Rebellion, Judgment, and Deliverance

Throughout the Old Testament, a pattern of rebellion, judgment, and deliverance emerges. The people do well for a time, then begin doing what is right in their own eyes. God sends judgment, and they face the consequences of their rebellion. They cry out for God’s mercy and redemption, and He delivers them. This cycle repeats so often that reading it can make you dizzy, until you recognize that people today are not any different. How many times do we make the same mistakes over and over? How often do we allow ourselves to fall away and make excuses? Then, when we see the chaos of consequence, we cry out for help.

Even if we don’t see a miraculous intervention, we can still see God at work through His Word, His church, and the unexpected ways He provides. He has given us His Word to provide guidance and wisdom. He has given us the church to help meet our needs. Oftentimes, we call out as a last option after trying to solve the problem on our own. As one of my favorite quotes reminds us, “Prayer is a first response, not a last resort.” Be a first responder.

As we read the Word of God, two simple words often change the course of circumstances: BUT GOD. Here are just a few examples:

But God remembered Noah… (Genesis 8:1). All the people of the earth were wicked, with thoughts that were altogether evil all the time, except for Noah. God preserved humanity through Noah and his family, giving the world a new beginning.

But God meant it for good… (Genesis 50:20). Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, and he became the second most powerful man in Egypt. In their jealousy, they wanted to hurt and punish Joseph, but God used the circumstance to bring salvation.

But God led the people… (Exodus 13:18). When the Israelites fled Egypt and the armies of Pharaoh, God deliberately led them through the wilderness, even though going through Philistia would have been nearer, using that time to prepare them for what lay ahead.

BUT GOD will ransom my soul (Psalm 49:15) and strike the heads of my enemies (Psalm 68:21) because He is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:26).

But God raised Him from the dead (Acts 13:30). As Paul recounts the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, he emphasizes the power and providence of God. Not only that, but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Paul also writes, “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!” (Ephesians 2:4–5).

A Choice, a Change, and a Challenge

Through the Gospels, Jesus teaches the disciples how to live and share God’s love with all people. Through the book of Acts, we learn how to become a part of the church. Through the letters, we gain instruction and encouragement.

In each of these teachings, we have a choice to make: continue living as “dead in our trespasses” OR “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” (Hebrews 12:1) to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). The choice to change your life and follow Christ includes significant challenges, specifically living contrary to the world.

Jesus offers all people a choice. Each chooses whether or not to make the changes necessary to follow Him. Repentance means to turn from sin, agreeing with God that sin is sin, and leaving that lifestyle behind. This change will come with challenges, but He gives us all we need, provides a way out, and works the circumstances for good, according to His purpose. We may not always see the good, certainly not in the moment, but we can walk in Hope and trust that God does not change.

While these are true for me, I also grew up with the Bible. I enjoyed hearing the accounts in Scripture over and over again. I enjoyed listening to my dad’s sermon illustrations long before I understood the depth of his preaching. I grew up in church, singing songs before I could carry a tune and serving people before I knew what that meant. One of my dad’s favorites (which became one of mine since we sang it often) is “Victory in Jesus.”

In June of 2002, at my grandfather’s memorial service, I learned that my dad’s love for this song may have come from his dad, who was also a preacher. He had a favorite sermon that he took everywhere, “just in case” he was asked to preach, titled “Victory in Jesus.”

God made the plan for redemption before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3–10). The cross was not a backup plan because of our sin. The cross was THE plan to reconcile us!

When we are confronted with our sin, our belief in Jesus leads us to godly sorrow, which leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). Repentance then leads us to obedience. When we are baptized into Christ, we are forgiven. When we come out of the water, we walk in a new life (Romans 6:3–4).

I don’t know the details of my Grandpa’s sermon, but I have the benefit of the lessons he taught my dad. I now strive to continue that legacy so my children also claim Victory in Jesus!

We all go through seasons and stages in life. Some seasons we experience many times. Others we may only observe in those around us. It is important to prepare for all seasons, even the ones we want to avoid.

Winter – Israel faces famine. Naomi’s husband and two sons die. She is left alone with her daughters-in-law. When she hears that the Lord has come to the aid of Israel, she prepares to return home, and they prepare to go with her. Naomi does not wish for them to continue to live in grief and encourages them to go back to their own homes, find new husbands, and live full lives. One complies. Ruth, however, remains devoted to Naomi, declaring allegiance not only to Naomi but also to the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16–18). Even as Naomi declares her friends should call her Mara (meaning “bitterness”), the lives of these two women are about to change drastically for the better.

Spring – Ruth begins gleaning in the fields to provide for Naomi and herself. The field she finds belongs to Boaz, who happens to be a relative of Naomi’s husband. Boaz shows kindness and protection to Ruth, and Ruth returns the same kindness through obedience and respect. Naomi tells Ruth how to go about asking Boaz to fulfill his role as kinsman-redeemer, basically encouraging her daughter-in-law to propose marriage! Ruth continues in steadfast obedience and follows Naomi’s directions.

Summer – Boaz, though surprised, accepts Ruth’s proposal. However, there is the glitch that a closer kinsman-redeemer would have first “dibs.” Boaz approaches the relative in the presence of the elders, and the relative relinquishes his claim. Ruth and Boaz marry, and the people rejoice and pronounce blessings over their union.

Autumn – An aged Naomi holds her grandson, who is the grandfather of a future king. The end of this book is a perfect segue into the coming changes as Israel demands a king.

Other observations: I noted previously that Rahab is included in the genealogy of Christ. What I didn’t mention in that post is that she is listed as the mother of Boaz. I became very curious about this, as Matthew’s Gospel is the only place this is mentioned. Biblical genealogies do not always include every generation, so the genealogy should not necessarily be read as a complete chronology. I think the point of the Word is simply that God can use ANYONE to bring about His will, including a foreigner who used to be a prostitute and a foreigner who was a Moabite. Despite their backgrounds, both of these women are in the direct lineage of Christ.

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed in my current season of life, but I am thankful for the examples of women in the Bible, as well as women in my own life, from whom I can glean wisdom and lean on for support.

1. The people of God fall away (apostasy), rejecting God’s commands, each person doing what is right in his/her own eyes.
2. They face oppression, persecution, and even captivity in later times.
3. They cry out to God in their distress, confessing their wrongdoing, and longing for forgiveness.
4. Finally, God sends deliverance, repentance occurs, and peace follows for some time.