One of the major experiences that characterised the relationship between the people of ancient Israel and God is the latter’s constant judgement of the people whenever they acted in disobedience of His commandment.
Upon their deliverance from Egyptian bondage after 430 years, the Israelites were not left in doubt that the God they had to do with required their absolute loyalty and obedience.
In the Book of Leviticus 26, God spelt out the reward that awaited the Israelites if they kept His commandment, and also the punishment that could result from their disobedience. Unfortunately, over and again, the people acted contrary to God’s command, attracting the punishment as specified.
“And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when you are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of your enemy” (v. 25).
The experience of the children of Israel teaches us that whenever a siege is laid to the gate of God’s children, it is an indication of His displeasure at the people’s sinful ways. The judgement is, therefore, aimed at forcing repentance and return to the true worship of God.
By now, anyone conversant with the experience of the Israelites would testify that the Church in Nigeria is currently under siege. The physical attacks and killings of mostly Christians in parts of North Central Nigerian states of Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Nasarawa and southern Kaduna, are partly manifestations of God’s anger and judgement on the Church.
Whether the killings and violence are perpetrated by armed Fulani herdsmen, as many believe, or other criminal gangs, it all points to one thing – the judgement of God is upon the land. “And if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments…I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and burning ague, that shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it (v. 14, 16).
The Church has opened its gate to vandals. They are not the armed herdsmen, kidnappers, cattle rustlers or other criminal gangs; these are only agents and instruments of judgement, for “…whoso breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him” (Ecclesiastes 10:8b).
It’s a time for deep introspection and repentance by the Church. There is an urgent call for a return to the ancient paths, away from sin, human traditions and all kinds of shameful practices by both the leaders and the led, which have only attracted disdain to the Church.
It is not arguable that many church leaders do not understand the ultimate redemptive purposes of God for themselves as believers, let alone being able to teach others the same. The result is that many church leaders have resorted to different man-made schemes to keep the ignorant members eternally loyal to them, and not to the Lord.
Although God always has a remnant of true believers prepared to follow Him every step of the way, if much of the present-day Nigerian Church does not return to God in righteousness and true holiness, sticking to the original divine pattern and mandate as received from the true fathers of the Christian faith, more vandals may still be expected at the City gate. This in turn, unfortunately, would leave the Church open to more ferocious attacks from agents of divine judgement.
No force on this earth has the power to defeat a Church that is properly aligned with God’s divine plan.