“WHEN GOD REACTED TO DESPISE”

To regard something or somebody as worthless, low, with disdain and or angry dislike; that is an expression of Despise.Consciously or not, we all get entangled in Despise in different ways.  We can show it in words, expressions and remarks.  We can also show it in our actions, behaviors, attitude and looks. In whatever ways, Despise is usually directed to a person, persons or thing.

When we treat the poor around us with great disdain. When we deliberately overlook or disobey parental instructions (for example, contracting a marriage in total disregard to parental consent and presence). A mockery expression to friends or people going through trial moments in life, disregard to those who helped  us get to the top, keeping visitors ( especially the poor) waiting for too long for no good reason before receiving them – either in office or house, etc. Sowing Despise could be as a result of our status in life and society, seniority, financial ability, talents and or mere inherent character. These are deliberate and unassuming ways we express Despise and in most cases, we easily go away with it. One of the reasons here could possibly be that the person or persons we show Despise to lacks the audacity and ability to react.

It is however a different ball game when we show Despise to God. A Despise to the Church / Body of Christ, to a Church Leader / Leadership, to Divine / Kingdom responsibilities handed to us – are great Despise to God. Most dangerously, when we doubt God in gross unbelief – to the potency and efficacy of his word, and his ability to do that which he says he will do. God frowns at this. His reaction to it may be spontaneous or prolong; but certainly it must come to pass especially where repentance is not shown.

God remains the loving and ever merciful father we all know. But he is also a consuming fire, the God of vengeance and judgment. In I Samuel 2:30; the Bible says God honors those that honor him and those that despise him shall be lightly esteemed. This sounds scary but it is the truth. One lesson of note here is that Despise is an off-shoot of a “proud look” – one of the seven abominations God hates. (Read Proverbs 6:16-17).

In 1Samuel 2:22-30; God was angry with Eli the Priest and his two sons (Hophni and Phinehas). They despised divine responsibility. They despised to God.  They ministers together with their father in the house of God but at a time they took divine charge for granted. They laid with women who came to the house of God and also manipulated offerings brought to the house of God. Both of them were in the business of immorality and covetousness in course of their duties. Eli served God faithfully as a priest (remember he offered the prophetic prayer that manifested Samuel). But God’s anger to Eli was his inability to discipline his children on serious issues like this – even when God brought it to his awareness. God warned but they heeded not.

In 1Samuel 2:31-36, God reacted to their great Despise. In Samuel 4: 11 & 18, God’s reaction came to pass. The two sons of Eli and even Eli himself died. Above all, the Priesthood was taken from their family and given to another. There was a replacement and little Samuel was the choice.

In 2 Kings 7:1-2; in the midst of sever famine in Israel, God spoke through his servant Elisha for a miraculous abundance of food in less 24 hours. This should bring the famine to an end. The officer assisting the King doubted the word of God spoken through his servant. He remarked that even if God opened the windows of Heaven, it would be impossible to have abundance of food in Israel as Elisha stated.  What an open Despise to God!!.

Instantly Jehovah reacted through his servant. Elisha pronounced that the officer would see the abundance but won’t partake in it. In verse 17 and 18 of this same chapter; the reaction of God came to pass. The king’s officer was knocked down and trampled to death at the gate by people who were rushing for food; the same people he was asked to coordinate.

As Christians, we must be watchful. Our behaviors and actions could suggest Despise to Almighty God diverse ways. He may be silent but certainly there is a day when he will react.