Being Left Alone

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught His disciples not to give what was holy to the dogs or cast their pearls before swine.  It would be abominable to offer food God provided to sustain the priests and Levites to scavenging dogs, and it makes no sense to toss valuable pearls at animals that will disregard them and trample them underfoot.  God has given us great wisdom in His word that is food for our souls we ought to treasure, and when people refuse to regard God or hear His word there is little point to continue speaking to them on the subject.  They will try to bite the hand that tries to feed them.

Since Jesus told His disciples not to give what is holy to the dogs, we can know He walks in His own wisdom.  We can see this illustrated in the life of king Saul who disregarded God's word and disobeyed the word of the LORD spoke through Samuel, and when given opportunity to repent and humble himself Saul refused to do so.  He cared only for his own honour before the people.  The Spirit of God left him and an evil spirit sent by God troubled him, yet he still did not repent.  A time came when Saul was afraid of the Philistine army and cried out to God, yet God did not answer him.  Why?  He had refused to listen to or obey God, so why should God say anything?  Saul's response of seeking the aid of a medium tells us God was perfectly justified to remain silent, for he was unwilling to wait on God and submit to his word.

One scripture that is often repeated without context is found in Hosea 4:6 when God said, "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge...".  The knowledge God spoke of is found in Hosea 4:1 when God lamented there was "...no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land."  This lack of knowledge of God led to ignorance of His law and disobedience as we see in Hosea 4:2 & 6.  A consequence of God's people rejecting and forgetting His law was He would forget their children.  Knowing God disciplines those He loves like a father chastens his son in whom he delights, I shuddered at the implications when I read Hosea 4:17:  "Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone."  When people are sinning, they do not like to have their sin pointed out.  We prefer to be left alone and do our own thing, yet because God loves us He will convict of sin, righteousness and judgment.  He will pursue us and continue to speak to us so we might forsake our sin and return to Him.  In Ephraim's case, a point had been reached when God said to leave them alone.  His words would fall on wilfully deaf ears and proud hearts, so He had nothing to say to them.

I am reminded of a similar statement Jesus made when speaking of Jewish religious rulers.  The Pharisees were offended when Jesus said they worshipped God in vain due to their hypocrisy.  The disciples of Jesus weren't sure He knew they were offended by His words and asked Him.  Matthew 15:13-14 reads, "But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. ¹⁴ Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Jesus did not give the Pharisees the "silent" treatment, for He spoke God's wisdom plainly and personally to them.  But when they refused to receive His correction and were offended, Jesus told His disciples, "Let them alone."  Being blind leaders who would not submit to Jesus opening their eyes, they would end up falling in a ditch.  It might be spiritually falling into a ditch and not being able to climb out that would prompt them to humble themselves, cry out to Jesus the Good Shepherd and be saved.

God chastens His children out of love, and He also is moved by love to let alone the proud, stubborn soul determined to go his own way to ruin.  If Ephraim would not listen to God, learn of Him and walk in His ways, shame from their idolatry could lead the northern kingdom to repentance and restoration.  Consider the meekness of God's wisdom that is pure, peaceable, and willing to yield--so even sinners who were left alone could be redeemed and reconciled to Himself!  It was when he was left alone with the pigs the prodigal in the parable came to his senses and returned to his father who waited for him with open arms.  We know God is always inclined to save, for Jesus commands His disciples to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use and persecute us.  Our enemies may not listen to God, but He will hear our prayers offered for their sakes.