The Curse of Meroz

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 24, 1906

The Curse of Meroz

Meroz was a small village on the confines of Issachar and Naphtali, on the way of the fugitives of Sisera’s army when pursued by the army of Israel, under Barak.

The inhabitants of this village were cursed bitterly (Judges 5:23), not because they were suspected of sympathy with the enemies of Israel, nor because they in any active way aided in the escape of fugitives, but simply because they came not to the help of the Lord against the mighty enemies of Israel.

Their sin was the sin of omission, only; and in their eyes, doubtless, it was, if indeed they considered it a sin at all, a very little one. But God’s estimate was different. He sees not as men see, but looks upon the motives of the heart, and in this action of neutrality he saw that which called forth his bitter condemnation.

In refraining from taking part in this battle the inhabitants of Meroz were moved by what they made themselves believe were good and sufficient reasons, but which were, nevertheless, worthless. Their sympathies were probably with Israel; they hoped for a victory for God, and perhaps expressed themselves as on the side of Barak; but when it came to active participation in battle, they preferred to be excused. Perhaps they thought of their numbers, and reasoned: We are so few that we are not of sufficient account to make any difference as to the result of the battle, and therefore we will keep from any action or interference whatever. But their refusal to act for Israel immediately arraigned them on the side of Israel’s enemies. By permitting the enemies of God to pass through their village unmolested they themselves became enemies; for he that is not for God is against him.

They maintained as they supposed strict neutrality, and doubtless thought that even if they did not do any good, they were doing no harm; but God thought otherwise. It was their business to be actively engaged for God, instead of in a condition of neutrality, which all their protestations of sympathy could not redeem from criminal indifference.

Perhaps they lacked faith in the result of the battle, and thought it would be as well not to be actively engaged; for then, in case of defeat, they would escape the vengeance of their enemies. They preferred to stand well in the opinion of the Canaanites, and so prepare themselves against any possible contingency. They might have said, We believe that Israel is the people of God, and this is his battle, and he will win the victory anyway, and we can enjoy the fruits of victory just as well without risking our lives and reputations in the conflict. But whatever may have been the excuses of Meroz, they availed them nothing, and for their criminal negligence God cursed them.

The sin of Meroz is a very common sin to-day. Many sympathize with the Israel of God in word only, and when the need comes for each one to bear his part in actual warfare against the foes of God and truth, excuses are multiplied. It is astonishing what a poor estimate some put on their own abilities all at once — people, too, who are not lacking in self-esteem on other lines of work; but when it comes to the work of God, they are suddenly bereft of all talents, and consider themselves of so little account as to have no influence whatever on the results to be attained. Refusing thus to come to the help of God in his battle against sin and error, will they not, like Meroz, have to bear his curse?

Some lack faith. They are inclined to think that this is indeed the people of God, and that they are fighting the battles of truth; but defeat is possible, and in the event of reverses it is just as well not to be very actively identified with them.

Some desire to stand well in the eyes of the world, and this is impossible if they are actively engaged in the Lord’s cause; for an aggressive Christian life is likely to interfere with their business interests, and to prevent them from occupying the place in society to which they aspire. So they come not to the help of the Lord against the mighty.

Who will bear the curse of Meroz? Are you negligent? Are you cowardly? Are you faithless? Are you for any reason whatsoever excusing yourself from active work in the Master’s cause? Remember Meroz and God’s curse for the sin of omission.—Selected.