Nineveh and Sheba

The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here  (Matthew 12:41-42).

As I look back on the recent election and its results, and on the ongoing issue of the ‘pandemic’ and how it has been and continues to be a tool in the hands of the powers that be, I cannot help but stand aghast at the corruption, deceit, manipulation, and outright lawlessness of the country’s leadership. This is not sour grapes on my part. It is an expressed disgust at the shameless way in which those who are to lead the country and be an example to the people have so debased themselves as to warrant my disinterest in them altogether.

The Pharisees and Scribes charged Jesus with being in league with Satan for healing the poor demoniac. They were men charged with the responsibility to lead the Jewish people into godliness: holiness of character and righteousness of conduct. These were men whose lineage boasted of a personal relationship with God Most High. They were the repository of the commandments, statutes, and ordinances of YHWH. They were custodians of the covenant of faith. They were to be the example to the nations of a God fearing, God honoring, God serving people. Yet they called God’s Son a servant of Satan, hated Him, condemned Him, and had Him crucified. Why? Because He exposed their godless corruption - He was ‘draining their swamp’.

Jesus said on the day of judgment the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba would be called by the Lord of Glory to testify against these apostates, spiritual adulterers, and idolaters. Think of it. The people of Nineveh were Gentiles outside the commonwealth of Israel. They didn’t know God. They were pagan, evil, and violent. God spoke to them through the prophet Jonah and they repented of their sin and turned to God. God spoke to the elders of Israel through Jesus the Messiah, and they crucified Him!

The Queen of Sheba (the Sabean nation) was a godless woman, a pagan, a Gentile, who traveled over 1,200 miles to sit at the feet of King Solomon to listen to the wisdom of God and to give Him honor. She too will stand to testify against the elders of Israel for their sin. Do you think this scathing denunciation of the Pharisees and Scribes by Jesus brought them to their knees in repentance? A hardened heart knows no repentance. A faithless religionist knows no fellowship with God. We denounce Judas Iscariot for walking with Jesus for 3 years only to betray Him. Jesus denounced those who have been exposed to the light but choose to remain in darkness.

“Lord Jesus, how horrific is Your judgment upon those who refuse to see and hear and acknowledge Your Lordship. How blessed are those whose eyes have been opened to Your truth and have responded in faith to Your offer of salvation. Remind us there are those still outside Your Kingdom who need to hear Your Gospel, and send us to them. In Your name I ask, Amen.”

Pastor