Human Wisdom Vs. Divine Wisdom

In the Old Testament Book of Amos, Chapter 2, verse 4, we find these words of God against the nation of Judah, "Thus says the Lord: 'For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment: (1) Because they have despised the law of the Lord, (2) And have not kept His commandments. (3) Their lies lead them astray, (4) Lies after which their fathers walked."

Those who are familiar with the history of Judah will remember that God allowed Judah to be lead away into Babylonian captivity. The mighty nation God had raised from the descendants of Abraham was all but destroyed because the people despised the law of the Lord and did not keep His commandments. Rather, they chose to be practice the lies of their own philosophy.

One has to wonder how much longer God will allow the condition of our nation, and perhaps the world to continue. How similar is our condition to that of Judah? Generally, our society appeals to human wisdom rather than the absolute truths of God's revealed word. In general, our society has "despised the law of the Lord" in social, moral and even religious arenas. Instead of appealing to God's word as the final authority and standard for human conduct, many are repulsed at the very mention of the Bible and classify those who appeal to it's instruction as fanatics.

Several years ago a prominent atheist-educator wrote "God is Dead" on a wall at the University of Chicago. Society was quick to accept this lie and rewrite our textbooks and social code. In God's place was put "value neutral" education. Thus values are taught with no appeal to "Thou shalt not," but plenty of appeal to "whatever feels good."

But where has our despising of the law of the Lord lead us? As society has substituted their lies for the commandments of God, society has not been made better, it has entered a downward spiral of self-destruction. The rate of violent crime, sexual immorality and it's result of disease and illegitimate births, depression, divorce, and general social unrest has steadily increased in the last four generations. And no wonder; when humanity denies it's spiritual uniqueness and gives itself entirely the physical side of life, respect for human life, and moral and social values, are going to deteriorate.

The lie of atheism and the general theory of evolution, which began to be espoused generations ago, is bearing its corrupted fruit in our generation. Unless this generation calls for an end to the lies, and demands a return to the truth of God's word, it will not be long until we experience a similar, if not worse fate, than that of Judah of old.

How can we turn it around? Simply by each of us turning around. As each of us turns to practice the truth of God's word, we will encourage our friends and neighbors to do the same (II Chron. 7:14). Don't wait for your friends and neighbors to make the turn first; they might be waiting on YOU.

By Doug Roush

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