The New Baal

When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Acbor became king in his place. [Genesis 36.38] 

Baal is commonly known in the Bible as a false god. Baal was idolized for his alleged influence over weather and fertility - key factors to wealth in that day. The name Baal-hanan seems to imply that Baal is gracious, denoting a term of devotion and endearment for Baal.

Interestingly enough, in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading, Genesis 36.38 is the first introduction of the name "Baal" in the Bible. It just so happens in context it is associated with Edom (Edomites, descendants of Esau who sold his birthright) who was often found in opposition to Israel.

“I have always loved you,” says the LORD. But you retort, “Really? How have you loved us?” And the LORD replies, “This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob, but I rejected his brother, Esau, and devastated his hill country. I turned Esau’s inheritance into a desert for jackals.” [Malachi 1.2-3]

In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.” [Romans 9.13] 

Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. [Hebrews 12.16] 

It should also be understood that modern archeology reveals that areas where Baal worship was practiced were also associated with wealth and abundance. Oh, the irony that the earliest mention of the false god Baal, when researched, can be traced to money, the product of abundant crops yielded by favorable weather and the product of large households yielded by fertility!

No wonder God established the Ten Commandments so early-on in Israel's history. And, no wonder the first three of the Ten Commandments deal specifically with singular devotion to God:

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7]

Furthermore, no wonder Jesus (God With Us) disallowed any distractions among His followers:

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 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)] 

Baal's idolatrous association with wealth-by-weather-and-fertility has waned since Biblical times. However, the same wealth associated with weather and fertility then is associated now with the ingenuity of man. Man's ingenious ways are the new Baal. The distracting idolatry is the same. Thus Jesus was not unclear that in order to break free from the idolatry of man's way, one MUST give up his own way, disassociating entirely from the idolatrous ways of man.

I would be amiss here to neglect to point out that the idolatrous ways of man (his self-sufficient ingenuity) are on bold display in debt, insurance, medicine and technology. These industries are the new Baal.

If we fail to see idolatry's selfish beginning in the Garden of Eden ("has God really said...?") and its evolution (including Baal worship in the subject passage above) into the modern idols of today, then Jesus' words will mean little more than emotional religious fodder to be pondered. In this condition, there will be no action, no giving up our own way... and consequently, no association with Jesus - no salvation. Yes, it is that serious. 

"Faith in Jesus" does NOT allow us to remain in idolatry. 

There is simply no "faith in Jesus" without giving up our own way. "Giving up our own way" is to turn away from the idolatrous ways of man. "Turning away" is the very meaning and essence of the word "repent."

Father, forgive me for holding onto the new Baal. If I insist to hold on to my ways of self-preservation, in flagrant refusal to give them up, Your word is clear - I am not "in Christ" - I am not one of Your own. In contrast, even if I lose everything including my own life in pursuit of undivided faith in Jesus alone, it will be eternally worth it. May Your Word - Your Truth - continue to draw me to the action of repentance, giving up my own way - the ways of man, and following Jesus. So be it.