Don't Be Fooled

The walls of Constantinople were built to last for a thousand years, and did endure from A.D. 324 to 1423. It defended the capitol of the Holy Roman Empire against many intruders, including Attila the Hun.

People trusted the walls to defend them from the changing times outside. They relied upon the walls to shield them so they could continue their lives. But, one day the Turks, who had perfected the use of heavy artillery ―bombards― attacked and penetrated the walls. The people of Constantinople were fooled.

Judah had become ensnared by false gods that promised peace and plenty in the days of Jeremiah. The people of Judah had become fooled into thinking that because the temple was still standing that God would not see how they had devoted themselves to worshipping wood and stone. So God said, “Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will never suffer because the Temple is here. It’s a lie!” (Jeremiah 7:8 NLT).

God continued, “Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours, and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, “We are safe!”—only to go right back to all those evils again?” (Jeremiah 7:9-10 NLT). Judah was wrong if it believed it could disobey God’s word and think it could continue to flourish.

It’s amazing how the example of Judah is so similar to people in our day. Do we think we can expect the blessings of God to continue while we refuse to bridle our tongues, kill babies, mistreat our neighbors and commit some of the same acts God condemned in Judah in the Old Testament?

Don’t be fooled into thinking people in this country can engage in immoral, detestable behavior and get away with it because no one can threaten the safety of the United States. Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie and worship other gods and not expect justice?

Don’t be fooled.