The word “reject” means (1) to refuse to acknowledge or submit to, (2) to refuse to take or accept, (3) to refuse to consider, (4) to throw out as useless or unsatisfactory. It is unpleasant to think of being rejected. Consider some, in the Bible, who were rejected.
Joseph was rejected by his brothers. Recall how his brothers rejected him because of Jacob’s favoritism toward Joseph and because of the dreams he had and their interpretation. Stephen spoke of it in Acts 7:9-10: “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.”
Moses was also rejected by his brethren. Again, listen to Stephen: “This Moses, whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush” (Acts 7:35). Even God was rejected. We are informed that when Samuel was old, his sons, who were appointed to judge Israel, did not walk in his ways. And, as a result of this, the people requested of Samuel, “Make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (I Sam. 8:5b). This displeased Samuel greatly, but the Lord informed Samuel that actually it was the Lord that had been rejected. “And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (I Sam. 8:8). Samuel reminded them of this fact later at Mizpeh when he said, “And ye have this day rejected your God, who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations” (I Sam. 10:19). Later, in the New Testament, Peter reminded the Jews that they had rejected Jesus. Of Him, Peter said, “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner” (Acts 4:11). Jesus used the word “rejected” in speaking of this same thing in Matthew 21:42. Many years earlier, Isaiah had prophesied of this same action of rejection of Jesus. “He is despised and rejected of men.” Isn’t it strange that this one who was “despised and rejected” became the “propitiation for our sins” (Rom. 3:23-25)?
As we look at these rejections, we realize just how foolish men behaved in each incident. Each of those rejected became great leaders, deliverers, and even Saviour for those who did the rejecting. But, are we any different today? Have we learned anything from these terrible mistakes in judgment? I think not.
Many today reject that which doesn’t suit them or their way of thinking. Many reject God’s word. Both Paul and Peter tell us that the word truly is THE word of God, given by God through His Holy Spirit, who guided men to write down God’s message. See II Timothy 3:16-17 and II Peter 1:20-21. Jesus informs us that Thy (God) word is truth and the truth shall make you free (John 17:17; John 8:32). Yet, men blatantly “wrest the Scripture to their own destruction” (II Pet. 3:16). We hear men stating that what God’s word plainly states is not what He meant to say. They spend hour upon hour trying to explain away God’s word, when it would be much easier just to believe it, accept it, and obey it! God’s word is rejected when it is “perverted” (Gal. 1:6-9); it is rejected when man adds to it or subtracts from it (Rev. 22:18-19). Far too many are like Saul, who did part of what God had told him to do, but rejected parts of His commands, and yet, he said, “I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” Strange indeed! Is there any difference in that and the denominational preacher or the denominational member who reads, “He that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved” and then he says, “I have believed and been saved without baptism?” (Mark 16:16). Is there any difference in the ridiculous statement made by Saul and the lukewarm Christian saying “I am a faithful Christian” when his life does not show it? See I John 2:5-6.
What about you? Have you rejected Jesus? Have you rejected His plan of salvation? Have you rejected His church (Matt. 16:18)? Have you rejected His word? If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, listen carefully to Jesus, and repent before it is too late. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).
–Paul M. Wilmoth, January 18, 1944 – April 5, 2021
