See how Jerusalem, once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers. Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine. [Isaiah 1.21-22]
Here in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading, the recurring theme of idolatry is further expounded. Isaiah's use of the word "prostitute" confirms this.
The one thing a prostitute is not is pure. When God's people rely on idols for the things He promised to provide, they, like prostitutes, are not pure.
Again today, we see the word "worthless" used regarding those who prostitute themselves with idols. This is consistent with what was discussed in yesterday's One Year Chronological Bible reading as it included the following:
They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and they despised all his warnings. They worshiped worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves. They followed the example of the nations around them, disobeying the LORD’s command not to imitate them. [2 Kings 17.15]
As discussed in It Is Still Going On Today!, syncretism is the condition of worshiping God and other idols. God is not, nor ever will be, a fan of syncretism. God does not promise to shepherd and provide for His people only for them to secure those benefits through idols of their own manufacture!
Their land is full of idols; the people worship things they have made with their own hands. [Isaiah 2.8]
As would be expected when men lived more primitively, idols were carved or cast images. But in a highly developed and advanced society, idols reflect man's ingenuity accordingly: idols therefore are much more complex in their design today. Debt, insurance, medicine and technology are all highly-developed products of man's making, and as such, perfectly fit the description of idols.
There is however a form of idolatry that has not changed since Old Testament times: the idolatry of depending on other nations. As seen in the Old Testament, reliance on other nations got Israel in trouble repeatedly.
For modern believers to think somehow Jesus' Advent made idolatry go away is ludicrous. In absolute God-like fashion, Jesus repeatedly demanded undivided faith from His followers. In contrast, He specifically decried "man's way" in the following demand:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]
Matthew 16.24 is in context of an important discussion that started with Simon Peter trying to "reason" with Jesus after Jesus told the disciples of His pending crucifixion. THINK! Suffering is what Jesus was facing. Suffering is what debt, insurance, medicine and technology all attempt to avert in some form or another!
We are not told to take matters into our own hands regarding money, protection, health and information. We are specifically told to trust God with an open-ended promise attached:
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [Matthew 6.33]
In spiritual terms, the opposite of faith in God is prostitution with idols. This prostitution with idols does not necessarily prevent retaining 'faith in God' in word, but absolutely renders it worthless effectually.
A true believer who would be "pure" today is one who is methodically attempting to rid himself (or herself) of idols in order to trust and follow only Jesus in all the faith described in Hebrews 11 - even faith to die believing God not having seen the fulfillment of that faith (taking up one's cross...).
All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. [Hebrews 11.39]
Idolatry is serious business because it impedes faith. Israel's tumultuous story in the Old Testament can be attributed to one word: idolatry. Oh, to be sure, most of the time they retained at least a form of worshiping God, but they prostituted themselves with idols too. For this reason, much of the Old Testament records God's unmistakable disdain for idolatry.
If God hates idols, we should too.
Father, once again today I realize just how critical it is that we trust Jesus (therefore You) alone. I realize once again today that idols are perfectly fine with syncretism while You are not. I realize that even though idols feign to "provide," they ultimately "take." And, I realize that when I make room for idols in my life, I thereby invite You to leave (and You do - taking all Your blessings with You). Forgive my hesitancy to rid myself entirely of idols. Help me, I know it won't be easy, but I know You will be there. So be it.
No comments:
Post a Comment