Like People, Like Priest

The old saying goes, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."  The meaning behind this phrase is usually that children exhibit character or qualities also found in their parents.  One could also say, "Like father, like son."  The genetic information in the seeds of apples grow trees that produce the same variety of apples, and genetics are passed down in people as well.  While physical appearance, personality traits or mannerisms can closely resemble parents, every child is uniquely created by God.  It would be presumptuous to credit or blame parents as entirely responsible for their children's choices and behaviour.

It is assumed by some people are the product of their environment, family and society, almost fated by external factors to respond in a particular way.  There are so many exceptions to this I wonder how it could be assumed true.  Many people who have grown up in a worldly environment have been born again by faith in Jesus, and others who made a profession of faith and grew up going to church have abandoned any semblance of a life in pursuit of Christ.  God is glorious in His power to transform lives, while He still gives people the freedom to make a choice to heed Him or not.

Recently I was reminded of a principle God laid forth in Hosea that reverses the apple and tree cliche in regards to governance.  God revealed Himself to the children of Israel, lead them with His presence, provided for them in the wilderness, established them in the Promised Land, and gave them His laws.  Priests were tasked with teaching the people of God and His ways, upholding God's laws with justice.  In the book of Hosea, God noted how His people were destroyed for the lack of knowledge of God and His righteous ways.  Because the people were corrupted with hearts set on sin, God spoke forth His judgment in Hosea 4:9:  "And it shall be: like people, like priest. So I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their deeds."  God would allow priests to minister who resembled the people who were base; that would be a reward to people for their iniquity before the LORD.

We see this on display before Hosea spoke those words, for Hophni and Phinehas were priests borne out of a day when everyone did what was right in their own eyes.  This was not foreign to the prophet Jeremiah either, for he said in Jeremiah 5:30-31:  "An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: ³¹ the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?"  When legislation is passed that is a grief to God-fearing people, it is wisdom to realise the problem is not primarily a political party or left or right-wing agenda:  sinful legislation that calls evil good and good evil is allowed by God to discipline a city, state and nation that have wandered from the fear of God.  God's people are not helpless or hopeless even when the wicked rule, for God is a hope and refuge for all who seek Him.

Daniel was a righteous man, and the best men are willing to view themselves in the worst light, confessing their own sin before the LORD.  It is a cop-out to decry those who rule as wicked without recognising those who rule are of the people--each of them one of us--and we also are not innocent of great transgression before the LORD.  For all who grieve over the godless state of our people and nation, let us humbly receive correction and pray as Daniel did in Daniel 9:17-19:  "Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord's sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. ¹⁸ O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. ¹⁹ O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name."