Following God Into
the Wilderness
Chapter
One – God Prepares a Deliverer
There
have been many outstanding men (none like
them in all the earth) whose lives God has detailed in His Word as examples
for us to follow culminating with His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. These men
were righteous in their generations due to their hearts of love, obedience and
devotion (faith) in seeking God and
performing the Lord’s will. A perfect man is one that feareth God and
escheweth (to flee from, shun or avoid)
evil (Job 1:8, 2:3). These men were
not talkers, but doers. They faced great resistance from their fellow man who
sought their own will, but stood mighty among all men in God’s eyes. Moses was
just such a man. In many ways Moses was a foreshadowing of Christ. Moses was a
man and no god, but the Lord exalted him as a god among his fellow men due to
his heart of obedience toward the Lord (Ex
7:1). All the while Moses was the meekest of men and a servant to all with
such a heart of love that he offered up his own salvation in bearing the
iniquity of the people before God (Num
12:3, Ex 32:32). This study examines God’s expectations for man and how
Jesus Christ absolutely fulfilled those requirements and led the way back to
God. This book follows God’s dealings with Moses and the children of
Israel
with scriptural commentary throughout to gain
additional perspective of God’s purposes and how they are equally applicable
today (see the Outline at the end of the
Conclusion of this book). This book will also consider the amazing parallels
between Moses and Christ.
Man
has been corrupted since the fall in
Eden
. The wickedness had become so great upon the
face of the earth that God was grieved that He had even created man (Gen
6:5-6, 11-12, 17). God decided to destroy His creation with a flood due to
the complete rebellion and wickedness (2
Pt 3:6). Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord such that he and his
family were preserved. The Lord made a covenant (agreement)
with them such that Noah would construct an ark to preserve his family and
representative animals of the world (Gen
6:8-9, 13, 18). God’s creation of man was saved through the faithfulness
of this one man. 2 Peter 2:5, “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah
the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the
world of the ungodly.” By faith, the wicked were condemned and the righteous
were saved (precursor to Judgment Day, Heb
11:7). Those who seek God with a perfect heart, by nature of their
obedience, will always condemn those who do not. Noah obeyed God and built the
ark and thereby sealed the fate of the ungodly. After the flood, men began to
again multiply upon the face of the earth and their hearts were again turned to
wickedness. The people were of one language and one heart and decided to exalt
themselves (pride, self seeking) by
building a tower that would reach the very throne of God (Gen
11:1-4). This violated the covenant (agreement)
that God had made with Noah and all the living upon the earth (Gen
9:8-17). Man was exalting his will before God. The Lord confounded their
language and the different groups went their ways and formed nations (Gen
11:5-9). These nations (distinctions)
provided a separation to prevent man from unifying as one in wickedness again (as
before the flood which necessitated the flood). God’s plan was to create a
nation that would be surrendered and obedient to Him to be the example for all
nations (and thus all men). For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro
throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose
heart is perfect toward him (2 Chr 16:9).
Sometimes, there is no man to stand in the gap (Ez
22:30
-31).
However, the Lord found such a man in Abram. This man would be the foundation
upon which God would build a nation. Nehemiah 9:7-8, “Thou art the LORD the
God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees,
and gavest him the name of Abraham; And foundest
his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the
land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the
Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast
performed thy words; for thou art righteous.” Abram found favor in the eyes of
the Lord God – he was called a friend of God (Js
2:23
). The Lord purposed to multiply his descendants into a nation (giving
them the
land
of
Canaan
) from which He would bless all nations (Gen
18:18
). Galatians 3:8, “And the scripture,
foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the
gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” Genesis
12:2-3, “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and
make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that
bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of
the earth be blessed.” The reason that God was going to bless all the nations
of the earth through Abraham was because of his obedience (Gen
22:18
); for Abraham obeyed the voice of the Lord, and
kept His charge, His commandments, His statutes, and His laws (Gen 26:4-5). Abraham was faithful to God with a complete heart of
love, devotion, trust and obedience known as faith. God said of Abraham: Genesis
18:19, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household
after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment;
that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” This
is what the Lord expects of all men. God began His nation from seemingly
impossible circumstances. Abram (later to
be called Abraham, Gen 17:5) was a hundred years old and his wife was ninety
when they had their only son, Isaac (offspring
of the two, Gen
17:17
, 21:5).
God’s nation began on the foundation of faith. Faith reaches beyond the flesh
(the ability of) to accomplish God’s
purposes. Hebrews 11:11-12, “Through faith also Sara herself received strength
to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because
she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one,
and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as
the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.” Human reasoning and ability
could not have produced the offspring that God did through the faith of Abraham
(ceased to be with Sarah after the manner
of women, Gen
18:11
). From this one son a people would come forth
numbered as the sand of the seashore and the stars in the heavens. Genesis
13:14-16, “And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from
him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward,
and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to
thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the
dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall
thy seed also be numbered.” This land was the “Promised Land.” Similarly,
God also promised Abraham’s son Isaac and his son Jacob, that all nations of
the earth would be blessed through them by nature of the faith and obedience of
Abraham (Gen 26:4-5, 28:14). Galatians
3:6-9, 14, 29, “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the
children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the
heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee
shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with
faithful Abraham. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles
through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs
according to the promise.” Jesus is the son of David, the son of Abraham (Mt
1:1). Our faith is made perfect in Christ as we are led of His Spirit in
following Jesus to the Promised Land to dwell with God eternally
(Rev 21:1-8).
Genesis
15:12-16, “And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and,
lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And he (God)
said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land
that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four
hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and
afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy
fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth
generation they shall come hither again: for the
iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full (see below).” A righteous God judges nothing before the time. The
inhabitants of the land which God had promised Abraham had not yet reached the
point of judgment in their wickedness (Lev
18:24
-29). God had a purpose in preparing His people for future promises. Thus
begins our journey…
Understanding God’s Plan
When
the Lord selected Abram to become a holy nation (peculiar
people, Ex 19:5, Ps 135:4) he brought him into the
land
of
Canaan
. God promised to give Abraham this land (Gen
12:7,
13:14
-17,
15:18
-21). However, the
land
of
Canaan
was populated. The land belonged to nations such
as the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaims,
Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and the Jebusites (descendants
of Ham, Gen
15:18
-21, also
Ex 3:8). The Lord God is a righteous
and merciful God and will not destroy the righteous with the wicked (Gen
18:23
, 25, Ps
116:5). Consider God’s character:
Exodus 34:6-7, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD,
The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and
truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and
sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the
fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third
and to the fourth generation (also Ps
86:15).” When God flooded the earth, everyone was wicked and corrupted in
their way except Noah (Gen 6:5, 8, 12).
