Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring on this city and on all her towns all the doom that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their necks that they might not hear My words. Jeremiah 19:15
People can often be very stubborn and stuck in their ways, refusing to change or do anything differently. Those who are like this are called a stiff-necked people. They hold their head high and refuse to look to the left or right and see the correct path to take, staying on the wrong path.
Jeremiah quotes God saying that He will bring upon the city all the doom He had already pronounced against it, because they had stiff necks and would not hear His words. The people had chosen to follow false idols.
It is easy for people to get stuck in their own ways and refuse to move. All they see is their own way and think it is best. Often, they do not believe that there is another way. All they want is pleasure in the moment.
Cities and communities all over the world are filled with people who have stiff necks, they are set in their ways and refuse to budge. Sin is promoted as good, and godly character is promoted as evil. This can be expected in the world that does not know God, but it is also occurring in churches that are supposed to know God and His ways.
Right now, it appears as if all are getting away with it, but there is coming a day of judgement. God may be using temporary judgement to get the attention of the people, but if not, there will be an eternal judgement.
Believers do not need to be stiff necked but need to hear the words of God and follow His ways and flee all evil.
You probably have ways in your life that you are solidly sold out on. Change in those areas are something that you will not do. As you look at those areas, what areas do you see? Are you unchanging on ways that are sinful and against God and His ways? Or are you unchanging and stiff necked about serving God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength?
Put God first in your life and be stiff necked about it. In the end you will win.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s ways; that you will hear God’s commands; that you will obey all God says; and that you will not be found stiff necked against God.
Picture by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash
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