RJBRM Bible Study: Have “We the People” Turned Our Backs on God?
- RJ Boatman Ministries
- Oct 5, 2024
- 9 min read
Introduction:Throughout the Bible, we are reminded of the blessings that follow when nations honor God, and the consequences that arise when they turn away from Him. In this study, we will explore key Scripture passages that describe these consequences, reflect on modern parallels, and contemplate how God’s truth speaks to us today. Whether you are a Christian believer or someone seeking to explore these concepts, this study is grounded in truth, filled with hope and love, and urges all of us all to seek righteousness and a return to God’s ways.
Encouragement for Daily Bible Reading:God’s Word is a light to our path (Psalm 119:105), and consistent engagement with the Bible has been shown to deepen faith and strengthen our walk with God. Throughout this study, you are encouraged to commit to reading the Bible at least four days a week, a practice proven to help you stand firm in faith, and to resist worldly temptations.
1. Deuteronomy 28:15-68 – Curses for Disobedience
Key Theme:
Disobedience to God’s commandments brings about curses and destruction.
Contemplation:
Reflect on the contrast between the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. Why is the language of the passage so severe?
What does this passage teach about God’s holiness and His expectations for His people?
Modern Parallel:
In today’s America, societal issues such as economic instability, social unrest, and natural disasters may be seen as consequences of drifting from biblical principles. When a nation strays from God’s path, there are tangible consequences. However, it is important to approach these interpretations with humility, remembering that we don’t always understand God’s specific purposes in allowing certain events (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Questions:
Why do you think God ties the prosperity of a nation so closely to its obedience?
Can we see any of the societal “curses” described in this passage reflected in today’s world?
Call to Action:
Reflect on areas of your personal life and national life where obedience to God may be lacking. How can you realign your actions and pray for national repentance?
Encouragement:
Read Deuteronomy 28 this week and ask God to reveal any areas where you may have turned away from His commands.
2. 2 Chronicles 7:19-22 – Judgment on a Nation that Forsakes God
Key Theme:
God promises judgment upon nations that forsake Him and worship other gods.
Contemplation:
Solomon was warned that even the beautiful temple, God’s dwelling place, could become desolate if the nation abandoned Him. How does this apply to the “temples” we create in our lives or society today?
Modern Parallel:
The rise of secularism in the United States has led to God being removed from many public institutions. This could be seen as forsaking God, much like Israel in ancient times. However, even in this environment, God’s people are called to be a light (Matthew 5:14-16). The absence of God in public life can have moral and societal consequences.
Questions:
What are some modern idols that the U.S. might be worshiping (e.g., materialism, power, self-reliance)?
How does the absence of God in public life impact the nation?
Call to Action:
Identify potential “idols” in your life or community. Take practical steps to remove them and refocus on worshiping the “One True God.”
Encouragement:
This week, reflect on your own personal “temples” (your heart, home, work). Are there idols present that need to be removed?
3. Jeremiah 18:7-10 – God’s Response to National Sin
Key Theme:
God’s judgment on a nation can be reversed through repentance.
Contemplation:
The heart of God’s message is mercy, not punishment. What does this passage teach about God’s justice and His willingness to relent when we repent?
Modern Parallel:
Despite the ways the U.S. may have turned from God, there is always hope. The Bible teaches that a nation can experience revival and healing if it repents and turns back to God. God’s mercy is always available to those who seek it with a humble heart (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Questions:
How does the promise of forgiveness and restoration bring hope to a nation on the brink of judgment?
How can we encourage national or communal repentance in practical ways?
Call to Action:
Pray for national leaders and communities, asking God to bring repentance and revival. Seek ways to promote godly values in your spheres of influence.
Encouragement:
Read Jeremiah 18 this week and reflect on the promise of restoration through repentance. How can you bring this message of hope to others?
4. Isaiah 1:4-7 – Judgment for Rebellion
Key Theme:
When a nation turns from God, it becomes desolate.
Contemplation:
Judah’s rebellion led to both spiritual and physical devastation. How does the state of a nation’s heart toward God manifest in its outward condition?
Modern Parallel:
The moral and spiritual decline in the U.S. can be seen in issues such as the breakdown of the family unit, rising crime rates, and increasing political and racial division. These societal problems often reflect the consequences of turning away from God, just as Judah’s desolation did.
Questions:
How do you see parallels between Isaiah’s description of Judah and the state of nations today that have turned from God?
What are signs that a nation or community is experiencing the consequences of turning away from God?
Call to Action:
Reflect on the condition of your heart and community. Take steps to address areas of rebellion in prayer and action.
Encouragement:
This week, read Isaiah 1 and reflect on the importance of aligning your heart with God’s will.
5. Hosea 4:6-7 – Destruction for Lack of Knowledge
Key Theme:
Ignorance of God’s ways leads to destruction.
Contemplation:
Hosea emphasizes that God’s people are destroyed because they lack knowledge. How important is it for nations to embrace God’s truth?
Modern Parallel:
In the U.S., biblical illiteracy is rising, and society is increasingly rejecting God’s moral law. The rejection of God’s Word leads to confusion and moral decay, which can cause deep societal fractures. Studies show that Christians who regularly engage with the Bible are less likely to fall into sinful behaviors and are more spiritually mature.
Questions:
What does it mean to “reject knowledge”? How does this look in the modern world (e.g., rejecting God’s moral law, ignoring Scripture)?
In what ways does the rejection of God’s Word lead to personal and national consequences?
