Hear and Do

The Lord’s mercy does not make Him indulgent toward mixture. In Moses He commands Israel to cast down the snares that would draw them into another worship; in Jeremiah He sends His prophet into the temple court to call the worshipers themselves to turn. The thread is one: God’s people must not make peace with what corrupts their covenant. Idols outside and stubbornness inside lead to the same end.

Yet the Lord’s purpose in warning is not destruction for its own sake, but repentance. Even when Judah has filled the holy place with disobedience, He still sends His servant to speak every word, withholding nothing, so that they may turn and live. As it is written: “but I desire that the sinner should turn from his evil way, and live: therefore return from your evil way: why do you give yourselves over to death, O house of Israel?” The severity of God and the patience of God stand together. He is not mocked, yet He still calls.

Therefore let none of us hear these readings as though they concerned ancient rebels only. We also are tempted to spare what God commands us to tear down: a profitable compromise, an impure habit, a flattering friendship, a tongue undisciplined. But the promise is not for hearers who admire the command; it is for those who obey it. Hermas says, “If then, when you have heard these, you keep them and walk in them, and practice them with pure minds, you will receive from the Lord all that He has promised to you.” Let us then repent without delay, and prove our hearing by deeds.