High Position Lost
Scripture has numerous stories about people in very high places that have faced humiliating falls in their lives, King David with Bathsheba was small when compared to Pharaoh in Egypt when God “Exodused” his people from slavery and sin. Pharaoh lost flocks and herds, gardens and orchards, the “First Born” of animals and humans, then his whole work force “walk off the job and out of the country,” and then he lost his complete army, soldiers, commanders, infantry, and chariots, all gone in a matter of a few short days. Haman the Agagite who aspired to destroy God’s people in a single day, and like Pharaoh, failed miserably, for Haman was also hung and he died on his own gallows, which he aspired to hang Mordecai the Jew, who then inherited his High Position, and Esther inherited his vast wealth and properties. 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 “Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he [was] the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him [came] the chief ruler; but the birthright [was] Joseph’s)”
Reuben had an affair with one of his father’s wives (not his mother) he repented, was forgiven, but the damage was done and he had therefore unfitted himself to the Holy Office of “Birthright.” Judah, though in preeminence in so many things, and was also the Tribe of Messiah Jesus Christ, fell short as his second wife was Tamar, who was actually the widow of his firstborn son and was awaiting marriage to his youngest son. Basically, Judah was inappropriate with her, she fell pregnant with twins, named Pharez and Zarah. Ruth 4:18-22 “Now these [are] the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, and Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.”
Even though Judah had this high and dignified heritage, yet by a moment’s foolishness and inappropriate behavior, he lost his best position in the Tribes of Israel, as Joseph inherited the Birthright. Esau was careless about his lifestyle and behavior, and like many before, and after him, for a moments perceived pleasure, so much was eternally lost. And it was never worth the results, for in receiving crumbs in this life, they could have had a seat at Heaven’s Banquet. Romans 12:16 -17 “Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”
Esau’s tribe, who moved southwards after Jacob came back with his vast flocks and herds and inheritance, therefor Esau lived in the mountains and valleys about the Dead Sea area, sort of took over from where the Amalekites were around Mt Seir, and Esau made up the kingdom of the Edomite’s, named after Esau whose name was changed to Edom. Through perpetual sin and perversion, in latter generations, God had to finally call for Judah to exterminate them to protect everyone from their contaminating corruptions.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14 “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, [even] against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking [counsel] of [one that had] a familiar spirit, to inquire [of it]; and inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.” Saul became the first King of the vast nation of Israel/Judah, but Saul so often fell short, 1 Samuel 5:22-23 “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.” King Saul lost his high position, and one of his servants, King David took over his vacated position.
We so often sit back and ridicule and accuse these people of foolish and inadvisable behavior, when we are doing exactly the same thing for which our righteous indignation is accusing others, when we are just as guilty. So what positions are we failing to achieve? Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.” Matthew 21:43 “Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.”
Quote; “Could those whose lives have been spent in rebellion against God be suddenly transported to heaven and witness the high, the holy state of perfection that ever exists there,— every soul filled with love, every countenance beaming with joy, enrapturing music in melodious strains rising in honor of God and the Lamb, and ceaseless streams of light flowing upon the redeemed from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne,—could those whose hearts are so filled with hatred of God, of truth and holiness, mingle with the heavenly throng and join their songs of praise? Could they endure the glory of God and the Lamb? No, no; years of probation were granted them, that they might form characters for heaven; but they have never trained the mind to love purity; they have never learned the language of heaven, and now it is too late. A life of rebellion against God has unfitted them for the purity of heaven. Its purity, holiness, and peace would be torture to them; the glory of God would be a consuming fire. They would long to flee from that holy place. They would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them. The destiny of the wicked is fixed by their own choice. Their exclusion from heaven is voluntary with themselves, and just and merciful on the part of God.” {DD 16}
Question; When will we cease from unfitting ourselves from our “High and Holy Position” as “Children of God” and thus end up losing our Eternal Life? Quote; “Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God’s ideal for His children. Godliness–godlikeness–is the goal to be reached. {Ed 18}