God preserved Noah due to his righteousness (Heb 11:7). When God judged
Sodom
and
Gomorrah
he told Abraham that he would not destroy the
righteous with the wicked (Gen
18:23
, 25). The Lord agreed to spare the cities if just ten righteous people could
be found (Gen
18:32
, 2 Pt 2:6).
Turns out that the cities were wholly (completely,
entirely, utterly) given over to wickedness, but God preserved righteous Lot
(2 Pt 2:7-9). Therefore, the Lord could not destroy the inhabitants
out of the Promised Land (in keeping with
His righteous character) as long as there were righteous people living in
it. This is why the Lord made the statement: “the iniquity of the Amorites is
not yet full (Gen
15:16
).” The Lord was going to allow things to progress in there own way (men
seeking self rather than God) until the wickedness came to its evil and full
conclusion (the leaven working its way through the whole lump, 1 Cor 5:6, Gal 5:9)
– till the transgressors were come to the full (Dan 8:23). God knows the end of a matter (foresees what will happen, omniscient). God is longsuffering that
all men would repent, but He does not force you (Ez 33:9-11, 2 Pt 3:9). In time, there would be no more righteous in
the land and then God would bring judgment upon the land – for everything a
time and a season (Eccl 3:1).
Ecclesiastes 3:16-17, “And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment,
that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was
there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for
there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” The land
eventually (in the course of time)
became defiled (because of their
wickedness) and the Lord said: Leviticus
18:25
, “And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof
upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.” They did great
abominations and defiled the land and thus it would spue out the nations and
inhabitants before (in advance of)
Israel
(Lev
18:27
-28). Thus, God made the following statement: Deuteronomy 9:5, “Not for thy
righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess
their land: but for the wickedness of these
nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that
he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob (also Deut 9:4).” God would judge these nations due to their own
wickedness and thus destroy the existing population from the land – drive out
nations greater and mightier and give thee the land (Deut
4:38
, Josh
24:11-12). The condemnation and
destruction would be just and thus not impugn God’s righteous character - true
and righteous are thy judgments Lord God Almighty (Rev 14:7, 16:7, 19:2). However, the Lord could not allow
Israel
(Jacob),
his sons, and their families to remain in the
land
of
Canaan
or they would have become corrupted just like
all the other nations in the land. God was going to send them to
Egypt
to sojourn for a time and then bring them back
and
Israel
would be the mechanism of God’s judgment of
the wicked (Deut 7:2, 16, 12:2,
20:17
, Josh
6:21
,
20:11
). Similarly, those who follow Christ will have a role in God’s judgment
of the world. 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge
the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the
smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things
that pertain to this life?” In order for the Lord’s will to happen (come
about, occur, take place), preparations had to be made in advance. The Lord
first sent Joseph ahead of the others into the
land
of
Egypt
to prepare place (Gen
45:5-7). Joseph went under great suffering and tribulation, yet God kept him
in the midst (Gen 39:1-5, 20-23). He
was first sold as a slave (Gen 37:28, 36),
then falsely accused (Gen 39:19-20)
and put into prison for over two years (Gen
39:20-23, 41:1). The Lord then worked a truly astounding (unbelievable, incredible, astonishing) miracle and exalted (vaulted,
promoted, Genesis Chap Forty One) Joseph from prison to ruler over
Egypt
, answerable only to Pharaoh (Gen 41:39-44). Psalms 105:16-21, “Moreover he called for a famine
upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. He sent a man before them,
even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he
was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried
him. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go
free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance.” The Lord
God arranged the mechanism (means, method)
for
Israel
to leave
Canaan
and to have land (place)
in
Egypt
. This was accomplished by the seven years of
plenty and the seven years of great famine (dearth,
Genesis Chap Forty One). When the great famine came, all the Egyptians came
to Joseph for food (Gen 41:57). When
their money was exhausted, they gave him their cattle (and livestock) and then their land.
Joseph gathered up all the land in
Egypt
(with the
exception of the priest’s land, Gen 47:14, 17, 20-23). At this same time
Israel
sent his sons to buy food and Joseph recognized
them (Gen 42:1-3, 6-8). After some
maneuvering, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and brought his father (Jacob)
and all of
Israel
to
Egypt
(Gen
45:1-4, 8-10). Psalms 105:23, “
Israel
also came into
Egypt
; and Jacob sojourned in the
land
of
Ham
.” Joseph then gave
Israel
and his descendants the best of the land (
Goshen
, with
Pharaoh’s concurrence, Gen 47:5-6)
– for he controlled all the land. Genesis 47:11, “And Joseph placed his
father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the
best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded (also
Gen 50:20).” After Joseph and his generation died, another Pharaoh rose up
and placed
Israel
into great bondage (Ex 1:6, 8-14).
Israel
became Pharaoh’s bondmen (Ps 107:11-12). This was also part of God’s wisdom.
Israel
would have become assimilated (incorporated, absorbed) into
Egypt
and would have lost their identity as a people
had God not purposefully put enmity between the Egyptians and the Israelis (Hebrews).
Israel
would have also become totally corrupted as the
Egyptians were, had the Lord not put a separation in place. Psalms 105:24-25,
“And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their
enemies. He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his
servants.” At the appropriate time, God would redeem (deliver) Israel from the land of Egypt by His strong arm and judge
Egypt for their wickedness (Gen 15:14,
Ps 107:13-14).
Egypt
’s wickedness toward and bondage of
Israel
would provide God the means to later extract His
people and again not impugn the Lord’s righteous and merciful nature. God
would also receive glory and great honor in all of this (Ex 14:8). Having delivered
Israel
from
Egypt
, God would then judge the seven nations of the
Promised Land and drive these wicked people out. Thus,
Israel
would inherit the land promised to Abraham. The
Lord would thus fulfill His promise given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Numbers
24:8, “God brought him forth out of
Egypt
; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn:
he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce
them through with his arrows.” Deuteronomy 7:1-10, “When the LORD thy God
shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast
out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the
Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the
Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; And when the LORD thy
God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy
them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: Neither
shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his
son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy
son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the
LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. But thus shall ye deal
with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut
down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath
chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are
upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose
you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of
all people: But because the LORD loved you, and
because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath
the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house
of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the
LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with
them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; And
repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack
to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face (also
Ex 23:23, 34:11, Josh 24:8, 11-12, 18).” The Lord further stated: Numbers
33:52-53, “Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before
you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and
quite pluck down all their high places: And ye
shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have
given you the land to possess it.” To dispossess is to put out of possession
by God’s means.
