II Kings 19:28 – “because you have raged against me and your complacency has come to my ears, I will put a hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came”.
So here is my interpretation – “so you think you are a big man hey? Well, you don’t look so clever to me right now bro’. You are about to be sent packing, embarrassed in front of everyone, and your cockiness is about to evaporate mate!”
The Hebrew word for complacency is pronounced “sa’anan” and it carries the meaning of insolence and pride at ease.
We don’t hear this scripture preached much in churches these days – and there is no doubt that there are complexities around our theology and understanding of God when we hear him speak out like this.
Sennacherib was looking to put his hands on God’s people, and God’s people in Jerusalem had destroyed every idol, and thrown open the gates of the temple to return to worship just a few years before these events unfolded.- God’s name was being misrepresented by the enemy, who felt like they could speak for and against Yahweh.
Complacency can creep into our lives so easily, we get focused on what we don’t have, and what others do have, whether it is tangible or intangible. We can grumble against God even, and against his people, our heavenly family. God’s name is on His people, when we speak out against one of God’s children we speak out against God. Do we understand the weight of this principle?
I’m so grateful for Jesus, that he came and paid the price for all my sins, and that I do not have to live in fear of God’s wrath on me, either now or in eternity. With that gratitude in my heart, I want to choose to be super-careful about how I speak about His children, that He is working in, in His time, and in His way, not mine.
Let’s pray for each other and speak scripture and encouragement to the family of God.
Principle of Change 69 – reflect on all that God has done and allow gratitude to be our guide.
Strength – Positivity – the goal is always to progress not perfection – perfection is God’s work.