THE STATURE OF LIFE

 

THE STATURE OF LIFE

I Kings 16:34

In this verse, a man from Bethel by the name of Hiel, rebuilt the city of Jericho. Joshua had predicted that when the foundation would be laid, the oldest son of whoever built it would die. He also predicted that when the gates were set, the youngest son would die. Well, it happened just as Joshua had foretold.

As we read of Israel’s history, we learn that when we ignore God’s Word, we lose our sense of the sacredness of life. God made it very clear that He valued highly human life. He created man in His own image. Gen. 1:26 He created man uniquely and wonderfully. He takes a personal interest in not only how we are created, but what we are made of. We are created to be His image-bearers on earth. We are molded and shaped by Him so that we would bear His image; we are His workmanship. Eph. 2:10 He has chosen us to be vessels for His salvation. Phil. 2:5-11

Yet, when we fail to listen to warned that Jericho would be rebuilt at the cost of human life. Over and over again throughout the Israelite’s history, people ignored God and His Word. They did what they wanted to do, and the result was the loss of many, many lives. When God is ignored, people become expendable. It has happened throughout history, and it is happening right before our eyes.

When we ignore God’s Word, we lose our sense of God. By this time in history, the Israelites did not consider God to be relevant. They had wandered so far away from God that God’s Word was usually ignored. People did what was right in their own eyes. They were self-serving. They followed after whatever gods seemed to be popular at the moment. Not much has changed over the years. God no longer is a factor in most people’s lives. They created images of God to suit themselves. They deny that God even exists. They try to keep God out of the public discussions and human affairs.

Yes, the stature of life is bleak indeed. The only help and hope for man is Jesus. Only the Lord can change the course of one’s life and the very course of history. Without God, things are going to continue to get worse. Nothing that man can do on his own can stop our self-destruction. Only Jesus can save us from ourselves. He alone is the way, truth, and life. No one will know the realness of God except through Him.