Paul a Prisoner
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It is impossible for the worldly and pleasure-loving to rightly value
the messages of warning and reproof which God sends to correct the
errors of his people. They cannot distinguish between the earnestness
and zeal of the faithful servant, and the trifling, superficial spirit of
him who is unfaithful. One declares that the sword is coming; the
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other puts far off the evil day. One faithfully reproves sin; the other
excuses and palliates it. As the professed people of God depart from
him and lose the simplicity of the faith, the words of his messengers
seem to them unnecessarily harsh and severe. They cherish prejudice
and unbelief, and finally place themselves fully on Satan’s side. His
suggestions seem pleasant and palatable; they are controlled, in spirit
and opinion, by the arch-deceiver, and having permitted him to direct
their thoughts, they soon permit him to direct their actions.
Christ presented before the assembly at Nazareth a fearful truth
when he declared that with backsliding Israel there was no safety for
the faithful messenger of God. They would not know his worth, or
appreciate his labors. While they professed to have great zeal for the
honor of God and the good of Israel, they were the worst enemies of
both. They were by precept and example leading the people farther
and farther from obedience to God and purity and simplicity of faith,—
leading them where he could not reveal himself as their defense in the
day of trouble. God sent Elijah to the widow of Sarepta, because he
could not trust him with Israel.
These cutting reproofs, though presented by the Majesty of Heaven,
the Jews of Nazareth refused to hear. They had but a moment before
witnessed to the gracious words that proceeded from his lips; the Spirit
of God was speaking to their hearts; but the instant a reflection was
cast upon them,—at the first intimation that persons of other nations
could be more worthy of the favor of God than they,—those proud,
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unbelieving Jews were frantic with rage. They would have taken the
life of the Son of God, had not angels interposed for his deliverance.
Those men of Nazareth manifested the same spirit toward Christ which
their forefathers had manifested toward Elijah. Blinded by Satan, they
could not perceive the divine character of the Son of God, or appreciate
the truth and purity of his instructions.
The Saviour’s words of reproof to the men of Nazareth apply in
the case of Paul, not only to the unbelieving Jews, but to his own
brethren in the faith. Had the leaders in the church fully surrendered