Consequences

Consequences. It’s a word used in parental discipline and every kid knows that it’s not usually associated with a reward. There was a game show on television in the 1950’s and 60’s called Truth or Consequences, where contestants had to answer an obscure or very difficult trivia question in just a few seconds. If they couldn’t (and most didn’t) there was an embarrassing stunt awaiting them for their failure. Over the course of the show, contestants would often answer the question incorrectly on purpose to go directly to the “consequence”. That’s good television.

But despite the fact that a rather popular and long-running radio and TV show displayed the more humorous side of things, real life paints a different picture. Consequences are the natural relation between cause and effect. A logical conclusion. And usually with a negative connotation.

In the spiritual sphere, the reward for obedience is being nearer to God. No barriers. No guilt. No personal agenda. And the consequence for disobedience – even if we’re not punished, per se – is distance from God, whether or not there is an actual punishment or consequence directly related to the disobedient act. For example, if despite God’s command to the contrary, I hoard my money and give nothing to my church or the poor, I may not go broke. God may allow me to keep my money and my house and always put food on the table. He may. But even in that scenario, there will most likely be a limit to the depth of relationship and communication that I experience with Him, if I even try to pursue that relationship at all. God may let me keep and pursue exactly what my heart desires, whatever that may be: money, reputation, being thin, the perfect house, a business. But if it’s not what His heart desires, meeting our goals will not fulfill us in the way we hoped. There’s a song from the Broadway musical Wicked that underscores this concept. It’s called “Thank Goodness”. See if this resonates with you at all.

That's why I couldn't be happier

No, I couldn't be happier

Though it is, I admit

The tiniest bit

Unlike I anticipated

But I couldn't be happier

Simply couldn't be happier

(spoken) Well - not "simply":

(sung) 'Cause getting your dreams

It's strange, but it seems

A little - well - complicated

There's a kind of a sort of : cost

There's a couple of things get: lost

There are bridges you cross

You didn't know you crossed

Until you've crossed

And if that joy, that thrill

Doesn't thrill you like you think it will

Still -

With this perfect finale

The cheers and ballyhoo

Who wouldn't be happier?

So I couldn't be happier

Because happy is what happens

When all your dreams come true

Well, isn't it?

Happy is what happens

When your dreams come true!

There’s a biblical example of this concept in the book of Ezekiel, minus the cheers and the ballyhoo. The prophet is taken up to a hill overlooking Jerusalem, in a vision, 14 years after the city and the temple have been destroyed by the Babylonians. In that vision, the temple is restored and Ezekiel is shown detailed plans of what the new temple will look like. He’s also given instructions for the Israelites in captivity, including the priests, for how they are to return to God when the time is right. There seem to be two distinct groups of priests addressed – those who chased after idols and led the people astray, and those who faithfully carried out the duties of the sanctuary. Here’s what Ezekiel is told will be in store for each:

¹⁰ " 'The Levites who went far from me when Israel went astray and who wandered from me after their idols must bear the consequences of their sin. ¹¹ They may serve in my sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and serving in it; they may slaughter the burnt offerings and sacrifices for the people and stand before the people and serve them. ¹² But because they served them in the presence of their idols and made the house of Israel fall into sin, therefore I have sworn with uplifted hand that they must bear the consequences of their sin, declares the Sovereign LORD. ¹³ They are not to come near to serve me as priests or come near any of my holy things or my most holy offerings; they must bear the shame of their detestable practices. ¹⁴ Yet I will put them in charge of the duties of the temple and all the work that is to be done in it.

¹⁵ " 'But the priests, who are Levites and descendants of Zadok and who faithfully carried out the duties of my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat and blood, declares the Sovereign LORD. ¹⁶ They alone are to enter my sanctuary; they alone are to come near my table to minister before me and perform my service.’ ” (Ezekiel 44:10-16)

The consequences to that first group of priests is devastating, yet demonstrates God’s mercy and ultimate desire to restore His people and have them near Him. They are forbidden to come into God’s holy presence in the holiest part of the sanctuary, but they are allowed to tend the gates – the outer limits of God’s court – and to serve the people by slaughtering their sacrifices – the dirty work of cleaning up the mess of sin. They are allowed to come near. Sort of. But only on the periphery, not the inner sanctum, where they can see and experience God’s glory. Their disobedience and longing for something other than the God who called them has brought them separation from Him. They have achieved their hearts’ desires, but it wasn’t God. So sad.

And the priests who were faithful to carry out the duties of the sanctuary are to come near to minister, stand before God, and perform His service. They are called to come near to God. Really near. Their faithfulness in pursuing God and remaining faithful to their calling and His priorities have gained them unlimited access to their Portion. They get to deal with the blood and the fat of the sacrifices – the life and the abundance. Their reward is to be near to the One who called them.

Neither group of priests got any land or monetary reward for being a Levite. Whether they were faithful or not, Levites got no land. God was meant to be their reward. That’s why it’s so sad that some of them chased after other things – they got neither. But the Levites whose hearts chased after God and His values got Him. And that’s all they needed.

Which camp do you fall into? Are there choices in your life that are keeping you from fully pursuing God and His desires for your life? Or are you completely committed to following God and giving attention to everything He tells you? (Ezekiel 44:5) If being near to God is all that you’re promised for pursuing Him, is it enough?

The Bible is full of examples of people who were 100% obedient to God’s calling and not only didn’t receive creature comforts as reward, they often received beatings, poverty, death of loved ones and social rejection. So what was their reward? Look at what Ezekiel got to experience:

“I looked and saw the glory of the LORD filling the temple of the LORD, and I fell facedown.” (Ezekiel 44:4)

The more our hearts race when reading and contemplating passages like this, the more we’re on the right track to experiencing the connection we were created for. He is enough! And nothing compares to knowing Him and hearing His voice. Nothing.

Sovereign Lord, be my everything. Align my heart and my priorities with yours. Reveal and remove the idols that cause me to experience the consequence of distance from you. Amen.

• Read Psalm 119:57-64. Take some time to pray through it and ask God to reveal anything in your life that stands in the way of these verses being true for you.

• What practical steps do you have in place to gauge your goals in light of God’s calling in your life? If you lack these, what needs to change?