Jeremiah 25, 29
H - "'For twenty-three years, from the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, to this day, the word of Yahweh has come to me [Jeremiah], and I have spoken persistently to you [Judah], but you have not listened. You have neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear, although Yahweh persistently sent to you all his servants the prophets saying, "Turn now, every one of you, from his evil way and evil deeds, and dwell upon the land that Yahweh has given to you and your fathers from of old and forever."'" - Jeremiah 25:3-5
E - For 23 years, Jeremiah has been persistently warning the leaders and people of Judah, but they have not listened. Therefore, Babylon will conquer Judah and the surrounding nations. Judah will live in exile in Babylon for 70 years, drinking the cup of God's wrath.
A - How should the New Zealand church warn the people of New Zealand today? Does New Zealand need prophets warning of God's wrath? What will happen to New Zealand if it continues to reject you, Lord? I feel New Zealanders are spiritually apathetic and complacent because they live far away from other nations and are blessed with abundant food and other resources. New Zealand spends very little on national defense because there is no perceived military threat. Personal expression and autonomy dominate, and few are concerned about survival. That's what makes New Zealand so secular and anti-God. New Zealand is just fine without God. But from a biblical point of view, judgment will come to all nations, including New Zealand. We don't have the specifics, but we do know bad times are coming for New Zealand. It could be internal degradation leading to rule by a manipulative authoritarian elite or external invasion by a nation like China. This is the pattern of history. The point for us as Christians is we need to warn New Zealanders where persistent rejection of God will lead.
R - Father, I pray for this country, New Zealand. May I be one of the warners. May the Church provide a clear warning to the society that rejection of God and evil conduct results in God's fair judgment. May the Church speak bravely and clearly from a theological viewpoint and not a scientific, socio-economic viewpoint. Like Jeremiah, help us to warn persistently. Amen.
- Jeff Coleman