Key verse: “When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations” (Deuteronomy 18:9).
The Almighty God knew that the tendency of Israel to dabble into unnecessary imitation of the culture and tradition of other people was very high, hence, His decision to forewarn them. Israel had demonstrated repeated unfaithfulness and faithlessness in their dealings with God; for this reason God did not want to leave anything to chance.
On their journey to the Promised Land, Israel had repeatedly blasphemed, murmured and rebelled against their leaders and against God; they had also attempted at some points to go back to Egypt, even as they had at one point or the other courted idolatry. Hence, the Almighty God decided to warn them against any act of idol worship and abomination in the Promised Land.
As believers, our Christian journey to heaven is likened to that of Israel to Canaan. Many vibrant believers have had to abandon the faith because of careless imitation of the world.
Many believers who were once fervent had decided to drop their conviction as they got exposed to good things of life – good job, flourishing business and rewarding contracts. This happened as believers began to “learn to do after the abominations of” unbelievers.
God also warned Israel against the sin of idolatry. Therefore, we must be very careful not to embrace the worship of idol in a bid to beat hard times.
It is very sad to note that economic recession and other vicissitude of life have made a good number of believers to abandon the house of God for Voodoo, reading of stars, shrines and other hidden places seeking solution to their problems. By so doing they have sold themselves to perpetual slavery to Satan through false prophesies and divinations.
This Week, as we go about our businesses, we must bear in mind that we are called unto holiness whatever betides.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Sinful imitation destroys the simple-hearted.
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