Throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, especially Pentateuch the first five books of the Old Testament that Moses Penned, from Genesis to Deuteronomy. Historically, God has proven Himself faithful and valiant to Israel despite their unfaithfulness unto Him. God was not only sovereign but He also shown His extraordinary love and mercy towards Israel, being they are His covenant people. God also has shown them His strength and His mighty [Omnipotence] power on their behalf. He had delivered them from their oppressors and adversaries countless of times, a number without end. Even though many times, they were outmanned and God would still delivered their enemies into their hands. Not only did God deliver them from their enemies but He displayed unprecedented signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth causing the sun and the moon to stand still, for the glory of God (Joshua 10:13). Obviously, you don’t have to be a Biblical Scholar to ponder, why a generation of Israel who rose up, who did not know the Lord (Judges 2:10). Frankly, it boggles one’s mind being Israel was God’s quintessential people, it’s hard to fathom a generation rose up who did not know God. That’s the impetus of this Blog.
The backstory to the children of Israel history began with the Patriarch, Abraham. God affirmed and said: I will bless them that bless thee, and I will curse him that curse thee: and all the family of the earth shall be blessed because of thee (Genesis 12:3). God also promised that Abraham’s seed would be blessed like sands of the seashore. Even though they would become captives, it happens according to God’s prophetic Word. He also promised that they would be delivered them despite they would become slaves in the house of bondage unto the Egyptians for four hundred years. God delivered them by the hand of Moses according to His Word, despite the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart. Undeniable it’s safe to say God’s word is infallible. The Bible declares: His word will not return on to Him void but will accomplish that which I please… (Isaiah 55:11) The preceding Scripture (Numbers 23:19) is a testimony and an affirmation of the faithfulness of God, to His covenant people. And it reads: God is not a man, that He should lie, neither the son of man that He should repent: hath he not said and he shall not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? Secondly, God also made another promise to Abraham that He would give his descendants a land that flows with milk and honey. Being it was part of Abrahamic Covenant, and they became His covenant people as well, as the apple of His eye.
As the children of Israel journey to the rite-of-passage, through the wilderness of Pharan, which they had to go through a metamorphosis Process-Indeed from a slave mentality and idolators. God had to get their Egypt mentality, out of them, that they could see things from God’s perspective instead of seeing themselves as a grasshopper. And God also performed various signs, miracles, and wonders to prove to them his authenticity and His extravagant love, and devotion to them. For example, the Lord led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Fed them with manna (angel food) Yet they would still murmur and complained against Moses and Aaron when things didn’t go their way. Although God delivered them from the house of bondage, they would still be needed to get acclimated to reverence and a holy God. Consequently, God forewarned Israel about their duplicity and their Idol worship, that God detested: which its the First Commandment: That thou shall have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:1-4). Obviously, with Israel, some habits, die hard. They did evil in the sight of the Lord and broke the commandment on several occasions. Regrettably they did not adhere, rather they evoke to idol-worship. again and again. As a result, they also forsook the Lord from which, their fathers were brought out of Egypt which they served Baalim and Ashtaroth. Subsequently, it’s easy to understand why the Lord was wroth and angered kindled against them, over their unfaithfulness and the abandonment of Him for other gods (Judges 2:10-14).
In this post-modern generation, you’re probably wondering how is idolatry relevant to you and the body of Christ today? Of course, you don’t have to be a Bible Theologian to know that idolatry comes in many different forms. We’ll take a close look at what idolatry means in this post-modern generation. Frankly, it could be your obsession with your ministry or overindulgence with your family, or whatever, you esteemed above God under the guise religious fervor and family values. Being preoccupied with ministry and family doesn’t necessarily mean God is first and foremost. Jesus affirmed: Anything or anyone that takes the place of God is not worthy of Me (Matthew 10:37-39). Ultimately, idolatry was Israel’s Achilles heel that causes God to scatter them among the nations (Deuteronomy 4:27). The heart of God burned with jealousy over His chosen people regarding idolatry. The question is, are we any different from the Children of Israel? It’s so easy to criticize Israel for their idol-worshiping, and their graven images, especially serving other gods.
For example, in our zeitgeist and post generation, the Word of God reverberates through our multi-media portal that causes me to be spellbound at times which is a form of entertainment, to gather the masses (1 corinthians 6:9). Technology in itself is wonderful. But I must admit I’m awestruck by some of our Sanctuary that I see over the airwaves which are an electronic marvel. I have no problem keeping up with modern technology unless we stay current with technology to proclaim the gospel of Christ we’ll become, antiquated. Notwithstanding, in some of our modern churches I’m afraid we’ve substituted glitz over substance. As the ole adage goes: “not everything that glitters is gold” Quite frankly, not only our technology we’ve become trendy but doctrinally as well. In many of our charismatic churches, we’ve departed from a conservative theology for a liberal gospel, under the pretext of grace and political correctness, which is a precursor to heresy. The Bible declares in the latter times: some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirit and doctrine of devils…(1 Timothy 4:1-2).
Finally, in hindsight we can see how Satan used deception and doublespeak to deceive, Adam and Eve to disobey God’s direct order not to touch the unbidden fruit in the midst of the garden (Genesis 3:1-7). As I alluded above Idolatry comes in many different forms masquerading a like an angel of light or a shinning armor. Satan knows how to appeal to our ego’s and our sense of pride and our ambition-whether that may be wealth, power, celebrity or fame. which is another ploy of Satan to beguile us from serving the true and living God.
