[Biblemat] A>VT (Kent Heaton)

[kerux]

VT

(Kent Heaton)

 

The course of human history began with great hope and great expectation. Dimmed by darkness through sin man was driven from the paradise given to him by his Creator to dwell in a world that would become hard, cruel and full of hatred. It began within the first family. "Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him" (Genesis 4:8). Lamech said to his wives, "I have killed a man for wounding me and a boy for striking me" (Genesis 4:23). In the days of Noah, Jehovah saw "the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). The sons of Jacob slew the men of the city where their sister Dinah had been defiled (Genesis 34). Pharaoh decreed that sons born to the Hebrews would be killed and when his law was unheeded declared every son born of the Hebrews was to be cast into the river (Exodus 1).

In Judges 19, the horrific story is told of the concubine of a Levite whom the men of Gibeah raped and abused all night until morning and let her go. Joab murdered Abner taking him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach (2 Samuel 3:22-30). Ishbosheth was murdered in 2 Samuel 4. Uriah is murdered in 2 Samuel 11 through the hand of King David. Naboth was murdered by the evil hand of Jezebel for a plot of ground (1 Kings 21). Eleven kings of Israel and Judah were assassinated. 

Herod sent forth his army and "put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under" (Matthew 2:16). John the Baptist was beheaded by the whims and jealousies of a mother and daughter (Matthew 14). James the brother of John was killed by the sword (Acts 12). Time cannot tell of those who were "were tortured . experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated" (Hebrews 11:35-37).

The inhumanity of man upon man is as long as the record of time. "Being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful" (Romans 1:29-31) man has continued to bring heartache and sorrow to his fellowman. Once again we have experienced the depravity of man's hatred for his fellow man in the massacre at Virginia Tech. There are few answers to explain. Fewer words to find to solace. No thoughts to fully understand the gravity of this national sadness.

>From the blood-stained field of Cain's killing of his brother to the events of our day and days beyond we see how the world continues to exchange the truth of God for the lie; not wanting to retain God in their knowledge. Men are "lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:2-4). The darkness of the power of Satan continues to overwhelm and have sway over the hearts of men. 

How do we answer the troubled questions? How do we understand the cruelty? Where can we find hope in the midst of such despair? The only answer can be found in the peace given by Jesus Christ. "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).


Kent Heaton
207 NE Fourth Avenue
Trenton, Florida  32693
(Home) 352-463-6916
(Office) 352-463-3793
(Cell) 352-283-3889
kerux at bellsouth.net
www.trentonchurchofchrist.com
www.northfloridabiblecamp.com
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