We have another illustrious son of ancient Israel with us today, in continuation of our interview series. He was the seventh Judge of that nation. He succeeded Jephthah, the Gileadite.
Shepherd Heart: Thank you for honouring our invitation Sir.
Ibzan: The pleasure is mine.
Shepherd Heart: Kindly give our readers a brief introduction of your person.
Ibzan: I was born in Bethlehem, of the tribe of Judah. I judged Israel for seven years from my home there.
Shepherd Heart: Great! Why did the elders of Israel appoint you a judge? What special qualities did you possess that endeared you to them?
Ibzan: I am sure you are familiar with the story of Israel in the time of the judges. Verse twenty-five of Judges Chapter 21 says, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” There was nothing special about being a judge. In fact, most people did not want to assume the responsibility of administering the unruly bunch of people that occupied ancient Israel at this time. I accepted the appointment more out of a sense of duty than in pursuing any personal agenda.
Shepherd Heart: Your people must have seen something in you that gave them the confidence to choose you as their judge. What was the major attraction?
Ibzan: Hmmm. I guess that they were impressed with the fact that I raised my children to fear the Lord. In addition, many people considered me a disciplinarian.
Shepherd Heart: How were you able to enforce discipline among your people given the state the nation was in then, as attested to by the Scripture you quoted?
Ibzan: When Jephthah died, there were moves by our hostile neighbours to resume their attacks on us. When people are faced with an existential threat, you do not need to exert too much pressure to keep them in line. My people knew that they needed a disciplined fighting force to stay alive. Therefore, I became their rallying point.
Shepherd Heart: It is tempting to compare developments in the 21st Century church to what happened in Israel under the judges. Right now, many voices and doctrines in the church do not sound like the Holy Spirit. Occult practices have become pervasive in most denominations, while some have even rejected Jesus’ claims that He is the only way to the Father. From your vantage position as one of the cloud of witnesses in heaven, what are your concerns about the church?
Ibzan: That is a tough question. Let me be frank with you. Inhabitants of God’s heaven are not worried about the situation in the church. This is not out of lack of concern though. We live in the word of God and are conversant with all prophecies from Genesis to Revelation. Romans 8:29 explains that God already knows those that would be saved.
Always remember that He does not live in time. He transcends it. Acts 15:18 says, “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.” Nothing takes Him by surprise. In Luke 12:32 the Lord Jesus Christ said, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” He also said in Mathew 7:14, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” God knew that only few people would choose His will above theirs. Bluntly, heaven is only preparing to receive the few who choose life over death.
Shepherd Heart: These facts are distressing, even though I know that they align with Scriptures. Where have we gone wrong in proclaiming the Gospel? Why is it that only few would be saved?
Ibzan: God desires that all should come to repentance. A kind-hearted teacher would be happy if all his pupils pass his examination. That is only a wish. He cannot influence the outcome of the examination by granting them underserved scores. The same thing applies to the Father. He created humans with the ability to make choices. Everyone living is participating in the exams of his life. The Father cannot influence the outcome by granting life to someone who consciously chooses death. He has done everything within His power to save all humans.
The popular John 3:16 attests to that: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” In fact, 2 Peter 1:1 amplifies this: “His divine power hath given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” There is nothing left for God to do to save humans. He has given them everything – His Son and His Spirit. Anyone who rejects God has chosen to spend eternity with satan in the lake of fire. Period.
Shepherd Heart: Regardless of the immutability of these facts, what can believers do to save more souls?
Ibzan: Preach the gospel in season and out of season. Share your testimonies because they have more effect on some people than mere doctrinal gymnastics. People want to know the truth. The want to know if God is real. Testimonies are great tools for pulling down demonic strongholds and setting the captives free. That is why Revelation 12:11 declares, “And they overcame him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they do not love their lives unto the death.” Most importantly, model Christ with your lives.
Shepherd Heart: Thank you very much Sir for your kind but very challenging exhortation. We pray that our readers would take it to heart and flee to the Ark of God, the Lord Jesus Christ before the Father draws the line on salvation.
Ibzan: Thanks for having me. Be rest assured that the heavenly hosts are praying for the rescue of all of God’s children before the curtain falls on humanity.