Similarly,
God has made those who follow Christ sojourners in the world and has put a
separation (enmity) between the
righteous and the wicked (Ps 37:12-13,
44:8-13, 1 Jn 3:1). Proverbs 29:27, “An unjust man is an abomination to
the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.” God
delivers His people from Satan’s bondage and redeems them (Ti
2:14
, Rm
8:21
, Gal 5:1,
Heb
2:15
-16, 1 Jn 3:8).
Galatians 1:4, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from
this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” The
Lord preserves the righteous through His Holy Spirit as they yield, follow and
obey. Those who follow the ways of the world are just that – one with the
world (absorbed, assimilated, merged,
worldlings). God has not judged the world yet because the transgressors are
not yet come to the full (Dan
8:23
, Mt
5:45
). At the end of the age Christ will come and destroy the wicked, and then
the righteous will inherit the earth (Promised
Land, Ps 37:11, 22, Mt 5:5). Psalms 37:9, “For evildoers shall be cut off:
but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” The
righteous are “called out” of this wicked world (i.e.
Egypt
, 2 Cor
6:17
, Rev 18:4).
These are the church: ekklesia – called out ones. We are of God, and the whole
world lieth in wickedness (1 Jn
5:19
). We are brought through the wilderness and into
the Promised Land (new earth, new
Jerusalem, 2 Cor
4:18
, Is 65:17,
66:22,
Rev 3:12
, 21:1-2).
2 Peter 3:13, “Nevertheless we, according to
his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
righteousness (also Is 65:17-18).” Throughout this book, we will examine the
allegory between God’s deliverance of
Israel
from
Egypt
and God’s ultimate deliverance of His people
from a fallen world (reconciled back to
Himself). An allegory is a figurative discourse (representing
something else indirectly), in which the principal subject is described by
another subject resembling it in its properties and circumstances. The principal
subject is thus kept out of view, and we are left to collect the intentions of
the writer or speaker, by the resemblance of the secondary to the primary
subject. This allegory concerns two very real events. The principle subject is
God’s reconciliation of fallen man back to himself and the overthrow of all
rebellion (throughout creation). The
rebellious are those who align with Satan’s rebellion (i.e. fallen angels, man) via “The Lie” which proposed that you
could transgress the will of God and not die – “ye shall not surely die” (Gen
3:4). The “lie” further proposed that “ye shall be as gods” in
determining your “own way” – rebellion against God’s authority (which
is God’s control over His creation, Is 43:7, 44:24, 45:17). Satan taught
rebellion against the Lord by enticing man to trust in a lie – his lie, which
is to seek self (your will, your way, your
path) rather than submit to the authority of God (i.e.
Jer 28:15-16, 29:30-31). Anyone who teaches that which is contrary to
God’s will (including many a
religious man) teaches rebellion and a lie as per their father’s (the
devil) nature. Man can no more exist independently of God than can a flower
exist apart from the sun, rain and nutrients of the soil. God is the giver of
life and there is no life apart from the Lord (second
death). This is why transgressing the will of God brings death –
separation from God is death. God is the giver of life! For now we live, if we
stand fast in the Lord (1 Thess 3:8).
Man’s independence and self-seeking ways are founded on ignorance and
deception (blindness) from the father
of all lies (Jn
8:44
). Man’s fallen existence (life) subsists only on the mercy of God in making His sun to rise on
the evil and on the good, and sending rain on the just and on the unjust (Mt
5:45). To think/live in a prideful (self
exaltation), arrogant, haughty and self-sufficient way only reveals the true
ignorance and corrupted nature of the knowledge/ways of man. This book will show
that man has been corrupt in seeking his will above God’s since the fall in
Eden
. This corruption as never been greater than it
is today in this most religious world.
Egypt
The
children of
Israel
(Jacob’s
sons) went down to sojourn in
Egypt
during a time of great drought and ended up in
bondage for a period of four hundred and thirty years (Ex
12:40
-41).
Egypt
was the
land
of
Ham
(Ps
105:23, 27, 106:22). Ham was Noah’s son who was cursed by his father due
to an act of wickedness shortly after the ark came to rest upon dry land (Gen
9:22-23). Noah cursed Ham’s descendants via
Canaan
(Gen
9:24
-27). They settled in this whole region including
Sodom
and Gomorrah (Gen
10:19
).
Egypt
was a land of idolatry (Ex
12:12
, Josh
24:14, Ps 96:4-5, Is 19:1, 3, Ez 20:7).
Idolatry is the worship of idols, images or anything which is not the one true
God. This is an attachment or veneration (worship,
reverence, admiration, regard) which leads to adoration (devotion,
exaltation, glorification). More simply put, idolatry is anything in your
life that comes between or interferes with your devotion to God (takes
your attention). Since we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart,
mind, soul and strength it doesn’t take much to become idolatrous (Mk
12:30
, Lk
10:27
). In a spiritual sense,
Egypt
is that which hinders God’s purposes and is
symbolic of “the world.”
Egypt
is the glory of the world, man’s wisdom and transgression against the
will of God resulting in iniquity, rebellion, pride, arrogance, and self
seeking. Pride is self exaltation which is the seeking of your own way (ye
shall be as gods, Gen 3:5). This is self-adequacy (SELF-sufficiency,
competence, capability) and not submission to and reliance upon God. Seeking
your way is always an exaltation over God’s way. Pharaoh and
Egypt
are a very proud people. The
land
of
Egypt
lies in wickedness – as does the world (1
Jn
5:19
).
Egypt
is that which refuses to yield to the authority
of God and typifies (characterizes,
epitomizes, exemplifies, personifies, illustrates) Satan and the fallen
nature of man. Pharaoh is the ruler of
Egypt
and he greatly opposes God (via Moses and Aaron) and personifies the beast (Satan,
antichrist, devil, serpent, dragon). Pharaoh (i.e.
the devil) thinks he is a god (Ez
28:2, 6, 9). Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God,
or that is worshipped (2 Thess 2:4).
