The concept of "The Call of God" is a central theme throughout the Bible, representing God's invitation to individuals and nations to enter into a relationship with Him, fulfill His purposes, and live according to His will. However, the Bible also addresses the sobering reality of rejection by God, which occurs when individuals or groups persistently refuse His call, leading to divine judgment or abandonment.

Biblical Instances of Rejection by God

1. Saul, the First King of Israel: Saul's rejection by God is a poignant example of divine abandonment due to disobedience. Initially chosen by God to lead Israel, Saul's repeated failure to obey God's commands led to his rejection. In 1 Samuel 15:26, the prophet Samuel conveys God's decision: "I will not return with you, because you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel." Saul's rejection underscores the importance of obedience to God's call.

2. The Israelites in the Wilderness: The generation of Israelites who left Egypt under Moses' leadership experienced God's rejection due to their persistent unbelief and rebellion. Despite witnessing God's miraculous works, they failed to trust Him. As a result, God declared that they would not enter the Promised Land. Numbers 14:22-23 states, "Not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, but who have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times—not one will ever see the land I swore to give their fathers."

3. The Northern Kingdom of Israel: The ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom faced rejection by God due to their idolatry and refusal to heed prophetic warnings. In 2 Kings 17:20, it is recorded, "So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence." This rejection culminated in their exile by the Assyrians.

4. The Pharisees and Religious Leaders: In the New Testament, Jesus frequently confronted the religious leaders of His day for their hypocrisy and rejection of God's message. In Matthew 21:42-43, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23, saying, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes." He warns that the kingdom of God will be taken away from them and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

Theological Implications

Rejection by God is not arbitrary but is a response to persistent disobedience, unbelief, and rejection of His call. It serves as a warning of the consequences of hardening one's heart against God. The Bible emphasizes that God's desire is for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), yet He respects human free will, allowing individuals to choose their path.

Hope and Restoration

Despite instances of rejection, the Bible also offers hope for restoration. God's judgments are often accompanied by calls to repentance and promises of forgiveness for those who turn back to Him. The account of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates God's readiness to welcome back those who repent and seek reconciliation.

In summary, the theme of rejection by God highlights the seriousness of responding to His call with faith and obedience. It serves as both a warning and an invitation to embrace the grace and mercy available through a relationship with Him.Proverbs 1:14-32
Cast in your lot among us; let us all have one purse:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 6:19,30
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

A Dialogue with God
... how tenderly the God who warns us against our sins by what men call threatenings
loves us while He speaks. II. Man's rejection of God's merciful threatenings. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a dialogue with god 2.htm

A Loving Call to Reunion
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES A LOVING CALL TO REUNION. ... wondrous tokens that He was
their God, and they ... The possible rejection of the invitation, on the ground ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a loving call to reunion.htm

The Third Day in Pasion-Week - the Last Series of Parables: to the ...
... of the present with that of old in their resistance and rejection of God's ... Thus,
side by side, yet wide apart, are these two - God's call and God's choice. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the third day.htm

Dangerous Effects to Religion and Morality of the Doctrine of So ...
... man, do you say that he whom you call Lord ought ... with the character of your most
good and excellent god! ... of obtaining, were it not for his rejection"that is ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxvii dangerous effects to religion.htm

The Inconsistency of Image Worship. Arguments in Palliation. -1 ...
... once fallen, thenceforward as though abandoned in their rejection of God ... to which
they may learn to apprehend God, from the ... for far be it from us to call it a ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 19 the inconsistency of.htm

Election Confirmed by the Calling of God. The Reprobate Bring Upon ...
... and cruelly over the Jews, in consequence of whose rejection they had ... are two species
of calling: for there is an universal call, by which God, through the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 24 election confirmed by.htm

General Introduction
... of the five ways concludes with the observation "and this we call God." But the ... the
guilt of it, and mortal sin entails final rejection by God in accordance ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/general introduction.htm

The Canons of Dordt
... But that others who are called by the gospel obey the call and are ... Article 17 As
the almighty operation of God whereby He brings forth and ... Rejection of Errors. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the canons of dordt/

On the Vocation of Men to Salvation
... of itself intended by God, is the rejection of the ... succeeded by another, the just
judgment of God, avenging the contempt shewn to his word and call, and the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 16 on the vocation.htm

An Unheeded Warning
... present day had made progress both in the matter of indifference and rejection;
and therefore ... a mother in heaven, of a child in the skies, is a call of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/an unheeded warning.htm

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Call: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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