No one likes to be insulted. It often makes a person feel angry. Insult has caused many wars in this world.  In 2 Samuel 10:1–8, we read of a war that occurred between the nation of Israel and the Ammonites. Kind David sent some of his trusted men to comfort the King of Ammon after Nahash, his father and former king died, as he had been a friend to David. The new king of Ammon did not trust David’s good intentions. “Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.” 2 Samuel 10:4. And thus a war was started from this insult.  This has continued throughout history even to this day.

Jesus was the One who was the most insulted, and He never retaliated. It is written of the Jewish nation that many rejected Him as the Messiah who came to save them. They insulted Him. “His life had been one of persecution and insult. Driven from Bethlehem by a jealous king, rejected by His own people at Nazareth, condemned to death without a cause at Jerusalem, Jesus, with His few faithful followers, found a temporary asylum in a strange city. He who was ever touched by human woe, who healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and speech to the dumb, who fed the hungry and comforted the sorrowful, was driven from the people He had labored to save.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 541–542. “He who by a command could bring the heavenly host to His aid—He who could have driven that mob in terror from His sight by the flashing forth of His divine majesty—submitted with perfect calmness to the coarsest insult and outrage.” –Ibid, p. 734

The word “insult” means: to treat or speak to someone insolently or with contemptuous rudeness; affront. Or, to offend or demean; to attack; assault. It is synonymous with offend, scorn, injure or abuse. To insult implies such insolence of speech or manner so that it deeply humiliates or wounds another person’s feelings in an attempt to arouse them to anger.

This is what Jesus was subjected to by the people He came to save—His own people; the Jewish nation. The leaders in Israel, who should have been the most knowledgeable about the Scriptures, subjected Jesus to this kind of treatment. Although the word “insult” does not appear in the Bible, it is used many times in the Spirit of Prophecy in connection with the treatment Jesus received while on this earth.

While we can look at the history of the Jewish nation and deplore the insulting way they treated Him, we should look into our own hearts to see if we, perhaps, are insulting Him also. Oh no, we may say, there is no way we would dare to insult our beloved Jesus; our Lord and Saviour. But, if you look carefully into your life and actions, there may be times you have insulted Him unknowingly.

When we sin, it is not just a case of making Jesus sad, of crucifying Him afresh. There are instances in the Spirit of Prophecy where the word “Insult” is used in various circumstances. Insult is a very strong word. It implies contempt, rudeness, and scorn.  When we sin all heaven sees and notices. All the unfallen worlds are now watching with intense interest the climax of the Plan of Salvation. They are watching you. How you live and act, and how you treat Jesus. Nothing in your life is done in secret. It is open for all the universe to see. And it is all written down.  Sadly, some who claim to be His followers, insult Jesus.

Now, I will share some quotes from the Spirit of Prophecy which clearly state we insult Jesus by various actions and attitudes.  When you read the word “insult” think of the true meaning of the word: to offend, demean or attack.

First, some Biblical examples:

King David: “It was an insult to God when David numbered Israel. God’s rebuke rested upon him, for he made himself as God, as though he could tell the strength of the armies of Israel by their numbers. . . . God looks not on the numbers of Israel for the success of His work. His armies number thousands of thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. These cooperate with the people who will connect with God to be channels of light.” –Christ Triumphant, p. 152. Have we not heard other denominations ask us what our membership is? As though our strength and success depended on numbers? What is our response? Do we feel embarrassed and try to make the number seem as large as possible, sometimes even talking of the Reform Church in connection with the separated group (from 1951), to make the number seem larger? God is not dependent on numbers. “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

There are other areas we can fail on in numbering and a big one is finances. Many times when I went to take money out of the bank for offerings or donations, I have thought that, well, I should only take this small amount just in case the car breaks down, or some other expense arises. I need a certain amount in reserve.  I then hear a little voice telling me, “you have the money now, give it, I will take care of future expenses.”  And the Lord has never failed me.

King Saul: In 1 Samuel 15 King Saul was told to go and destroy the Amalekites, which included all the people as well as the animals. He and his men, however, kept the animals for sacrifices. “When, in direct violation of God’s command, Saul proposed to present a sacrifice of that which God had devoted to destruction, open contempt was shown for the divine authority. The service would have been an insult to Heaven.” –Conflict and Courage, p. 158. Although it may outwardly seem like a worthy cause to save the animals for worship purposes, it was, however, purely selfish. The people did not want to offer their own animals, but rather the ones they took from Amalek. This was a way to enrich themselves. It was ill-gotten gain.  Their service to God was not genuine. It was a form only.  “Yet with the sin of Saul and its result before us, how many are pursuing a similar course. While they refuse to believe and obey some requirement of the Lord, they persevere in offering up to God their formal services of religion. There is no response of the Spirit of God to such service. No matter how zealous men may be in their observance of religious ceremonies, the Lord cannot accept them if they persist in willful violation of one of His commands.” –Ibid, p. 158. A formal religion with no heart conversion is an insult to Jesus as is any offering received from ill-gotten gain.

