“Zedekiah was 21 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem 11 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the Lord… he became stiff necked and hardened his heart and would not turn to the Lord. (During his reign) the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the Lord, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. The Lord warned them again and again through messengers, but they mocked God’s messengers, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against His people and there was no remedy” (2 Chronicles 36:11-16).
Godless leadership has a trickle-down effect. We see this in the story of Zedekiah. His mockery and disdain towards God bred unfaithfulness in the priests and the people. They quickly fell into the detestable practices of the nations, mocking God’s messengers that warned them repeatedly to turn from their evil ways, but they refused. The result of a people that no longer heed warnings, while simultaneously mocking God, is judgment.
Our times are no different. On the national stage yesterday, Jesus’ last supper was re-enacted, but with all drag queens. The crowd laughed and clapped as God was mocked. The churches are being burnt down and God’s messengers are being assaulted and ridiculed. These are desperate times.
But God’s patience with humanity must NEVER be confused with His permission. He is long-suffering, but Scripture reminds us that “God won’t be mocked.” The people in Noah’s day scoffed at his warnings, too, but the rain came and judgment fell hard. May we pray for a spirit of repentance to fall on our nations before the wrath of God has had enough. He won’t be mocked.
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