Today I felt led to repost a word from November 2, 2019. Here is the Written Word: Days of Noah, God has been bringing up the word ‘bribery’ for the last few days and this word came to mind.
This scripture stood out especially when re-reading it.
“Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe makes even a righteous person twist the truth.
Interesting, this scripture is under the heading in the Bible titled, Justice and Mercy for the laws of God. He’s basically making a point that NO TRUE JUSTICE AND NO TRUE MERCY will be executed when mankind accepts bribes. Do you not see it yet? No justice and mercy is truly being executed in the world among men in their carnal nature. Bribery is condemned in the laws of God BECAUSE it impairs the impartial administration of justice, which eventually perverts judgment or also known as how you see things from right and wrong or how you make decisions. Do you see what’s caused this? Do you see it?
34 For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of those who love bribes.
God is revealing the godless among you. He says fire will consume them…(Heb. 12:29). He’s watching and preparing to burn down the tents. Do not dwell in their tents or you will be burned as well, but seek to be the doorkeeper in God’s house (Ps. 84:10). These doorkeepers were also known as ‘porters of the threshold.’ They guarded the gates of Yahweh, closing and opening them at the proper times. It made me think of a butler in the sense. A butler/porter is considered a chief manservant of the house. They may be in charge over ‘other employees’ but their key role is to serve the one that owns the house. Overall, he was a servant first and foremost. It wasn’t an extravagant role. He had some responsibilities, but mostly admitting/assisting ones entering in, a person that carries burdens (baggage), one who waits on passengers and makes up places of rest for others, and one who did routine cleaning. Hear what is being said here. It may sound like a very humble, lowly job, but it’s better to be THAT, than to be in the tents of the wicked when God shows up with fire!
Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.
Sound familiar? This scripture is under the caption ‘A Rebellious Nation.’ God is revealing what rebellion does among nations, rebellion against a holy God.
But this is what He says next:
24 Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies.
25 I will turn my hand against you;I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.
26 I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”
27 Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.
28 But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the LORD will perish.
29 “You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.
30 You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water.
31 The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.”
THE FIRE IS COMING!!! God will restore. He will bring HIS justice to His repentant ones. However, the rebels and sinners will be broken down. The ones that have forsaken the Lord when He came to them, and instead delighted in other things other than Him will be shamed and feel shame for what you chose over Him. Quickly, you will dry up and be easily burned by His consuming fire. NOW I WILL BE EXALTED SAYS THE LORD! I WILL RISE UP! Your life consumes you because you have chosen yourself over Me, you were not willing to lose this life FOR ME. What is your profit now, destruction? What will you try to bribe Me for, to save your soul, to attain power? For My kingdom cannot be bought (Acts 8:20-22). Your heart is not right. That’s why you will not take part in My kingdom’s authority. Repent. I may forgive you for this transgression. Your bitterness has instead overcome you and it makes you captive to sin which leads to your destruction.
MY TRUE REPENTANT, they will dwell with My everlasting burning and on the heights of where I am. I will be a refuge to them, THE MIGHTY FORTRESS. Their bread will be supplied, they will continuously hear Me and be provided for. My water, My Spirit, will not fail them (Isa. 33:10-24). You will see Me and see all that I have prepared for you, expanded in all areas. You will be covered by My tent, one that cannot be moved and nothing will be able to take it down. I will bring boundaries over the waters, that no one may pass over, no mighty ship or galley with oars (like a warship). You will not be able to crossover these waters, those that claim to be mighty and war with Me! I AM MIGHTY ONE (Ps. 50:1-6)! I will bring My justice and mercy! For I am the Judge of all things! I will save my righteous ones.
Hear now, His consuming fire is set to ablaze with fierceness…
See also: 1Sam. 8:1-22; Ps. 26:9-12; Isa. 1:2-31; Ezek. 47:1-12; Amos 5:1-17
This song and its lyrics also came up while writing this: In Your House