God Will Repay

The story is told of a farmer in a Midwestern state who had a strong disdain for "religious" things.  As he plowed his field on Sunday morning, he would shake his fist at the church people who passed by on their way to worship.

   October came and the farmer had his finest crop ever--the best in the entire county.  When the harvest was complete, he placed an advertisement in the local paper which belittled the Christians for their faith in God.  Near the end of his diatribe he wrote, "Faith in God must not mean much if someone like me can prosper."

   The response from the Christians in the community was quiet and polite.  In the next edition of the town paper, a small ad appeared. ... It read simply, "God doesn't always settle His accounts in October."

I.                    Mocking

A.                Go Up

B.                 Baldhead—Contemptible Language [Suggests Outcast]

1.                  Leapers shave their heads

C.                 Youth

1.                  Lit. Young men responsible for their actions

2.                  Size suggests the taunting was pre-arranged

II.                 Judgment

A.                Their Scorn Dishonored God

B.                 They are Cursed for . . .

‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ “And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is the one who makes the blind to wander off the road.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his father’s wife, because he has uncovered his father’s bed.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is the one who lies with any kind of animal.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his mother-in-law.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is the one who attacks his neighbor secretly.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to slay an innocent person.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ”" (Deuteronomy 27:15-26)

C.                 Judgment of God is Swift

As a older woman  was walking towards the United Nations Building in New York City, she came upon a street evangelist who was trying to get the attention of passersby. He urged those near him to flee from the wrath to come.

   "I warn you," he roared, "that there will be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth!"

   An old woman in the crowd shouted snidely: "Sir, I have no teeth!"

   "Lady," the evangelist retorted, "teeth will be provided!"

Application:

People ought not to think that God will allow dishonor and disgrace of Him or His servants to go unnoticed—punishment will occur.  Sometimes it is swift, but sometimes it is slow.  However, the fact is God is the judge and he will repay.

The sins you do by two and two, ye must pay for, one by one. Rudyard Kipling