Rebellious man is proud and also thinks he is a god through the devil’s lie in
Eden
: “ye shall be as gods” (Gen 4:5). In both cases this desire to be a god is manifested by
seeking your own will over the one true God’s will. This is the strong
delusion that God sends to them that receive not the love of His truth – the
lie that they believe (2 Thess
2:10
-11). To seek your will is to place it foremost over all other (disregard
for God’s will). The Lord God Almighty rules in majesty (Ps
93:1-5, 95:3-4, 97:1-6, 9, 99:1-3, 113:4-5). God’s will is the Divine
determination for the course of His creation and having the power (ability) to carry that purpose into effect (God said…and it was so, creation – Genesis Chap One, Ps 100:3,
104:29-30). The devil’s or man’s self-will is the creation’s rebellion
(transgression, refusal to comply,
frowardness) against God’s will in seeking or determining its own course
with only presumed, but not substantive (actual,
not imaginary)
authority – this is more a desire with the inability in reality to
obtain (delusion, cannot bring forth).
Pharaoh exalts himself and rules with a mighty hand and refuses to let God’s
people go (Ex
4:23
, 8:1, 20, 9:1, 17, 10:3).
Pharaoh (the devil) through his subtly
keeps God’s people in his prison house (Ps
105:23-25, Is 42:7, 61:1, Jn
8:34
, 36, 2 Tim
2:26
).
Egypt
has poured out their whoredoms (idolatry, worship of idols) upon God’s people (Ez 23:3, 8). The children of
Israel
were influenced by the idolatrous and wicked
practices of the Egyptians, but were shielded to some degree as bondmen, not
having full rights and privileges. As mentioned, God purposefully put enmity
between
Israel
and
Egypt
. Pharaoh and his people walk in hate, which is
sacrifice of others (Hebrews and mixed
multitude) for the benefit of self (opposite
of love). The Lord would have us walk in love which is the sacrifice of self
for the benefit of others (e.g. 1 Cor
10:33
). The
Lord’s people are not to do after the doings of
Egypt
or any wicked nation (Lev 18:3). God has come to deliver His people from the will of
Pharaoh and the Lord intends to demonstrate that He has the power to effect His
will (Ex
9:16
). Pharaoh is mighty, but is powerless and
helpless in the strong arm of God. Pharaoh says, “I will --,” but has no
power to back up his boast (makes five
prideful, arrogant, haughty boasts, but is cast down to hell - Is
14:13
-15, Ex 5:9).
God says, “I AM” and demonstrates this with great power and deliverance (Ex
3:14
, Exodus Chap Fifteen).
Isaiah 44:6, “Thus saith the LORD the King
of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; “I AM” the first, and “I
AM” the last; and beside me there is no God
(also Is 45:22, 46:9).” Woe to the
man who thinks in his heart, “I AM” as they go about in “their” way (path/self-will
– to presume to be a god, Ez 28:2). God is in control of all things:
Romans 9:17-18, “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same
purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my
name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom
he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Perhaps the same can be
said of Lucifer (being hardened)?
Egypt
is a place of bondage, worldly lusts, impurity,
uncleanness, excess and great evil (Gal
4:3, 9, Ti 3:3, 1 Thess 4:7).
Egypt
is also a very “religious” place full of
temples, ceremony, devotion and ritual and this is often the deception that has
one believe they are serving God when actually they are not. This religion is
ultimately led (orchestrated, devised)
of the flesh and not the Spirit. The Spirit does not lead that which pertains to
the flesh (Jn 3:6, Rm 8:1, Gal 3:3,
5:16
-17).
Egypt
is an attitude of the heart which expresses
itself outwardly in one’s actions. Those in
Egypt
worship many gods for the benefit of self. No
one in
Egypt
worships the one
true God in denial of self. Many will
endure the bondage if they consider the selfish benefit to outweigh the misery.
For the “follower” of Christ (who has
been delivered), Egypt was: Ephesians 2:2-3, “Wherein in time past ye
walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air
(Pharaoh – the devil), the spirit
that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation (lifestyle)
in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling
the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by
nature the children of wrath, even as others.” The children of
disobedience are those in rebellion to God’s will and purposes because they
seek their own will (even religiously)
and fleshly lusts. They always choose that which opposes God - the world, the
lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn
2:15
-17).
The course of this world is a system that affects every part of your life (built
upon the desires of the flesh) – work, leisure, celebrations,
relationships, entertainment, social duties, politics, finance, and religion.
This is a tangled woven web that men are quickly caught up in. This system
demands that one “tow the line” and does tolerate some religiosity, but has
little/no tolerance for one truly following Christ in sincere faith. God’s
grace demands a complete recognition (surrender
to) of His Lordship and total obedience in all areas of your life.
Therefore, there is an immediate conflict in following the world’s system and
following God.
Egypt
also has a fascination with death and life
beyond – great tombs and elaborate embalming (preserving)
techniques. The Lord says naked came ye into the world and naked shall ye leave
(Job
1:21
). God gave the spirit and the spirit will return
to God (Gen 2:7, Eccl 12:7). The
Egyptians are very materialistic and self centered and intend to take their
possessions with them (to be used in the
afterlife). Pharaoh (i.e. the devil)
has the power of death and uses it against God’s people (over those not submitted to God, Heb
2:14
).
Sojourners
Jacob
(
Israel
, Gen 35:10)
and his sons went down to sojourn in the
land
of
Egypt
(Gen 47:4).
To sojourn is to live in a place as a temporary resident, not considering the
place to be a permanent habitation.
Israel
’s temporary stay turned into a bondage and
great vexation of spirit. Acts 7:6, “And God spake on this wise, That his seed
should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage,
and entreat them evil four hundred years.” Similarly, those who follow Jesus
are just sojourning in this present world (Ps
39:12). We are pilgrims and wayfaring men just passing through on our way to
dwell with our Lord. A wayfarer is a traveler; and a pilgrim is one that has
only a temporary residence on the earth as we know it. We are not of the world (Jn
17:16
)! Hebrews
11:16
, “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore
God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a
city.” Followers of Christ are also vexed by the wickedness and bondages of
this world and their hope is in the salvation of the Lord (2 Cor
4:18
). As strangers and pilgrims in a fallen world,
they abstain from the fleshly lusts all around them which war against the soul
because they do not want to arrive in the better country (that is, an heavenly) before the King (Jesus) as corrupted and unfit for residence or citizenship (1
Pt 2:11). Those found in Jesus confess that they are merely strangers and
pilgrims on the earth (Heb
11:13
). Isaiah 35:8-10, “And an highway shall be
there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness (A narrow way, Mt
7:13
-14);
the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring
men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there (the
devil is as a lion seeking whom he may devour, 1 Pt 5:8), nor any ravenous
beast (false prophets which are wolves in
sheep’s clothing, Mt 7:15) shall go up thereon, it shall not be found
there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall
return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they
shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” The
redeemed are those who are ransomed; they are delivered from the world’s (Satan’s)
bondage, distress, penalty, and liability, by the atonement of Jesus Christ –
they are called out by name (Is 43:1).
