Numbers 25
Journeying through the old testament can be difficult. There are some chapters I would really like to ignore (but I won't). This is one of them. It is a reminder that we should not yoke ourselves with unbelievers. It is not helpful to living lives in relationship with God to marry someone who worships other gods. Yes, indeed they may come to the LORD through our faithful witness. But, we may also be led away from Him, by their witness and life lived in worship of other things.
God was pretty zealous in His jealousy to send a plague in destroying thousands who turned away from Him. Death was the penalty for being led astray. And... what led them astray in the first place? Lust.... It started with sexual attraction. The men of Israel lusted after the women of Moab, who they followed down a path to the sacrificing and the worshipping of other gods. They forsook their God for sex. As we journey through the Bible you will notice that the relationship between God and His people is often likened to a marriage. When we go after other gods (idolotry) we are committing adultery. What happens in a marriage when adultery is committed? Most usually jealousy - sometimes it is so painful - that deaths do occur. Most often the pain that is endured because of adultery - feels like death.
Now, I don't believe that God is going to strike down every human being who turns away from Him with a great plague. But, death and not life is inevitable for those who turn away from Him, for those who reject Him and worship other gods. We know life when we are in relationship to God. We know death when we are not. Think about those times in your life when it felt like God simply wasn't there for you - when you felt like you were completely alone. Think about the times when you were busy chasing after other gods. Did you not feel like you were dieing? There may have been times when you even wanted to.
But, there is hope. Jesus said, "I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:9-10 NRSV) The thieves are false prophets, false shepherds, false gods. We do well if we recognize them and stay far away.
And... Jesus told Thomas, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) The only real life, the only abundant life is found in Jesus the Christ. Real life is experienced when we live in relationship with Jesus. Through Him we come to live in close relationship with the Father. And I add, by the power of the Holy Spirit... For without the Spirit there is no breath in us to proclaim his wonderous love to you. According to Jesus: "It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63)
Death or life? That is the question today... False gods or the one God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Who or what will you live your life in this world in relationship with?
Journeying through the old testament can be difficult. There are some chapters I would really like to ignore (but I won't). This is one of them. It is a reminder that we should not yoke ourselves with unbelievers. It is not helpful to living lives in relationship with God to marry someone who worships other gods. Yes, indeed they may come to the LORD through our faithful witness. But, we may also be led away from Him, by their witness and life lived in worship of other things.
God was pretty zealous in His jealousy to send a plague in destroying thousands who turned away from Him. Death was the penalty for being led astray. And... what led them astray in the first place? Lust.... It started with sexual attraction. The men of Israel lusted after the women of Moab, who they followed down a path to the sacrificing and the worshipping of other gods. They forsook their God for sex. As we journey through the Bible you will notice that the relationship between God and His people is often likened to a marriage. When we go after other gods (idolotry) we are committing adultery. What happens in a marriage when adultery is committed? Most usually jealousy - sometimes it is so painful - that deaths do occur. Most often the pain that is endured because of adultery - feels like death.
Now, I don't believe that God is going to strike down every human being who turns away from Him with a great plague. But, death and not life is inevitable for those who turn away from Him, for those who reject Him and worship other gods. We know life when we are in relationship to God. We know death when we are not. Think about those times in your life when it felt like God simply wasn't there for you - when you felt like you were completely alone. Think about the times when you were busy chasing after other gods. Did you not feel like you were dieing? There may have been times when you even wanted to.
But, there is hope. Jesus said, "I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:9-10 NRSV) The thieves are false prophets, false shepherds, false gods. We do well if we recognize them and stay far away.
And... Jesus told Thomas, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) The only real life, the only abundant life is found in Jesus the Christ. Real life is experienced when we live in relationship with Jesus. Through Him we come to live in close relationship with the Father. And I add, by the power of the Holy Spirit... For without the Spirit there is no breath in us to proclaim his wonderous love to you. According to Jesus: "It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63)
Death or life? That is the question today... False gods or the one God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Who or what will you live your life in this world in relationship with?
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