Relentless Compassion

All the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful. They followed all the pagan practices of the surrounding nations, desecrating the Temple of the LORD that had been consecrated in Jerusalem. The LORD, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the LORD’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done. 2 Chronicles 36:14-16

IN THESE VERSES, we see that Yahweh is a persistent and patient Father, providing every opportunity for his children to obey and thereby enjoy all of his blessings. He gave the Israelites priests who took their concerns into the presence of God and offered their sacrifices on the altar of God. But the priests were unfaithful and began to exploit God’s people and lead them astray. He came down to dwell among his people in the Temple’s Most Holy Place, but they desecrated his house by offering sacrifices to other gods within its holy walls. He sent prophets who warned of what would happen if the Israelites persisted in their rebellion. But instead of listening to the prophets, the people mocked them.

These final verses in 2 Chronicles present a seemingly sad ending in light of all of the promises God had made to them and all of the blessings he had poured out on them. But though this is the end of the history recorded in this book, it is nowhere near the end of the story. God would continue to extend himself to his rebellious children. The day would come when he would send a better priest to dwell with his people, not in the Temple but among them as one of them. Rather than sending his Word through a prophet, the Word would become flesh.

God did not give up on his people in the face of their rejection. He continued to pursue them and draw them to himself. And this is still God’s character. This is the God in whom we have put our hope for our children. Though they may so far have resisted and rejected God’s provision or mocked and scoffed at God’s Word, don’t give up. He is relentless in his pursuit of his people.

Lord, you are a relentless Father, pursuing us in love. Help me to pursue ________ while modeling your kind of faithfulness, your kind of persistence, your kind of compassion.