What other Bible passages warn of consequences for ignoring God's commands? Jeremiah 5:6 – A Snapshot of Consequences “Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down; a wolf from the desert will ravage them, and a leopard will lie in wait near their cities. Everyone who ventures out will be torn to pieces, for their rebellion is great and their backslidings many.” Echoes in the Law • Leviticus 26:14-17 – “If you will not obey Me… I will bring upon you sudden terror… I will set My face against you, so that you will be defeated by your enemies.” • Deuteronomy 28:15, 47-48 – “If you do not obey the LORD your God… all these curses will come upon you… You will serve your enemies… until He destroys you.” Historical Proof in Israel’s Story • Joshua 24:20 – “If you forsake the LORD… He will turn and bring disaster on you and consume you.” • 2 Chronicles 7:19-20 – “If you turn away and forsake My statutes… I will uproot you from My land… and reject this temple.” • 2 Kings 17:13-18 – God warned through prophets, yet Israel “stiffened their necks,” so “the LORD was very angry… and removed them from His presence.” Wisdom Literature Reminders • Proverbs 13:13 – “He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but he who respects a command is rewarded.” • Psalm 81:11-14 – “My people did not listen… So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts… Oh, that My people would listen to Me… I would quickly subdue their enemies.” Prophetic Amplification • Isaiah 1:19-20 – “If you are willing and obedient… But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” • Ezekiel 18:24 – “If a righteous man turns from his righteousness… he will die for the sin he has committed.” • Amos 4:6-12 – Repeated calamities “yet you did not return to Me,” concluding, “Prepare to meet your God.” • Zechariah 7:11-13 – “They refused to pay attention… So when they called, I would not listen, says the LORD of Hosts.” Jesus on the Peril of Hearing but Not Doing • Matthew 7:26-27 – “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them… great was its collapse.” • Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I say?” • John 15:6 – “If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers… and burned.” Apostolic Warnings • Galatians 6:7-8 – “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked… the one who sows to please his flesh will reap destruction.” • Hebrews 2:2-3 – “Every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment; how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” • Hebrews 10:26-27 – “If we deliberately go on sinning… only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire.” • 1 Corinthians 10:6-11 – Israel’s failures “were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.” Final Calls in Revelation • Revelation 2:5 – “Repent… or I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” • Revelation 3:16 – “Because you are lukewarm… I am about to vomit you out of My mouth.” • Revelation 22:18-19 – Adding to or taking away from God’s words brings the plagues written in this book and loss of access to the tree of life. Putting It Together From Moses to the prophets, from Jesus to the apostles and the closing pages of Revelation, Scripture consistently links rebellion against God’s commands with tangible, often severe consequences. Jeremiah 5:6 is one vivid example in a long, unbroken line of warnings meant to drive us to humble obedience and wholehearted trust in the Lord. |
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