INTRODUCTION

The days preceding the flood were evil in many ways, but they were specifically identified as days filled with violence. In fact, the LORD specifically told Noah, "The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth." In Ezekiel’s day, the scriptures declare, "the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence" (Ezekiel 7:23Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.
See All...). Much can be learned about the nature of any time, past or present, by the excessive presence of violence. Though the Lord has promised not to destroy the earth again with a flood, it should be noted that violence moves the Lord to a strong desire to bring judgment.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Violence is an act of physical force with intent to injure. Cain was violent when he killed Able (Genesis 4:8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
  See All...). Herod showed that he was violent when he ordered his men to slay children (Matthew 2:16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  See All...). The Ninevites were violent people, but repented in hopes God would not destroy them (Jonah 3:4-10 [4] And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. [5] So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. [6] For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. [7] And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: [8] But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. [9] Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? [10] And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
  See All...).
• What is the present level of violence in the earth? Would it be safe to say that the earth is filled with violence? How would this truth move the Lord to judgment?
• Many acts of violence are illegal, while some are legal forms of entertainment. What are some violent forms of entertainment? How does this show the wickedness of our generation?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to show you His view of violence.
• Ask God to help you avoid the world’s love for violence.

HYMN

Wholly Thine (Hawks)

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