Call to Action:
Commit to studying the Bible more deeply. Share your knowledge of God’s Word with others, especially those in positions of influence. Remember, consistent engagement with Scripture can be transformative.
Encouragement:
Read Hosea 4 this week and reflect on how biblical knowledge (or the lack thereof) affects you personally, your family, and your community.
6. Psalm 9:17 – The Fate of Wicked Nations
Key Theme:
Nations that forget God face judgment and destruction.
Contemplation:
The psalmist reminds us that nations that forget God will be “turned into hell.” What does this teach us about the importance of remembering and honoring God in all aspects of society?
Modern Parallel:
The U.S. is increasingly becoming hostile toward Christian beliefs. Cultural and legal pressures push Christians (and even churches) to conform to secular values, which could be seen as turning away from God. While this may feel like a national trend, it is essential for individual Christians to stand firm in their faith and continue to be a light in the world (Matthew 5:14-16).
Questions:
What are some specific ways a nation can “forget” God? How does this impact that nation’s future?
What role does the church have in calling the nation back to God?
Call to Action:
As Christians, we are called to be the light in a dark world. Engage in your community through acts of kindness, sharing the Gospel, and being vocal about God’s presence in society. It is through active involvement that Christians can call the nation back to God.
Encouragement:
Read Psalm 9 and reflect on the importance of maintaining a national consciousness of God. What steps can you take this week to be a better witness of God’s presence?
7. Proverbs 14:34 – Righteousness vs. Sin in a Nation
Key Theme:
Righteousness lifts a nation, but sin brings disgrace.
Contemplation:
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach. How does the morality of individuals contribute to the larger spiritual state of a nation?
Modern Parallel:
Issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and the normalization of immorality reflect how the U.S. has turned its back on God’s moral law. However, Christians are called to uphold God’s truth without compromising love. True love, as God defines it, includes standing firm on biblical principles while showing compassion (Ephesians 4:15). This means standing for God’s design in marriage, family, and life without hatred or prejudice towards others.
Questions:
How can we show love and compassion without compromising on God’s truth, especially regarding sensitive issues like same-sex marriage?
What practical steps can we take to live righteous lives while upholding God’s moral standards?
Call to Action:
Focus on your personal walk with God, knowing that your righteousness has a ripple effect. Show love to others without violating God’s unchanging moral law. Be involved in advocacy for godly principles in love, kindness, and truth.
Encouragement:
Read Proverbs 14 this week and examine your own life. How can you ensure that your actions reflect both righteousness and compassion toward others?
8. Sanctity of Life – God’s View on the Value of Life
Key Theme:
Life is sacred because all humans are made in the image of God.
Contemplation:
The Bible teaches that all life is sacred, from conception to natural death. Taking innocent life, especially for convenience, is a violation of God’s law. However, the Bible also values the saving of life, which raises complex ethical issues when medical procedures may be necessary to save a mother’s life. The Bible calls for compassion and care in such cases, but never supports shedding life out of convenience (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13-16).
Modern Parallel:
In the U.S., abortion remains one of the most contentious issues. While life-saving medical procedures are sometimes necessary, it is vital to affirm that no life should ever be taken out of convenience. The sanctity of life extends to all stages, and Christians are called to defend this value in love and truth.
Questions:
How should Christians approach complex medical situations while affirming the sanctity of both the mother’s and child’s lives?
How can we advocate for life in a way that upholds both compassion and truth?
Call to Action:
Advocate for life at all stages, support ministries that offer alternatives to abortion, and educate others on the sanctity of life. Pray for wisdom in dealing with complex medical and ethical decisions and being utterly supportive of situations where a mother’s life may be in danger.
Encouragement:
Read Psalm 139 this week and reflect on how you can support and promote the sanctity of life in your community.
Conclusion:
This Bible study has explored the consequences of a nation turning away from God and how we, as believers, are called to respond. Throughout Scripture, we see that God desires for His people to remain faithful to His commandments, live righteous lives, and honor His design for humanity. When nations abandon these principles, the consequences are not only spiritual but manifest in societal breakdowns, moral decay, and divine judgment.
However, even in the midst of these warnings, God’s Word offers hope. Through repentance and a return to God’s ways, restoration and healing are always possible. The Bible reminds us that God’s desire is not to condemn but to restore. His mercy is available to all who seek Him, both individuals and nations (2 Chronicles 7:14, Romans 5:8).
Let this study encourage both believers and non-believers alike to seek the truth, to walk in love, and to faithfully pursue righteousness. May we each take personal responsibility in our own lives to align with God’s Word, and may we collectively pray for our nation to return to the principles of justice, compassion, and holiness that exalt a people. Ultimately, we must place our hope in God’s promise that, even in the darkest times, His light shines through, and His grace is always available for those who seek Him.
Final Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging that as individuals and as a nation, we have at times strayed from Your ways. We ask for Your forgiveness and Your mercy. Help us to return to You with humble hearts, seeking righteousness and truth. Empower us, Lord, to be lights in this world, reflecting Your love and Your truth in all that we do. May Your Word transform our hearts and our nation, and may we see a revival of faith, justice, and compassion in our communities. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Final Encouragement:
As we conclude this study, be encouraged to make time daily for Scripture. God’s Word is a source of life, wisdom, and guidance. This week, take intentional steps to engage with the Bible each day, allowing its truths to transform your heart and actions. Share what you learn with others and let God’s love and hope shine through you.
Contact RJBoatman Revival Ministries to Speak at your Church or Event: RJ@RJBoatman.org
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