Jesus redeems those who will follow Him, out of the world (i.e.
Egypt
). These are the church, known as the Ekklesia,
meaning “called out ones.” What have they been “called out” of? They
have been called out of Egypt/the world, for the purpose of being reconciled
with their God. They are not redeemed with corruptible things such as money (gold
and silver), but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without
blemish and without spot (sinless, 1 Pt
1:18
-19). God comes to deliver the house of Satan’s prisoners (Is
14:17
). Psalms 39:12, “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and
give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with
thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.” These are delivered from
Egypt
(i.e. the
world)! God delivers and redeems those who trust in Him and leads them (they
follow) to a better place (Promised
Land, new earth - new Jerusalem). The redemption that God brought to the
children of
Israel
who were in bondage to
Egypt
is a picture of the redemption that we now have
through Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:14, “In whom we have redemption through
his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”
Jesus also redeems us from bondage (
Egypt
) and brings us to God: Colossians 1:21-23,
“And you, that were sometime alienated and
enemies in your mind by wicked works,
yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to
present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue
in the faith grounded and settled, and be not
moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was
preached to every creature which is under heaven…” The Lord leads us into
the wilderness to teach death to self and faith toward God (walking
it out, living it). Faith is actually opposite of the flesh and men will
live their lives in one or the other. The wilderness will bring about the
separation of those in the flesh and those in the Spirit (faith).
The wilderness equates to the trials, tribulations and testings the Lord sends
into our lives (Ps 7:9, 11:5, Pv 17:3, 1
Thess 2:4, 1 Pt 1:7,
4:12
-13).
One’s true character emerges under pressure (duress).
The trials and testings tear down the things of the flesh and conform those
sincerely seeking God to Christ’s image (through
faith).
Idolatry
Idolatry
is giving your heart and attentions to “something” other than wholly (fully, completely) to God. This is a worship of the creation rather
than the Creator. Anything apart from God is the creation (including the devil). This could be the intentional (deliberate,
purposeful) free will worship (bowing
down before) of some physical representation of a god or other object of
adornment (person, place, thing) other than the one true God of the Bible or
the unintentional reverence for people, places or things. Whether you choose to
call the object(s) of your desire (affections,
attention) a god or not is immaterial (beside
the point) and irrelevant – you may never see it that way (blindness
of heart). Those who walk in darkness are always blind to the truth around
them (Jn
12:35
, 40,
1 Jn
2:11
); darkness = cannot see. When Jesus calls us out
of the darkness into His light, He is also calling us out of the deception into
seeing the truth (Jn
3:19
-21)
– and living the truth. John
8:12
, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I
am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness (iniquity,
rebellion deceit, blindness), but shall have the light of life (truth,
righteousness and judgment).” To exalt “things” is to diminish God. To
“exalt” the creation is to lessen the Creator. These things will manifest as
what you enjoy (where your heart is)
and give time and attention to and make sacrifices for (time, place, resources, attention, devotion). These are the things
you think upon and are influenced and motivated by (perhaps taught by) and become the essence of who you are. As
previously mentioned, idolatry is anything that you are devoted to that comes
before or interferes with your love and service to God – an object of
admiration. This could be self, religion, money, career, loved ones, sports,
pets (the Egyptians worshipped cats and
gods with animal qualities), personalities, hobbies, music,
country/patriotism, possessions, food, entertainments, addictions (vices), opinions, etc. These are all things the flesh desires, and
the flesh is in rebellion to God. Man serves the flesh and the flesh places
itself and its wants, desires (lusts)
and needs before God (ahead of, in advance
of). Scriptures define disobedience to God (rebellion and stubbornness; obstinacy) as iniquity and idolatry (1
Sam
15:23
). This is because stubbornness to do God’s
will exalts your will above His and this becomes a great idol. If you are not
obeying God, then you are obeying self. Those who seek the lusts of the flesh
always have a higher priority to self than God. Thus idolatry is a bondage on
the spirit made strong through fleshly lusts. Those in bondage will actually
defend the bondage due to the hold it has through the flesh (i.e.
alcoholics, smokers, sexual perversion, drug addicts, gamblers, over-eating,
excessive buying, etc.). The strongholds were placed upon (acquired
by) oneself through desire (Js
1:13
-14). Those in bondage do not necessarily seek freedom. Some who break free
only return to the bondages again to satisfy the lust of the flesh (Pv
26:11, Gal
2:18
). 2 Peter
2:22
, “But it is happened unto them according to
the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was
washed to her wallowing in the mire.” The dog returns to the vomit and the
clean sow to the mud because it is their very nature to do such. Since
Eden
, man’s very nature has been to seek his will
through the lusts of the flesh (the nature
of the devil). Until this nature dies and a new nature is given there can be
no change. Many attempt to rehabilitate the fallen nature or add a form of
godliness to it (add God to their
interests, to their idolatry or house
of gods), but there will be no change until it completely dies. Man
transgresses God’s will in seeking his will. Seeking your own will is nothing
more than just placing your needs, wants, opinions, and desires first (foremost) in your daily life – just that simple. This is
determining “your” own way. A less nice way to say this is “seeking after
the imaginations of your own heart,” or “doing what is right in your own
eyes” (Gen 6:5, Deut 29:19, Pv 6:18, Jer
3:17, 4:18, 7:24, 9:14, 11:8, 13:10, 16:12, 18:12, 23:17, Rm 1:21, Deut 12:8,
Jdj 17:6, 21:25, Ps 36:2, Pv 3:7, 12:15, 16:2, 21:2, 30:12, Is 5:21). You
are either submitted to and following God or you are charting your own course (perhaps
with a form of godliness). When one sincerely submits to the Lord (Christ
who sends the Holy Ghost), the Spirit will begin to tear down the idols you
have placed in your heart – the high places.
