TERMINATE THE REPROACH
Terminate the reproach
A reproach, a mild rebuke, or an implied criticism. Disgraces or shame. An object of scorn.
A reproach is perceived as a negative part that relates to an object. If a man is dark in complexion, he will be described by that dark complexion, same thing when a lady is very light in complexion. If a person is height challenged, he will be described like that. People look at you and find something around you with which you can easily be recognized or described whether it’s good or bad.
In the Bible, they described Bartimaeus by his sickness. He was called blind Bartimaeus.
Mar 10:46 KJV And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
Simon had been cleansed of his leprosy, and he wanted to celebrate his deliverance, yet he was referred to and described still as Simon the leper.
Mat 26:6 KJV Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
Another Simon was described by his trade. He was called Simon the tanner.
Act 10:6 KJV He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
Rahab was called by her former trade even in the New Testament.
Jas 2:25 KJV Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Towns are not left out. Nazareth was a garrison city. The Jews did not like it because they were forced to pay tax by the Romans. So, when Philip told Nathaniel that he had seen Messiah, the response of Nathaniel was reproachful.
Joh 1:46 KJV And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
Reproach is a stigma, mark of negative identification, source of scorn and shame. The Lord will root them out of our lives in Jesus name.
When I was very young, people and neighbour described me as black man because I was extremely dark in complexion. Many people are like that.
Nobody likes negative remarks and that is why many people do everything possible to remove such things like bleaching, BBL, augmentation of body parts, stealing, robbery and committing all manner of vices.
Reproach can be on an individual, family, compound, career, town or a nation.
But it does not matter the reproach whether it is inherited, physical deformity, body shame, or associated with our town, career or nation, God has the ability to remove them.
The greatest reproach is not body defects, town or nations deficiency but sin. Sin-defaced humanity brought shame that made Adam cover himself with fig leaves. It was his sin that brought sickness, evil and death till today. However, God in His infinite mercy dealt with the reproach of sin by putting our sin on His son. He made sin for us so that we can be reconciled and become His righteousness 2Cor 5: 19-21.
If you have not received Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, the reproach of sin is still on you even though it has been paid for and the only thing you need to do is to believe that Jesus died for your sin and was resurrected on the third day for your justification. Confess Him as your Lord and you will be saved.
The Lord took away the reproach of these women and they testified.
Gen 30:23 KJV And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
Luk 1:25 KJV Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
He did same for Joshua:
Jos 5:9 KJV And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.
You need to ask questions:
Psa 74:10 KJV O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?
Psa 115:2 KJV Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
Joe 2:17 KJV Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
Psa 42:10 KJV As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
Psa 79:10 KJV Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.
The only reproach acceptable is being a Christian.
1Pe 4:14 KJV If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Apart from this terminate the reproach of the enemies
Nebuchadnezzar asked the three Hebrew boys that question:
Dan 3:15 KJV Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
You know the story very well. God proved Himself, He came down into the fire. The fourth man. That fourth man will show up for you today in Jesus name.
Sennacherib asked the same question from Juda and Zechariah when he invaded their land:
Isa 36:20 KJV Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?
You know the story very well, God proved Himself when one angel killed 185,000 soldiers in one night. Today God will prove Himself in your life.
Isa 37:36 KJV Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
This happened when they prayed God answered:
Isa 37:21 KJV Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:
Prayers:
Joe 2:19 KJV Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: