremiah 5:3). Jeremiah had frankly told them there is no salvation in any hill or mountain but only in the Lord (Jeremiah 3:23-24), and despite his repeated warnings, they were bent on their ways. They trust in lying and soothing words that will praise and pamper them in their evil ways. They love to be deceived, because they were already deceived and living in self-deceit. Adamant and disobedient, God allowed them to have their way but they bore the consequence of their choice.
So God abandoned them (Psalm 81:11-12), it was disastrous for them because their expectations were not met rather they received wrath and judgment (Proverbs 28:9, 4:15, 19). Solomon in his wise counsel has also admonished in the book of Proverbs 4:4, 22:5, 19:27, 29. But they were full of whoredom and idolatry (Hosea 4:12). They were people given to change who cannot consistently and wholeheartedly follow after God. God was never in their thought but they walked in the imagination of their heart (Jeremiah 9:14). They forsook their devotion, affection and love for God but cling tightly to idols. They bluntly refused God and His instructions given to them through His servant (Jeremiah 44:15). Evil people though in affliction as a result of their sin refused to turn back to God but persist in their evil, revolting and refusing to obey Him (Jeremiah 44:4-5). Who will dissuade them from their evil passion that is constantly bringing untold hardship and judgment from God (Proverbs 29:19). And as they refused to hear nor obey God to walk in His ways (Psalm 78:8, 81:11-12), consequently, His peace and blessings eluded them. Also, their prayers were unanswered (Proverbs 28:9). Yet, God's admonition to them is to follow righteousness (Proverbs 21:21) because the outcome of following is wickedness is clearly spelt out (Proverbs 22:5, 29:1, 1:24-31).
However, God stance remains unchanged. Solomon, the king, in the book of proverbs reiterated the essence of walking in the right path. For there is a keeping (with understanding and preservation) and discretion for those who walk in the path of righteousness (Proverbs 2:11-13, 20), because only the righteous will dwell safely in the land. Indeed, sound wisdom and discretion are divine gifts that produces life for the soul and adorns with grace (Proverbs 3:21-23, 4:12-13). Besides, it keeps someone on a straight path so that he does not stumble. Though Jeremiah and other prophets raised and instructed by God to warn the children of Israel were forbidden from prophesying and ministering to them (Micah 2:6-7), the word of God and His commands counted strange to them (Hosea 8:12) but they persisted in obeying God.
And now it is evident that even many preachers, prophets and pastors too need to ask for the old path that the true men of God who had genuine encounter with God trod. They performed raw, visible miracles. Men like Elisha who fed 100 people with 20 loaves of barley who followed the path of Jesus who fed multitude. They were not exploiters but providers meeting the needs of the poor and the helpless (2 Kings 2:4). At another time, Elisha the prophet issued a command to the widow "shut the door behind you and pour the oil into the container" she did and the oil multiplied. The widow was not put to shame, her needs was met and her sons were not taken. But nowadays, widows are being exploited through fake visions and revelations that often trouble them to the extent they give all that is left with them (money and possession) to the so called prophets of God. A demand is placed on people for God's blessing. Certain amount must be given as an offering or gift to a man God in order to get a particular blessing. This is heresy!
Though the generous woman received a son after Elisha asked her need. However, her generosity was not with the intension to get anything from Him. Remember that her husband was old, she must have lost hope of having any child again. She even told the man of God '' don't deceive me.'' Where then did the child came from? She received a son from the God of Elisha who knows no impossibility. It is God who give people as He pleases, no one can bribe God with gifts. The book of 2 Kings is loaded and it is a good recipe for our modern day flamboyant preachers who need to ask for the old path that commands the true power of God and brings down His glory.
The savor and spiritual candor is lost because of showmanship and greediness of our modern day ministers who are getting the leprosy of Naaman in the place of service and they can no longer stand in the presence of God. God detests them and He cannot trust them with His true power and glory. Elisha asked Gehazi, Is it time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men servants and maid servants? The church is sick and weak because many leaders have drifted from the old path. Restoring the righteousness and true glory of God necessitate that we retrace our steps back to the old path.
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