One by one they must fall and this is accomplished through your obedience to
God’s Word in your life as the Spirit unfolds it to you – a walk of faith (practical
application). The length of this process is relational to your obedience and
extent of idolatry therein – perhaps a lifetime? The Spirit conforms us to the
image of Christ through death to self resulting in submission and love (if
you love me keep my commandments, Jn
14:15
-
obedience) for God. Many will resist,
quench or grieve the Spirit because of their love of darkness (Eph
4:30
, Acts
7:51
, 2 Tim
3:8, 1 Thess
5:19
). The Spirit must have free reign in your life
to accomplish God’s purposes if you want to be eternally reconciled – the
Spirit seals (2 Cor
1:22
, 5:5, Eph
1:13
,
4:30
). Now most religious folks will consider
themselves exempt from such things due to a profession of Christ, however, they
only prove that they do not "know" God. However, notice that religion was intentionally put
in this less than comprehensive list of potential idols. Most religion in this
world is seeking God by man’s way through the flesh rather than God’s Way
through the Spirit (given by Jesus, Jn
14:7, 26,
15:26
, 16:7). Man likes to control and lead - to seek his will – even religiously (Php
2:21
). Most reading that last statement will never
understand it until you totally surrender to God and begin to know Him. The
religious mind can easily be put into bondage through doctrines, traditions,
rituals, holidays, ordinances, bylaws, images, celebrations, presumed
authorities, peer pressure, protocol and such. Jesus said: Matthew 15:8-9,
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with
their lips; but their heart is far from me.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men (also
Mk 7:7,
Col
2:21
-22).” Laying aside the commandments of God, they hold to the traditions of
men (Mk 7:8). These are an offence
unto Christ because they savourest not the things that be of God, but those that
be of men (have Satan’s nature, Mt
16:23
). Romans 10:3, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and
going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves
unto the righteousness of God.” These actually exalt themselves (their
flesh) through their own religious way. So those religious ones that are
submitted to fleshly lusts must be strongly warned: Galatians
5:24
, “And they
that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and
lusts.” No flesh will glory in God’s presence (1
Cor
1:29
). Those that mind earthly things are enemies of
the cross (Php
3:18
-19). The cross meant death to the flesh, so to mind earthly things is to
preserve the flesh and resist the cross. You can be very religious and not
“know” God at all. The Jews certainly were extremely religious (to a greater level), but didn’t “know” God, and they even
killed the prophets and God’s Son (Jn
5:42
,
7:17
, 28,
8:19
, 55). The Romish and Orthodox churches were very religious, but devastated
Europe
and
Russia
through their inquisitions and persecutions (seeking
“their” religious way using fear of God in a twisted evil way). Man
often approaches God (religiously) by what is right in his eyes (Pv 16:2, 21:2, Is
5:21
). Man exalts his opinions, sentiments, thoughts,
and emotions which are corrupted by his very nature (self centered) and displeasing to God. We must become totally God
centered through the tearing down of the flesh (this is what the Spirit will do) and surrender of our will (our
way, path). Until you die, God cannot manifest in you. There can only be one
authority governing your actions. Man does not like to relinquish such control
because “The Lie” (i.e fallen nature)
says “ye shall be as gods” and “thou shalt not surely die” (Gen
3:4-5).
The Idol of the End Times
The
author will offer only one example of idolatry to reveal that the majority of
people in the world (religious or not) are idolaters. The television set is perhaps the
greatest idol in the world today. This idol made its debut (first
appearance, introduction) only very recently in human history (end
of the age), but has become so significant that most cannot imagine life
without it. Does anyone seek deliverance from it (or even see the need)? Most plan their whole lives by it and offer
up enormous amounts of time and attention (cherish,
dedicate a foremost place in their life). This idol’s influence over the
day to day lives of its worshippers is immense (untold, vast). The flesh is filled to overflowing and the spirit is
made weak and subservient (submissive,
obedient, docile) to the flesh – the blindness is made strong. The
programming spews out the glory of the world through the wisdom of man (that
which opposes God). All the glory and glitter of the “broad way” and
every sin imaginable is portrayed in an entertaining fun filled fleshly way and
is paraded before very eager and attentive eyes and ears (Mt
7:13
). Wicked abominations and idols are portrayed upon the television screen (Ez
8:9-10) and this is what most think about in their imaginations (Ez
8:12
). Wicked abominations do not have to be vile acts, just the subtle things
that encourage you to continue to seek self; not totally submit to God (remain
in rebellion); and take away from God (dishonor,
oppose, disregard). God is to be the focus (the
center, foremost) of a believer’s life, yet the television programming
disregards (ignores, discounts, does not
acknowledge, Ps 10:4, Job
21:15
) God or presents Him in a negative or false
manner. Sin is glorified – whether subtly (difficult
to detect, devious) or blatantly (unashamedly,
deliberately, obviously, patently). To not understand; fail to see the
seriousness; or have no concern for the things being said here is to not
“KNOW” God (Jer 9:24). Many should
immediately take great heed to what Christ said: Mark 9:47-48, “And if thine
eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom
of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their
worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” You must guard your heart (1
Jn
5:18
). Jesus said if the eye be evil, then the body
will be full of darkness – and great is that darkness (Mt
6:23
). Everything you could possibly covet (wish
for, desire to obtain or possess, Lk
12:15
,
Col
3:5)
beckons and intensely appeals (allures, fascinates) to you through the magic/wizardry of
advertising (trance, spell).
Advertising is perhaps witchcraft at its best. Advertisers attempt to lure (tempt)
you into a course of action, for their selfish benefit,
that you otherwise would not take.1 Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit
speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” These have an heart
they have exercised with covetous practices (2
Pt
2:14
). Man is in complete rebellion to God and everything shown on the
television reinforces this rebellion. The programming opposes God and glorifies
sin. Most take pleasure in the very sins that nailed Christ to the cross, but
see no wrong or hypocrisy – they make a mock (parody, tease, laugh at, twist – perhaps through a sitcom) of sin
(Pv 14:9). Those who fill their hearts
with all that opposes God simply become one with it – they are joined (become
worldlings, 1 Cor
6:15
-16). For as a man thinketh in his heart so he is (Pv 23:7). Most take pleasure in wickedness and sin (through
thoughts, actions and deeds) – they love their darkness (Jn
3:19
). Jesus said that those who believe on Him will not abide in darkness –
they will freely forsake the darkness as led by His Spirit in righteousness.
