ONE OF THE MOST MOVING SERMONS in the history of the American evangelical church was Jonathan Edwards’ *“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” This ‘hell-fire and brimstone’ sermon became a powerful catalyst amidst the First Great Awakening (1730-1755), when a wave of fervent repentance swept across the colonies of the eastern seaboard.
Today’s America is far-removed from the wave of intense remorse that swept the country during Edwards’ time. The country has been re-visited by such a movement several times since, notably the 1790-1840 Second Great Awakening, and the Jesus Movement of late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Given the confusion of values and concomitant disunity so prevalent and observable in America’s—and virtually all other first-world countries—current socio-political systems, it seems we are far overdue for such a movement of fierce personal and corporate piety once again.
The driving force of the Judeo-Christian bible has undeniably been foundational to the moral, civil, and legal codes that underlie first-world legal and political systems. It is from the bible that ‘Lex Rex,’ the Rule of Law, has tempered governance across significantly more than two millennium. Paul addresses the role of government, and more importantly, the one true governor: “There is no authority except that which God has established. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.” (Rom. 13:1, 3b-4) When governments fail, it is because the governors have failed the people they serve, but more importantly, the God they should serve. This always happens from the bottom up, as government becomes infiltrated by an entitlement culture. The result is that a spirit of lawlessness and rebellion destroys every fabric of the culture. Israel’s history is replete with such issues, and enlightening for us today.
The O.T. is very instructive in these matters; we turn to Moses and the desert-dwelling Hebrews some 3500 years ago for examples. There are warnings that come from God: “Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the Lord and the fire died down.” (Num. 11:1-2)
But if the circumstances of lawlessness progress too far, our sovereign God will discipline harshly. During the time of Korah’s rebellion, a confrontation between he and his followers and Moses became unavoidable. There was even a rebellion by some of the priests. Moses declares the word of God: “If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. But if the Lord brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead, then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt.” (Num. 16:29-30) As the confrontation ensues, Korah and his family and his associates are swallowed by the earth (c.f. Num. 16:31-34), “And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.” (Num. 16:35)
The O.T. tells us that, “The Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (Deut. 4:24) Similarly, the N.T. says succinctly, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb. 10:31) And it is the Lord Jesus himself who warns about the fate of those consigned to hell: “where ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’” (Mark 9:48)
It is of Jesus also that Matthew says, and this is both a promise and a warning, ‘He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matt. 3:11-12) It is here that the person called to relationship with God must make a choice, and the choice brings assurance and comfort to some, while it is a harbinger of the fiery torment of hell to others.
The message of hellfire and brimstone has been diminished in the modern public sphere. The secular voices are mixed with the cacophony of voices of those who follow after false gods. The din of their combined dissonant clamor has displaced the ages-long voice of God. If you are confused and overcome by the discordant dialogue of the debauched (c.f. Rom. 1:18-32), then cry out in repentance for the wisdom of the ‘ipsissima vox’ of God – his ‘very word.’ “Listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life.” (Deut. 30-20) Practice the spiritual discipline to “Be still and know that he is God.” (Psa. 46:10) Trust God to direct your life path through the confusing (and tempting) mess of life’s circumstances: “God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” (Psa. 48:14)
Above all, at this very moment, consider Isaiah’s Messianic prophetic counsel: “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them.” (Isa. 55:6)
Q. Is God’s voice calling me to brokenness and repentance?
Edwards, Jonathan, ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,’ July 8, 1741.
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