HATH GOD SAID? Kay Keith Peebles 04/05/19 19.10
What did I tell you? Those words terrified me as a child. I knew I was in big trouble when my mother or father would ask me, “What did I tell you?” It usually meant a spanking. The spankings were highly effective in ensuring my humble repentance. I knew I had disobeyed my parents and the punishment was justified. Another phrase I heard often in my childhood was, “What were you thinking?” It is amazing the trouble two or three children can create when they get an idea that challenges the parent’s instructions.
My brother and I were visiting two of our cousins for a week during summer vacation. We would ride the train to San Antonio where we were met by our aunt, uncle and cousins. It was the most exciting adventure we had each year. Our uncle was a farmer in south Texas and sometimes we would help pick black-eyed peas in his fields. We were not worked hard. It was a fun outing for my brother and me because it was totally different from our life in the city.
One day toward the end of the week our aunt told us that we were creating too much laundry for her. She strictly warned us that we were not allowed to get our clothes wet and muddy that day. We all agreed and went down the pasture to play under the big oak tree near the creek. Its sprawling arms beckoned us to climb and sit for a while under its shade. We watched the cattle graze and squirrels scurry on the ground until we were bored. An hour or so had passed when my brother and cousin decided they wanted to build a boat to float down the creek. They reasoned if we were in a boat we wouldn’t get wet! We girls were excited and agreed whole heartedly.
The two boys worked diligently planning and preparing. My cousin and I helped them gather scrap wood while the boys tied it together with rope. They borrowed a hammer and nails attempting to make sure the seams of the flat boards were tightly joined. After a couple of hours the guys set the finished boat in the middle of the creek and it floated! Now it was time to test it on a passenger! I was the youngest and the smallest, so they enticed me to get into the boat to test it out. They assured me it was well built and all would be fine. They held it at the edge of the water and once I was aboard, they shoved it into the middle of the creek where the water was deeper. As soon as I got into the boat, the water began to seep through the cracks. In a matter of moments the boat and I quickly sank to the bottom of the creek. The three shocked kids on the bank rushed into the water to “save” me. About that time our aunt called for us to come up to the house. Needless to say, all four of us were in big trouble! We had done the very thing we were told not to do. We heard those terrible words, “What did I tell you?” The punishment fit the crime.
In the book of Genesis Chapters 1-3, the account of Creation explains the origin of mankind. The Lord had prepared the perfect place for us to live and thrive under His care. After breathing life into Adam and Eve, He gave them only one warning. He clearly told Adam not to eat from one specific tree out of all the vegetation in the vast garden. He had provided more than enough options to keep them well satisfied for eternity. The tree He warned them about was the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Their existence was pure, holy and clean. It was the Lord’s plan they live with Him eternally that way but He also gave them the power to choose. When He warned them of the consequences of eating from the tree, He explained they would surely die.
Although abundance surrounded Adam and Eve with endless choices, the devil managed to entice them to partake of the forbidden tree by asking a question. He said, “Hath God said?” Genesis 3:1. After succumbing to the temptation, they both died spiritually that day and were cast out of the holy presence of God. Their bodies which had been made in God’s glory became fleshly and began to naturally deteriorate. The process would eventually cause their death, which God had never intended for them. Mankind hates having rules but true freedom comes with boundaries. It is in our fleshly nature to disregard God’s laws in order to govern or see for ourselves. However, the history of mankind proves we are incapable of governing ourselves. “There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.” See Proverbs 14:12, and 16:25.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments.” Psalm 111:10. The word fear in this verse means a reverence toward God but it also means a fear of destruction. Jesus warned His disciples, “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28. I had a healthy fear of my mom and dad, which kept me from getting into major trouble as I went through my teen and young adult years. My fear was from respect for them and a knowing that if I rebelled, there would be just punishment. It was a healthy fear that guided me to make good choices. When I failed, they were there to correct me. I trusted them to teach me the proper way to live.
In the same manner, we are all to become dependent upon God to teach us right from wrong according to His word (laws) so that His protection and favor will always be with us. The word of God speaks strongly about those who rebel against the Lord’s laws. It’s a dangerous place to be standing in opposition to God. It can not only cost one’s life but also affect where they spend eternity. Many people may think they have a “good” reason for sinning against the Lord but their reason is not an excuse before God! God’s laws establish a pure and holy way of living. They also guide us as we navigate how we are to treat others. It is fair and just when things go wrong and it helps to ensure most things will go right.
The Israelites cried out for God to save them from slavery in Egypt. The Lord sent Moses to deal with Pharaoh in order to convince him to let the people go. Once they were free from Pharaoh’s oppression the Lord taught them His laws through Moses. The Law of God is His moral code which is the same standard for all people. It ensured a safe and fair environment among the 2,000,000 plus people. Without a moral code, there is abuse and every evil thing because people are primarily self-serving. When God’s law is ignored or rebelled against, the peace and protection of God is exchanged for the curse of sin and death. Those who walk in righteousness are blessed and favored by the Lord. When they dwell in the presence of the Lord continually, they are under His protection. See Psalm 91.
In today’s 21st century nothing has changed. The enemy is still speaking to people, “Hath God said?” Those who choose to rebel against the Lord are demanding their sin be accepted and God’s word to be rejected! They declare that God is antiquated and His rules and morality no longer relate. Immorality is flaunted in the streets of the city while God’s word is called hate speech. Babies are being slaughtered by the millions up to birth and many in the church stand by approving a woman’s right to do so. Have we forgotten the word of God or simply ignored it? Compassion does not enable sin. Compassion tells the truth by warning of impending danger. God has not changed His mind and He is not wrong! He strongly warned the church through the Apostle Paul by saying, “Who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but approve of those who practice them…But by your callous stubbornness and impenitence of heart you are storing up wrath and indignation for yourself on the day of wrath and indignation, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. For He will render to every man according to his works…For it is not merely hearing the Law that makes one righteous before God, but it is the doers of the Law who will be held guiltless and acquitted and justified.” See Romans 1:32-2:13.
If the church no longer shines the holy light of Christ to a world that is lost, we have failed. If we have lost our saltiness that preserves and spreads the Gospel of Christ because of our own sin, we are also lost. The lukewarm church in the book of Revelation will be judged unless there is repentance. “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth! For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked…Those whom I love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten. So be enthusiastic and earnest and burning with zeal and repent.” See Revelation 3:14-22.
The Church of the Lord is at a treacherous crossroad. Decisions are being made today that will influence one’s eternity. There are wolves in sheep’s clothing altering the holy word of God leading many astray. True discernment comes from living daily in the presence of God and living righteously according to God’s word. My prayer is that the true fear of God will return to His church bringing the conviction needed to completely repent from immorality and compromised lifestyles. I pray a new hunger to know God accelerates our pursuit of His holiness. A zealous seeking to know Him personally and His ways will drive us into His arms of mercy and compassion while opening our eyes to the lies and deception which have bound us.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world…They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” See 1 John Chapter 4.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water but by water and the blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater, for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.” See 1 John Chapter 5.
It is the voice of God through His written eternal word and the voice of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth that confirms the word of God. We must seek God and listen to His voice. If we do, we will not be deceived.
Hath God said? Yes He has!!!
