What other scriptures warn against rejecting God's word like Isaiah 5:24? Setting the Scene: Isaiah 5:24 “Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes stubble and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will be like rot and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.” Why Rejecting God’s Word Is So Serious • God’s commands are life-giving; to spurn them is to choose death (Deuteronomy 30:19). • Disregard for Scripture is personal rebellion against the Author. • Judgment inevitably follows contempt for God’s revealed will. Scriptures Echoing the Warning • Deuteronomy 28:15 – “If you do not obey the LORD your God… all these curses will come upon you and overtake you.” • Deuteronomy 30:17-18 – “If your heart turns away and you do not listen… you will surely perish.” • Joshua 23:15-16 – “Just as every good thing… came to pass, so He will bring upon you all the evil things… if you transgress the covenant.” • 1 Samuel 12:15 – “If you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, His hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.” • 2 Kings 17:14-15 – “They would not listen… They rejected His statutes… Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from His presence.” • 2 Chronicles 24:19-20 – “Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.” • Psalm 50:17, 22 – “You hate My instruction and cast My words behind you… consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces.” • Proverbs 1:24-33 – “Because you refused to listen… when dread comes like a storm… but whoever listens to me will dwell in safety.” • Jeremiah 6:19 – “I am bringing disaster… because they have not listened to My words and have rejected My instruction.” • Jeremiah 8:9 – “Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they have?” • Hosea 4:6 – “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you.” • Zechariah 7:11-13 – “They refused to pay attention… ‘When they called, I would not listen,’ says the LORD of Hosts.” • Matthew 7:26-27 – “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them… great was its collapse.” • John 12:48 – “The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” • Hebrews 2:1-3 – “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” • Hebrews 10:26-27, 31 – “If we deliberately go on sinning… a fearful expectation of judgment… It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” • James 1:22-25 – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” • 2 Peter 2:20-22 – “The latter state is worse for them than the first… ‘A dog returns to its vomit.’” • Revelation 22:18-19 – “If anyone adds to them… God will add to him the plagues… If anyone takes away… God will take away his share in the tree of life.” Living in Light of the Warning • Treasure Scripture as the sure word of the living God. • Submit thoughts, motives, and actions to its authority. • Teach it faithfully to the next generation so they will not repeat Israel’s mistake. • Cultivate a responsive heart—quick to hear, eager to obey—knowing blessing attends obedience and judgment attends rejection. |
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