Aaron’s sons: “Aaron’s sons took the common fire, which God did not accept, and they offered insult to the infinite God by presenting this strange fire before Him. God consumed them by fire for their positive disregard of His express directions.” –Confrontation, p. 81. What caused these men to insult the Lord? “The gratification of appetite debased their faculties and so beclouded their intellect that their power of discernment was gone.” –Ibid, p. 81. Although it was the use of alcohol that beclouded the minds of these men, there are other foods that are not healthful to the body, that will becloud the minds of people. On the cross Jesus refused the vinegar they offered Him to help numb the pain (and He was in a lot of pain), but “when He had tasted it, He refused it. He would receive nothing that could becloud His mind. His faith must keep fast hold upon God. This was His only strength. To becloud His senses would give Satan an advantage.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 746. Eating any food that would becloud the brain and senses is an insult to the Creator and gives the advantage to Satan.

“It is an insult to the God of heaven for man to abuse his precious powers by placing himself under the control of Satanic agencies, and besotting himself by indulging in that which is ruinous to health, to piety, and to spirituality.” –Conflict and Courage p. 35

Golden Calf: “Only a few days had passed since the Hebrews had made a solemn covenant with God to obey His voice. They had stood trembling with terror before the mount, listening to the words of the Lord, ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.’ The glory of God still hovered above Sinai in the sight of the congregation; but they turned away, and asked for other gods. . . . How could greater ingratitude have been shown, or more daring insult offered, to Him who had revealed Himself to them as a tender Father and an all-powerful King!” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 317. Although we may not be worshipping an actual golden statue, we may, having made a covenant to serve and obey God, still have idols that we cherish and worship. If there is some sin you are not willing to give up; something more important in your life than serving Jesus, you have insulted Him. Ask yourself, who do you speak of most? Do you spend the majority of your time and money on yourself or for Jesus? Oh, how some insult the Saviour by putting their own interests above the Lord’s interests.

MISSIONARY WORK

“For the conversion of one sinner the minister should tax his resources to the utmost. . . . And if Christ left the ninety and nine that He might seek and save one lost sheep, can we be justified in doing less? Is not a neglect to work as Christ worked, to sacrifice as He sacrificed, a

betrayal of sacred trusts, an insult to God?” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 370. This is serious. It is an insult to not tax all our energies and resources to save those that are lost; to live a life of self-serving only, oblivious to the needs of those around us.

“Every soul is to minister. He is to use every physical, moral, and mental power, through sanctification of the Spirit, that he may be a laborer together with God. All are bound to devote themselves actively and unreservedly to God’s service. They are to cooperate with Jesus Christ in the great work of helping others. Christ died for every man. He has ransomed every man by giving His life on the cross. This He did that man might no longer live an aimless, selfish life, but that he might live unto Jesus Christ, who died for his salvation. All are not called upon to enter the ministry, but nevertheless, they are to minister. It is an insult to the Holy Spirit of God for any man to choose a life of self-serving.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1159. This applies to all of us. No need for extra comments. Ask yourself if you are insulting God by your neglect of ministry.

RESPECT FOR LEADERS

From the example of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, we see how God dislikes rebellion against His chosen leaders. “It is hardly possible for men to offer greater insult to God than to despise and reject the instrumentalities He would use for their salvation.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 402

“If God has given me a message to bear to His people, those who would hinder me in the work and lessen the faith of the people in its truth are not fighting against the instrument, but against God. ‘It is not the instrument whom you slight and insult, but God, who has spoken to you in these warnings and reproofs.’” And again, “‘It is hardly possible for men to offer a greater insult to God than to despise and reject the instrumentalities that He has appointed to lead them.’” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 680

“In rejecting Christ the Jewish people committed the unpardonable sin; and by refusing the invitation of mercy, we may commit the same error. We offer insult to the Prince of life, and put Him to shame before the synagogue of Satan and before the heavenly universe when we refuse to listen to His delegated messengers, and instead listen to the agents of Satan, who would draw the soul away from Christ. So long as one does this, he can find no hope or pardon, and he will finally lose all desire to be reconciled to God.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 324. Sadly, I have seen over the years many who have left the faith who did not want to hear reproof from leaders. They felt offended and went to another church that was filled with “love” where the preacher preaches smooth things; pleasing to the ears.

OTHER SERIOUS INSULTS

During worship services: “God required them also to wash their clothes. He is no less particular now than He was then. He is a God of order, and requires His people now upon the earth to observe habits of strict cleanliness. And those who worship God with unclean garments and persons do not come before Him in an acceptable manner. He is not pleased with their lack of reverence for Him, and He will not accept the service of filthy worshipers, for they insult their Maker.”  –The Story of Redemption, p. 138. It does matter to the Lord, how you dress during worship services.

