When I was about 5 years old, I remember my parents expressly telling me not to play at the creek near our church building. They warned me not to do it and said there would be consequences if I did. Disobeying them, I ended up falling in the creek and hurting myself pretty badly. Not only did I hurt myself, but my parents gave me the discipline I deserved. Reflecting back, I now recognize that my dad instructed me to avoid the creek because he wanted what was best for me. I thought he was trying to keep me from having fun. In reality, he wanted to keep me from harm.
In 2 Kings 17, we see God warning His people. He sent prophets to entreat the people to stop doing what they were doing. God was gracious and loving to give these warnings. He wasn’t trying to harm His people; He was trying to help them. He knew their chosen path of rebellion and stubbornness would destroy them in the long run, so He sent messengers to call them to repentance. They chose not to listen, and they hurt themselves badly in the process.
What we often view as restrictive, God intends for our best. Like children, we are often unaware of the bigger picture. God’s perspective is perfectly wise and lacks nothing. Correctly viewed, God’s commands and warnings are the loving instructions of a Father who wants and knows what is best for us.
How do you respond to God’s warnings and commands in the Bible?
Do you see them as God’s love for you or as Him withholding something from you? Why?
What warnings from God’s Word is He placing in your life right now?