Crackling Thorns & the Message of Truth

The Sapphire Review Vol. 1 | No. 5 • June 25, 2024

So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.

Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 30:10–11

Reflection

Solomon likens the laughter of a foolish person to the crackling of thorns that are burning under a pot. Rejecting the truth is one thing, but laughing and mocking at the truth is another thing entirely. Such laughter is only temporary and will be silenced in the day of judgement.¹

When Hezekiah took the throne, over the kingdom of Judah, he came in with great zeal toward God. He sought to restore truth and to turn the hearts of the people back to the one true God, and to the obedience of His commands.²

Feast keeping, as part of the shadow of the sacrificial system which pointed to Christ, had been lost. In fact, we read in 2 Chronicles 30:26 that a feast had not been celebrated in like manner and joy since the time of Solomon, over 200 years prior. Hezekiah’s feast was that of Passover / Unleavened bread, while Solomon’s was that of Tabernacles – following the dedication of the temple.³

Hezekiah’s message to return to God and His truths was even sent out to many people in the backslidden kingdom of Israel, which was not under his dominion. As Hezekiah’s faithful messengers conducted the work of sharing his proclamation, they were not welcomed by the majority of those who were living in the darkness of a false religious system. These messengers faced rejection and ridicule. They were even laughed at and mocked when they spoke the message of truth and voiced the call to return to God.⁴

Yet, these messengers diligently carried out the work assigned to them. In verse 11, we find the ultimate purpose for their plight in going to the uninviting lands of Israel.  A small number of the people who heard the truth actually responded to it, humbled themselves, and turned to God.

Application

As we consider these events, and think about the world that we live in today, is it really much different for us? Certainly, the message of the Sabbath and that of the one true God will provoke scorn, scoffing, and denial to come forth from the majority of those who are caught up in the deceptions of fallen, mainstream Protestantism. Additionally, if there is any message that will incite a level of mocking and laughter like Hezekiah’s servants faced, it is the truth of Biblical Cosmology.

Despite the challenges and certainties that accompany the task, we are nonetheless called to proclaim the message of truths that God has restored in these final moments of time. Our purpose is not for the masses that will reject the call, but rather for the few who will receive the truths with humble hearts and turn to God.

Hezekiah’s messengers were not deterred by the mocking of the majority. Their mission was a success, measured by the fact that the humble hearts of a few did respond. Those few would not have received the message unless a messenger brought it forth. We should have the same determination and purpose in mind.⁵

Eventually probation will end and there will be no more messengers being sent forth. Until that time, we are called to be light bearers. We must let our lights shine through our deeds and through our proclamation of God’s truths.⁶

Prayer

May God equip us and embolden us to go forth and share His truths with zeal and the power of His spirit within us. May we not be discouraged by rejection, scoffing, laughing, or mocking that may come through many of the hearers, but rather be encouraged in knowing that God will work through our efforts to bring the seeds of truth into the hearts of a humble few.

God Bless,

Charles

Scripture Index

1. Psa 107:42; Ecc 7:6; Mat 22:12.

2. 2Ki 18:5-6; 2Ch 29:3, 31:20-21.

3. 2Ch 5:3, 7:8-11, 30:5.

4. 2Ch 30:5-11.

5. Rom 10:14-15.

6. 2Ch 36:15-16; Mat 5:14; Luk 11:33; Rev 22:11.