We take up again our study from yesterday when we started to look at the ‘tribulation’ that will become upon Israel just before the return of Christ.
Let us consider some of the characteristics of the tribulation poor Israel will face.
I. THE PAIN COMES FROM BEING HATED OF ALL
This was part of the judgment inflicted upon them for their rejection of the Saviour, something they had frequently had done in their history.
“But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword (a cutting, mocking jibe) among all people: and at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house? And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil,” 1 Kings 9:6-9.
II. THE PAIN COMES ALSO FROM A CONSCIOUSNESS THAT THE LORD IS ‘AFAR OFF’ AND ‘HIDDEN’ FROM THEM.
That is a most painful realisation! Look at what is said in verse 1 of the Psalm.