ROMANS 11
7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it,
but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written,
“God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see
and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.”
9 And David says,
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them;
10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,
and bend their backs forever.” – Romans 11:7-10
ROMANS 11 A SPIRIT OF STUPOR
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
If you fail to serve and obey the call of the Lord your God
You will suffer the consequence of your hardened heart
A spirit of stupor will consume your heart and mind
You would not be able to see or hear what is true and right.
Have you observed those people who have turned their backs on the Lord? They knew the Lord and once served him, but at some point, they became rebellious and unfaithful to God. There is a form of blindness and deafness towards what is right. They choose what is bad for them or they follow their desires so much that they become oblivious to people around them. They are only concerned with getting their needs and wants met. There is no concern for the welfare of others. They only pursue their own interests and not bother about what other people’s hardships or sufferings are. In other words, they live isolated lives that focus on self-seeking pleasures. Most of these people turn into something that will constantly gratify their flesh or someone they can idolize. Most of the things they replace God with are: wealth, power, reputation, even family or the pursuit of human knowledge are just some of those things that occupy their minds and hearts. This is what Paul calls the spirit of stupor or idleness. When God made us in his image, he did it so we can have a relationship with him and that he is the only who can complete us. If we turn our backs on God, we will not have peace because we will definitely twist that purpose.
REFLECTION
- Share some experiences you had with those who have a spirit of stupor.
