Un- reconcilable is the most common reason for Hollywood style divorce!
This means the couple has reached the point at which both side refused to reason further!
In the Old Testament, God used the word stiff-necked on the people of Israel 18 times!
The last time is number 19 in Acts 7:51 Stephen used it!
1. You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears!
You are just like your fathers. You always resist the Holy Spirit! Acts 7:51
2. Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute?
They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One.
And now you have betrayed and murdered him-- you who have received the law that was put
into effect through angels but have not obeyed it. Acts 7:52-53
3. When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. Acts 7:54
4. As a result they stoned Stephen to death! Acts 7:59-60
5. Each time when I read this, I always feel pain in my heart!
I often lift up my head to the sky and sigh! God, how can you create people to be like these!
Why don’t they do the same to wicked people!
6. Yes, from history, we know 70 A.D. Jerusalem was totally destroyed!
A. One example in Deuteronomy 11:26-27
1. See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse -- Deu.11:26
2. The blessing if you obey the commands of God… Deu.11:27
3. The curse if you disobey the commands of God… Deu.11:28
B. Israel took the curse! Num.14:22-23
1. Not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the
desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times -- Num.14:22
2. Not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers.
No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. Num.14:23
C. Tell the Israel!
1. Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. Deu.6:13
2. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you. Deu.6:14
3. For the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you,
and he will destroy you from the face of the land. Deu.6:15
4. Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah. Deu.6:16
D. What did Israel do? Neh.9:29
1. You warned them to return to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands.
2. They sinned against your ordinances, by which a man will live if he obeys them.
3. Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. Heh.9:29
E. Please listen carefully!
1. By the rock at Horeh it is strike the rock and water will come out. Ex.17:6
2. At Kadesh it is speak to that rock and water will come out! Num.20:8
3. But Moses raised his arm and struck the rock at Kadesh twice to get water! Num.20:11
4. For this, Moses was not able to make it into the promise land! Num.20:12
F. What must we do?
1. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Ps.95:6
2. For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Ps.95:7
3. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that
day at Massah in the desert. Ps.95:8
G. Conclusion:
1. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us. 1Cor.10:11
2. For he says: In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. 2Cor.6:2
3. I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2Cor.6:2
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Written August 24, 2017.