Friday, May 26: Leviticus 17- .

How hard it is to change. We get used to life one way and then change is thrust upon us or we embrace a change, yet the pull of the old ways remains. Change is hard. Just ask a smoker trying to quit or someone whose doctor says they need to lose weight and change their eating habits. Old habits die hard.

Israel, used to sacrificing to ‘god’ out in the field, is now being directed to make all sacrifices at the tent of meeting and to the LORD. Our God is a jealous God… Commandment Numero Uno: You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 5:7). This means Israel must relearn her sacrificial pattern. Sacrifice only to the Lord and only at the tent of meeting with someone from the priesthood of Aaron.

Some rules have simple punishments for being broken; this rule, however, carries a taxing punishment, being cut off from God’s people! Banishment, removal from God’s covenant family. The Lord is not playing around here. He demands all worship. Period.

How do I translate this to the 21st Century? 

No dabbling with other gods… no horoscopes, no practicing religious activities of non-Christian religions, no new age readings, crystals or meditation. (Meditation can be confusing, because Scripture itself calls us to meditate on God and the things of God (Psalm 48:9, etc.). New Age/Eastern religious mediation calls for people to empty themselves.  Meditation from a Bible perspective calls us to fill ourselves with the things and thoughts of the Lord. Same English word, polar opposite in practice.)

For friends in Africa, devotion to God alone can mean ceasing to participate in certain tribal rituals and this can cause definite family problems. Faith in God can cost mightily.

The call of God is to go all in with the Lord and to let go of previous, past and other religious activities.

God is asking each of us to examine our lives to see if we are maintaining any religious practices outside of Christ and if so… cut them off. Now.

Lord, expose any dalliance I might have with other gods, intentionally or unintentionally.  Show me, Lord, so that I might live with utter fidelity to You and You alone. Through Jesus, my Lord and Savior, I pray. Amen.

 

 

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