Iniquity is the fruit of the wicked (Pv
10:16
). 2 Thessalonians
2:12
, “That they all might be damned who believed
not the truth (live by the truth), but had pleasure in unrighteousness (enjoyed
those things which oppose God).” There is no doubt that enjoying (being
entertained by) acts of sin AS SEEN ON TV (or anywhere else) is having “pleasure in unrighteousness.” Many
say that much of what is on television is awful, yet they still sit in front of
the tube taking it all in. James 4:8-9, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw
nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify
your hearts, ye double minded. Be
afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter (amusement and glee over worldly fleshly things) be turned to
mourning (over your love of darkness and
sin), and your joy (enjoyment and
pleasure in the flesh) to heaviness (realizing
your own wickedness).” Double mindedness is simultaneous belief in two
opposing (contradictory) things. To be
double minded is to say you love Christ, yet love the world – to be unstable
and unsettled - confusion (Js 4:8).
Confusion is the opposite of the “fear of God” (discussed
in the Conclusion) and is in a general sense, the mixture of several things
promiscuously (mingled and without order).
Confusion is a blending or confounding (i.e.
mixing God and the world, flesh – shameful blending of natures) –
indistinct combination; confusion of ideas (things
that do not go together). Confusion would be like saying, “I hate peanut
butter,” yet I eat peanut butter on everything. Confusion would be saying,
“I love Jesus,” yet I take great pleasure in things that oppose Him (things
I watch and enjoy). Psalms 97:7, “Confounded (confused,
mixed or blended in disorder, perplexed, abashed) be all they that serve
graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.” God
said that He will send such a strong delusion that they may believe a lie (2 Thess
2:11
). The lie is that they can transgress the will
of God (take pleasure in the
unrighteousness, walk in darkness) and not die – that you do not have to
take God’s Word all that seriously. The lie says that: “ye shall not surely
die” (Gen 3:4). It’s all so
innocent??? These will perish because they are deceived by unrighteousness and
receive not the love of the truth that they may be saved (2
Thess
2:10
). God’s Word is not read, meditated upon,
taken to heart, or applied. Prayers are not offered. How are you redeeming the
time in these evil days (Eph
5:16
)? Do you set wickedness before your eyes (Ps 101:3)? Do you really desire knowledge of God’s ways or to walk
therein (Job
21:14
)? If so, how are you accomplishing this? Those who profess are not
“following” Christ (1 Jn
3:18
). Jesus said walk as I walked, and do as I said (Ps 119:3, 128:1, Hos 14:9, Mt 16:24, Mk 8:34, 10:21, Lk 6:40, 46, 9:23,
Jn 14:15-17, 20-21, 23, 15:10, 1 Jn 2:3-4, 3:24, 5:2-3, Rm 8:28-29, 2 Cor 3:18,
4:10-11, Gal 3:27, Eph 4:13, 15, 1 Thess 2:12, Col 1:20, 2:6, 3:10, 1 Jn 2:6, 2
Jn 1:6, Heb 13:21). Many profess Christ, but
serve at their convenience. Perhaps you will get around to reading God’s
Word after the movie, sitcom or sports event? More than likely not, but you will
get around to it – right? God does not desire to be worked-in (allotted
time) between television programs or during a commercial break! – nor does
the Lord want to be at the end of the list of things to do in a given day. The
television has all the attention (following),
and is receiving all the glory and worship (adoration,
reverence, respect, devotion) that should be offered to God. The creature
worships the creation. This will be a great and tremendous shame to you one day
(Is 42:17). God tells those with a
false (froward) heart to depart, for
He will not know a wicked person (Ps 101:4).
A froward heart is one that is unwilling to yield or comply with what is
required – disobedient and peevish (irritable,
bad-tempered, crabby, spiteful, fretful, apt to mutter and
criticize/protest/whine, hard to please). The froward heart is perverse (wicked,
stubborn, stiff-necked, obstinate, pertinacious, headstrong, rebellious)
because of one’s reluctance and aversion (dislike,
loathing, repugnance) to turn from evil (Ps
18:26
, Pv 21:8, Ez 33:11, Js
4:17
). It is an abomination to fools to depart
from evil (Pv
13:19
). Proverbs
11:20
, “They that are of a froward heart are
abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight (also
Pv
3:32
).” There is no fear of God before their eyes (Rm
3:18
). Followers
of Christ are to cleanse themselves of all filthiness of flesh and spirit
and perfect holiness (purity of heart,
sanctity, freedom from sin) in the fear of God (2
Cor 7:1, Pv
14:16
). This will be a great burden to the froward of
heart (i.e. forsaking the television idol).
The Lord says we are to be holy as He is holy (Mt
5:48
, 1 Pt
1:15-16, 2 Pt 3:11-12). Blessed are
they that obey and seek God with a whole heart and do no iniquity, but walk
in His ways (Ps 119:1-2, Is
1:18
-20).
A person with a whole heart to seek God is one who places no restrictions on
their obedience and surrender of their will (Ps
119:10, 34). Those who sit in front of this idol day after day and profess
to love God are deluded (deceived, misled,
fooled, beguiled, duped) by the wickedness that they have filled the hearts
with. These have eyes full of adultery (desiring
the things of the world), and that cannot cease from sin (fill
their hearts with that which opposes God, 2 Pt
2:14
). Having forsaken the right way, are gone astray
to the way of the world (2 Pt
2:15
). The television is as if you are looking into the eyes of a serpent (the
devil) – it seduces and mesmerizes wonderfully. This is how the devil
overcomes man – he appeals to the desires of the flesh. Those who partake are
constantly fixated on that which is contrary to God, by
your own choice (desire).
Purposeful exposure to temptation, through lusts, leading to sin and death (Js
1:13
-15). They are totally blinded to the truth of God and their own lives (2
Cor 13:5). If a man soweth to the flesh he shall reap corruption (death,
Gal 6:8). Here is some wise advice: Romans 13:14, “But put ye on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts
thereof.” Please re-read that last statement. Those who sit in front of the
television make provision for the flesh and gloat (triumph, wallow, rejoice) in their lusts while making no provision
for Christ – the opposite. That which is in rebellion to God is always
opposite of God’s will. This is what Jesus was talking about when He said,
“they received me not” (Jn
5:43
). Those who do not retain God in their knowledge have a reprobate (degenerate,
good-for-nothing-eternal, abandoned in sin, lost to virtue or grace, impure,
rejected) mind and as such can enjoy such evil without grieving and thus
take pleasure in the wickedness (Rm
1:28
-32)
– they’ll defend it! These will call evil good and put darkness for light (Is
5:20
). In other words, they will say that the television is not bad and there
are many good things on it. They will put their love of such darkness (Jn
3:19
) before the Lord, who is the true light. The
Lord desires those with a contrite heart (Ps
34:18, 51:17, Is 57:17). A contrite heart is one that is broken hearted over
sin; and is deeply affected with grief and sorrow for offending God –
penitent. Those with contrite hearts are poor in spirit and tremble at God’s
Word (Is 66:2). In other words,
God’s Word convicts them not to do those things which oppose Him. If Jesus is
your very life, then how can you do such things that oppose Him (Gal
2:20
,
Col
3:3)?
