Topical Bible: Seeking God: They Who Neglect Denounced

◄ Seeking God: They Who Neglect Denounced ►

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In the biblical narrative, the act of seeking God is portrayed as a fundamental aspect of a faithful life, while neglecting to seek Him is met with stern warnings and denunciations. The Scriptures emphasize the importance of diligently pursuing a relationship with God, highlighting the consequences for those who fail to do so.

Old Testament Warnings

The Old Testament is replete with admonitions against neglecting to seek God. In 2 Chronicles 15:2, the prophet Azariah delivers a message to King Asa, stating, "The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." This passage underscores the reciprocal nature of the relationship between God and His people, emphasizing that neglecting to seek Him results in divine abandonment.

The prophet Jeremiah also addresses this issue, declaring in Jeremiah 10:21, "For the shepherds have become senseless and do not seek the LORD; therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered." Here, the failure of the leaders to seek God leads to chaos and dispersion, illustrating the broader societal impact of neglecting God.

Prophetic Denunciations

The prophets frequently denounced those who turned away from seeking God. In Hosea 7:10, the prophet laments, "Israel’s arrogance testifies against them, yet they do not return to the LORD their God; despite all this, they do not seek Him." This verse highlights the stubbornness of the people, who, despite their circumstances, refuse to seek God, leading to their downfall.

Amos 5:4-6 offers a poignant call to repentance: "For this is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: 'Seek Me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will come to nothing. Seek the LORD and live, or He will sweep through the house of Joseph like a fire; it will devour, with no one to quench it for Bethel.'" The prophet warns against seeking false places of worship and urges the people to seek the true God to avoid destruction.

New Testament Exhortations

The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to seek God earnestly. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This directive places the pursuit of God and His righteousness above all earthly concerns, promising divine provision for those who prioritize Him.

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 3:11, echoes the lament of the prophets, stating, "There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God." This verse, part of a larger discourse on the sinfulness of humanity, underscores the natural inclination to neglect God, necessitating divine intervention for true seeking to occur.

Consequences of Neglect

The Bible consistently warns of the dire consequences for those who neglect to seek God. In Zephaniah 1:6, the prophet declares judgment upon "those who turn back from following the LORD and neither seek the LORD nor inquire of Him." This passage illustrates the severity of divine judgment upon those who abandon their pursuit of God.

Similarly, in Proverbs 1:28-29, wisdom personified warns, "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD." This highlights the futility of seeking God only in times of distress after a life of neglect.

The biblical narrative, therefore, presents a clear and consistent message: seeking God is essential for a life aligned with His will, while neglecting this pursuit leads to spiritual and often physical ruin. The call to seek God is both an invitation and a warning, urging individuals to prioritize their relationship with the Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not to the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Trial of Saul.
... not feel that the only way of gaining it was seeking it in ... cold-hearted way, go by
the letter of God's commandments, while they neglect the spirit! ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon iii the trial of.htm

1 Timothy v. 15-Nov
... law properly assigned these things to them, as seeking things present ... God declares
that He will do that which He ... we take abundant care, as if they were permanent ...
/.../homily xv 1 timothy v.htm

The Great Duty of Charity Recommended
... is the generality thereof) are only seeking after preferment ... worth having charity
for, because they remain to ... be an instrument, in the hands of God, in bringing ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the great duty of charity.htm

Progress of Reform in Germany.
... Satan is constantly seeking to deceive men, and lead them to ... often censure and reproach
are cast upon God's faithful servants because they will stand ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /10 progress of reform in.htm

Progress of Reform in Germany
... Satan is constantly seeking to deceive men and lead them to ... often censure and reproach
are cast upon God's faithful servants because they will stand ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 10 progress of reform.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... they would in union with others, who, seeking to promote the glory of God, contemplate
the ... They know that certain parts of duty, such as communicating ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles
... They were offended because, instead of seeking a temporal throne ... of the Scriptures,
"having never learned." Of men they had not, truly; but the God of heaven ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 49 at the feast.htm

Luther's Separation from Rome.
... by faith, which he himself was seeking to uphold and ... and myself, been Hussites without
knowing it!" "God will surely ... He is, say they, the lord of the world! ...
/.../7 luthers separation from rome.htm

Luther's Separation from Rome
... by faith, which he himself was seeking to uphold and ... and myself, been Hussites without
knowing it!" "God will surely ... He is, say they, the lord of the world! ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 7 luthers separation from.htm

Marks of Having Received the Holy Ghost
... discern spiritual things, he is always seeking for happiness ... will cordially embrace
all who worship God in spirit and in truth, however they may differ ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/marks of having received the.htm