INTERPRET THE TIMES (9 OF 12)
Interpret the Times (9 of 12)
Series: Return and Seek: The Minor Prophets
Patrick Edwards
Zephaniah
Introduction
Jesus said,
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says in his heart, 'My master is delayed,' and starts to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards, that servant's master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, (Matthew 24:45-51).
There are a lot of things we could say about the wicked servant and a lot we could explore as to what motivates or shapes his actions. But one thing is clear in his attitude; he thinks he's untouchable. Whether it's that he doubts his master will ever return or thinks that even when he does his master won't punish him, it's clear that he acts without any regard, let alone fear, of his master.
It's like that kid who has never been disciplined by his parents, he's been given free rein to do whatever he likes without fear of correction. Why would he, then, listen to any authorities or guard his actions? He thinks he lives in a consequence-free world. Or consider an abusive relationship. Often a narcissistic, manipulative partner does whatever they like and treat their significant other however they want because, well, 'You're not going to leave me. You need me.'
Other times, however, a person is not quite so evil in their thinking as much as just ignorant. They presume everything they do is perfect, everything they believe is right on. I can think of friendships or even professional relationships I've had where there were problems and I would communicate those things, but t ...
Series: Return and Seek: The Minor Prophets
Patrick Edwards
Zephaniah
Introduction
Jesus said,
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says in his heart, 'My master is delayed,' and starts to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards, that servant's master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, (Matthew 24:45-51).
There are a lot of things we could say about the wicked servant and a lot we could explore as to what motivates or shapes his actions. But one thing is clear in his attitude; he thinks he's untouchable. Whether it's that he doubts his master will ever return or thinks that even when he does his master won't punish him, it's clear that he acts without any regard, let alone fear, of his master.
It's like that kid who has never been disciplined by his parents, he's been given free rein to do whatever he likes without fear of correction. Why would he, then, listen to any authorities or guard his actions? He thinks he lives in a consequence-free world. Or consider an abusive relationship. Often a narcissistic, manipulative partner does whatever they like and treat their significant other however they want because, well, 'You're not going to leave me. You need me.'
Other times, however, a person is not quite so evil in their thinking as much as just ignorant. They presume everything they do is perfect, everything they believe is right on. I can think of friendships or even professional relationships I've had where there were problems and I would communicate those things, but t ...
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