Sabbath Observance: “If men substitute a common day for the sacred, and say that will do just as well, they insult the Maker of the heavens and of the earth, who made the Sabbath to commemorate His resting upon the seventh day, after creating the world in six days.” –Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4, p. 14–15. While we may believe and accept the Sabbath truth, ask yourself if your conduct and conversation on the Sabbath hours are in keeping with the Sabbath commandment, or is your Sabbath observance of such a nature that you insult your Maker by making it as a common day by your words and actions.  Guard carefully your words, thoughts and actions. Watch yourself; listen to yourself.

Offerings: Some people who are well-to-do, live very comfortable lives. They give their tithes and offerings faithfully, and then spend lavishly on themselves during life. They then write a will stating that the church can have a small portion of their inheritance upon their death. “But many professed Christians put off the claims of Jesus in life and insult Him by giving Him a mere pittance at death. Let all of this class remember that this robbery of God is not an impulsive action, but a well-considered plan which they preface by saying: ‘Being in sound mind.’ After having defrauded the cause of God through life they perpetuate the fraud after death. . . . Can these dwell with pleasure upon the requirement that will be made of them to give an account of their stewardship?” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 481. “Some think that only a portion of their means is the Lord’s. When they have set apart a portion for religious and charitable purposes, they regard the remainder as their own, to be used as they see fit. But in this they mistake. All we possess is the Lord’s, and we are accountable to Him for the use we make of it. In the use of every penny, it will be seen whether we love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 351

Speech: “Is Christ using cutting words, stern criticism and unkind suspicion toward His people who commit faults? No. He takes every infirmity into account; He acts with discernment. He knows every one of our failings; but He uses patience; for otherwise we would have perished long ago on account of our bad treatment of Him. The greatest insult we can inflict upon Him, is to pretend to be His disciples while manifesting the spirit of Satan in our words, our dispositions and our actions. . . . To be master of one’s spirit is to be stronger than kings or conquerors. A Christian leads one to think of Christ. He will be affable, kind, patient, humble and yet courageous and firm in vindicating the truth and the name of Christ.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1160. Carefully guard your words. They are all written down and you will have to face them again one day.

WILL WE SUFFER INSULT FOR CHRIST?

Yes, we will. “God’s servants must arm themselves with the mind of Christ. They must not expect to escape insult and misjudgment. They will be called enthusiasts and fanatics. But let them not become discouraged. God’s hand is on the wheel of His providence, guiding His work to the glory of His name.” –Our Father Cares, p. 267

Sadly, some Christians do not react well when insulted. “The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 81. “It is the love of self that destroys our peace. While self is all alive, we stand ready continually to guard it from mortification and insult.” –Mind, Character and Personality, vol. 2, p. 607–608

Yet how did Jesus react? “When on this earth Jesus patiently bore insult. His stainless life was a rebuke, and many avoided His presence; but there were some who sought to be with Him because they felt at peace where He was. He was gentle, and never contended for His rights; but His own brethren scorned and hated Him, showing that they did not believe in Him, and casting contempt upon Him. . . . He lived above the difficulties of His life, as if in the light of God’s countenance. He bore insult patiently, and in His human nature became an example for all children and youth.” –Christ Triumphant, p. 224

As followers of Jesus we are to imitate His example. “When we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall not take neglects or slights to heart. We shall be deaf to reproach and blind to scorn and insult.” –Mind, Character and Personality, vol. 2, p. 607–608

“There are conditions to the fulfillment of God’s promises, and prayer can never take the place of duty. . . .  Those who bring their petitions to God, claiming His promise while they do not comply with the conditions, insult Jehovah.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 143

During the trial of Christ, Peter was detected as a follower of Christ by his speech even though he tried to deny it.  We too must be seen as a follower of Christ by our words and actions without preaching one sermon. “It is an insult to Jehovah to claim to be Christians and yet speak and act as worldlings. We cannot yield the smallest place to worldly policy. We need to be sanctified every hour through the belief of the truth. It is not safe for one day to neglect putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. We can make no compromise.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, p. 10

The angels recorded every insult when Jesus was on this earth. “Many companies of holy angels, each with a tall commanding angel at their head, were sent to witness the scene. They were to record every insult and cruelty imposed upon the Son of God, and to register every pang of anguish which Jesus should suffer; for the very men who joined in this dreadful scene are to see it all again in living characters.” –Early Writings, p. 138. They also record every insult you make to the Son of God.

If you have insulted your Lord and Saviour, thankfully, today there is still time to repent and find forgiveness. “Yet despite the insult which man has offered Him, God’s love is still extended to the race; and He permits light to shine, enabling man to see that in order to live a perfect life he must obey the natural laws which govern his being. How important, then, that man should walk in this light, exercising all his powers, both of body and mind, to the glory of God!” –Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, p. 8. But how long until the mercy of God reaches an end? Only God knows. Let us all repent and make our peace with God today. Amen.

Wendy Eaton