Christ Covenant Church

Future blessings are not determined by long periods of peace and prosperity in the past – or a stockpile of potential leaders in the present, but whether we will continue to be obedient to God (10:1-7, 12:7-13:1). Not being severe in our treatment of those who blaspheme God will mean severe treatment from God (i.e. God takes separation from blasphemers seriously) (10:6-7 w/ Eze 20:27-28; blasphemer = Someone who curses God; e.g. apostate people, false Christians, false gods; Hence 2Jo 1:9-11; Lev 24:16). God uses time as a means of punishment (10:6-8 w/3:8, 14, 4:3, 6:1, 9:22; Jer 25:11; Eze 29:13; 1Co 5:5 [1Ti 1:19-20] w/2Co 2:6-8). God uses the oppression of others as a means of punishment (10:7-8). God refuses to keep delivering people from their problems when they refuse to learn from their past (10:9-13). God is affected by the suffering of His people (10:16 – “He became impatient” = Literally, His soul was shortened/vexed to death/suffering in their suffering; Jug 16:16). God responds (mercifully) to ow