Heralds Digest

“Your fierceness has deceived you, The pride of your heart, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Who hold the height of the hill! Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there,” says the LORD.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭49:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.49.16.nkjv If dwelling in the clefts of the rock created a delightful attraction in the days of Edom, building stations in the space in our days must be a blown-away attraction for the likes of today’s Elon Musk. However, it is instructive to note that the burden of Edom was not ‘the ride to your height’ but ‘the pride of your heart’. The stride in the height of man means nothing to God; but many things go wrong when the heart goes high. ‘Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall’, says the holy scriptures. Promotion in career life and ministry or prosperity through business achievement is a delightful experience, until the detestable pride stage a revolting mess in the heart....

“Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will cause to be heard an alarm of war In Rabbah of the Ammonites; It shall be a desolate mound, And her villages shall be burned with fire. Then Israel shall take possession of his inheritance,” says the LORD...Why do you boast in the valleys, Your flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? Who trusted in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭49:2, 4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.49.2,4.nkjv The difference between an incidental and institutionalized call of action is clear, especially for a call to corrupt practices. Enforcement of correction is easier with incidental calls, compared with institutionalized calls with all the strength to resist correction. Referring to the confidence of Rabbah of the Ammonites in her political and economic treasures, the scripture confirmed the institution “Who trusted in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’” While confidence in institutionaliz...

““We have heard the pride of Moab (He is exceedingly proud), Of his loftiness and arrogance and pride, And of the haughtiness of his heart.” “I know his wrath,” says the LORD, “But it is not right; His lies have made nothing right...And Moab shall be destroyed as a people, Because he exalted himself against the LORD.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭48:29-30, 42‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.48.29-30,42.nkjv Intelligence and dexterity are significantly resourceful in the planning and implementation of the project of life. However, the management of these human resource without the understanding and accommodation of the diversity in the people concerned (either at home or in the societal workplaces) often lead to the mismanagement of offences. While people could readily testify to Moab’s problem of pride, God provided the correct diagnosis - which is ‘wrath’ or anger management. If Moses, who was proudly proclaimed by God as the meekest of all men could fail the test of anger management when subje...

““O you sword of the LORD, How long until you are quiet? Put yourself up into your scabbard, Rest and be still! How can it be quiet, Seeing the LORD has given it a charge Against Ashkelon and against the seashore? There He has appointed it.”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭47:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.47.6-7.nkjv The reference to the relentless efforts of the sword of the Lord towards the plundering of Philistines is noteworthy. The name, status and reservation of the agents used for the execution were not even mentioned. Why should name, status and reservation of agents of the Spirit of the Lord count, when influenced or inspired for righteousness? Is the pit of Hell the only reason why it is easier to plunder than to preach? Otherwise, the church’s treatment of the charged commission is called into question. When the Spirit of the Lord fall on vessels that wholly surrendered themselves, there are always no reservation to implementation, until the work of the ministry is fully accompli...

“O you daughter dwelling in Egypt, Prepare yourself to go into captivity! For Noph shall be waste and desolate, without inhabitant...The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will bring punishment on Amon of No, and Pharaoh and Egypt, with their gods and their kings—Pharaoh and those who trust in him.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭46:19, 25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.46.19,25.nkjv The choice of residency based on the standard of living is like camping in a political party based on campaign promises and manifestos. Even in political climes where party ideology holds, it is difficult to play god with party performances based on their manifesto. There is always a force majeure experience in human government, where human control gives way to divine providence. Such was the shock reality from the prophecy to the daughters of Egypt. And to all who put their trust in Pharaoh and his political machineries, the Lord declares “Prepare yourself to go into captivity!” Unfortunately, many p...

“Come up, O horses, and rage, O chariots! And let the mighty men come forth: The Ethiopians and the Libyans who handle the shield, And the Lydians who handle and bend the bow...The nations have heard of your shame, And your cry has filled the land; For the mighty man has stumbled against the mighty; They both have fallen together.”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭46:9, 12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.46.9,12.nkjv The thought of the exploits in might (physical, financial, and political) comes with some sense of confidence. While the lack of might brings emotional discomfort, life appears relatively comfortable with a privileged sense of might, compared with the invisible confidence of trusting in divine abilities. As a symbol of strength of might, the people of God are easily driven to the altar of trusting in the strength of horses, rages, and chariots. Unfortunately, many innocent people are freely intimidated and frivolously oppressed, especially when men become intoxicated with the strength ...

“And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the LORD. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” ’ ”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭45:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.45.5.nkjv The earthly expectation from the expeditions of human intelligence and material resources is, at least, meaningful appreciation. However, the desire for material gratification would readily prevent the inspiration and discovery of great talents and new innovations. Baruch the scribe was caught in the web of failed earthly expectations and discouraging outbursts. And the counsel of the Lord to him was “Do not seek them [earthly expectations]; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh”. The price of earthly expectations is not always commensurate with the prize, which is ultimately adversity and the anguish of the soul. However, the Lord promises all who seek those things which are above “But I will give your l...