"But God told me..."

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Isaiah 33:10–36:22 
Galatians 5:13-26 
Psalm 64:1-10 
Proverbs 23:23

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):


Isaiah 36:10 (ESV) "Moreover, is it without the LORD that I have come up against this land to destroy it? The LORD said to me, 'Go up against this land and destroy it.' "

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

I acknowledge that the Verse for Today that I have chosen is a little unusual. But, I hope that by the end of this post you will understand it's significance.

The context: King Hezekiah was king of Judah and was in the fourteenth year of his reign. Judah was essentially a buffer between the two world powers at that time - Babylon and Egypt. So, it was in the best interest of these two powers to control Judah.

Our Verse for Today was quoted by the Rabshakeh (a high ranking military official). He was standing outside the city walls of Jerusalem yelling those words to the residents of Jerusalem.

"Moreover, is it without the LORD that I have come up against this land to destroy it? The LORD said to me, 'Go up against this land and destroy it.' " (Isaiah 36:10)

The Rabshakeh was a pagan military leader. He did not serve the God of Heaven. Yet, he claimed that Yahweh had told him to travel to Judah and destroy it.

So, the question becomes: Did God actually speak the the Rabshakeh? 

Well, given the details of Isaiah 37, we realize that the Lord could not have spoken with him because the prophecy did not come to pass. But, that didn't stop him from claiming that the Lord had given him a message.

Friend, there is no shortage of people who will claim that the Lord has revealed something to them. 

On a few occasions, people have come to me and said, "The Lord told me to tell you...", and then they proceed to give me the secret message. As they are speaking, I can't help but wonder - "I'm on good terms with the Lord. It seems that He could have simply revealed the message to me."

On other occasions, I've heard two people, who are discussing what they believe to be God's will in a matter, present conflicting messages as they each claim to have heard a different message from the Lord. It is possible that God would give conflicting messages to two different people? Of course not.

The question is still the same as before: "Did God really speak to them?"

Friends, God still speaks. There is no question about that. But, it is my concern that people are whimsically using that phrase all too often. 

So, please be careful when saying that God has revealed something to you. If you believe that God has spoken to you about a matter, make sure that it aligns with Scripture. Then, consider talking with a mature believer about what you sense God has said asking for their input. You may even want to take a few more precautions in your desire to be sure of what God has said (if, indeed, He has spoken to you). 

Then, still be cautious when saying that the Lord has spoken to you. You may have heard from Him and then maybe you haven't. You may have heard from Him but you may not have properly interpreted what He has said.

So, be careful not to take God's Name in vain by using it in connection with something that He never said.