How can you possibly laugh with the world over programming rife with iniquity
and wickedness and yet presume to have a contrite heart of grief over sin (which
necessitated Christ’s death)? – this is double-mindedness. We are
suppose to let the Word of God dwell in us richly in all wisdom (
Col
3:16
, Ps 111:10, Pv 1:7,
9:10
). How is this accomplished in front of the television set? God says we are
to put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that
created him (
Col
3:10
). What on the television contributes to this? The list of things on
television that detract from godliness (righteousness,
holiness) would be enormous and very revealing – perhaps a wise man will
make such a list and consider it. We are to mortify (put to death) our selfish desires (
Col
3:5).
To mortify is to subdue; to abase; to humble; to reduce; to restrain; as
inordinate passions (lusts, self will, transgressions, carnal and evil propensities) –
no more indulgence in wickedness. Our bodies are suppose to be the temple of the
Holy Ghost (1 Cor
12:16
). Will God’s precious Spirit enjoy the things you watch or will the
Spirit vacate? What do the scriptures say? 1 Corinthians 3:17, “If any man
defile the
temple
of
God
, him shall God destroy; for the
temple
of
God
is holy, which temple ye are.” We are told to
depart from evil (Pv 3:7,
16:17
) – how much more will the Holy Spirit depart from evil (in
adhering to God’s eternal Word)? Ephesians
4:30
, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” 2 Corinthians
6:16
, “And what agreement hath the
temple
of
God
with idols (i.e. television)? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God
hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and
they shall be my people.” Those who transgress the will of God fall under
God’s original penalty: “thou shalt surely die” (Gen
2:17
, Ez 33:14)
– these are still in rebellion and under their own authority seeking their own
will (way, path). God says we are to
teach our children of Him, but parents are allowing the television to teach
their entire family of all that opposes God (such
as covetousness, lusts, sensuality, foul language, violence, adultery, divorce,
fornication, homosexuality, occult, greed, hatred, envy, lying, materialism,
pride, course jesting, etc.). Do you wonder why your children and
grandchildren are falling prey to these very things (lives
being destroyed)? We are suppose to be: 2 Corinthians 10:5, “Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of
God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
The television compels one to do just the opposite. The programming takes the
devoted and spellbound audience’s mind captive and glorifies those
imaginations and high things that exalt themselves against God and casts down
the things of Christ. Woe to them that continue therein. Professed Christian, do
you make a mockery of Jesus through your enjoyment of all that opposes Him (2 Pt
2:20
)? Are you led of the flesh or the Spirit? Can
you say? - Psalms
18:23
, “I was also upright before him, and I kept
myself from mine iniquity.” True knowledge of God seeks and performs His will
(Ps 128:1). Some have no knowledge
because their hearts are elsewhere (Hos 4:6). Their thoughts are captive to the obedience of the world
and not Christ (Ps 119:97). 1 John
5:5, “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is
the Son of God (also Rm 12:2)?” To
be overcome by the world is to exhibit no demonstrated (practical) belief in Christ (not
actually living in obedience). Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things, are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.” Conversely, the thoughts of the wicked are an
abomination as are their ways (Pv 15:9, 26).
The television induces and nurtures wicked thoughts. The aforementioned list of
virtues can only apply to surrendering to God and performing the Lord’s will.
You cannot watch the television and yet love the Lord your God with all your
heart, mind, soul and strength. You are devoted to one or the other – The Lord
or an idol. Here is some wise advice concerning the television set: Deuteronomy
7:26
, “Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into
thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest
it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.” That which
comes between you and God is an accursed thing. Where is your fellowship?
Ephesians
5:11
, 13, “And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. But all things that are
reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is
light.” Take heed therefore (oh
religious one) that the light which is in thee be not darkness (Lk
11:35
). The author understands that this bright light
(truth) concerning television (idolatry)
hurts those eyes that are so accustom to darkness (Jn
12:35
, 40).
The author serves the Lord God Almighty and points you to Him; and will not join
the myriads of false prophets who placate (pacify,
mollify, appease) you in your wickedness and idolatry. The prophet Jeremiah
often confronted such men. For if I seek to please men then I should not be a
servant of God (Gal
1:10
). The world will surely hate those who testify
of it that the works thereof are evil (Jn
7:7). Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way (Pv
15:10
). No chastening seemeth joyous (Heb
12:11
). 1 Corinthians
11:32
, “But when we are judged, we are chastened of
the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” How
are blinded eyes ever to see if they never venture into the light (2
Cor 4:4)? How is one to come out of
Egypt
if one does not even see the need? How is one
freed from bondage if one has accepted such and become content in it? John
8:12
, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I
am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but
shall have the light of life.” Brethren, “follow” Christ and walk in His
light and come out of all darkness. For those who stubbornly cling to their
idols (such as the television) know
this: stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry (1
Sam
15:23
). Stubbornness seeks “your way” and not
God’s way and is an affront to the Lord. Many will defend and justify the
wickedness, evil, rebellion, and iniquity of the programming, but may have a
harder time defending and justifying their devotion to it. Either way, you are a
loser in the eyes of God. Most will justify and defend the things that are the
priorities in their lives (their gods).
The author exalts his God above the television idol, will you in like manner
exalt your god (television) above
mine? Ephesians 5:5-7, “For this ye know, that no whoremonger (those who seek the world, idolatry, spiritual harlotry), nor unclean
person (defiled, foul with sin, adultery
of the heart, no virtue), nor covetous man (fleshly lusts), who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in
the
kingdom
of
Christ
and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain
words (the false prophets that lead you away from God): for because of
these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience (those
submitted to the flesh and in rebellion to God). Be
not ye therefore partakers with them.” 2 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the
foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that
are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart
from iniquity.” We must depart from all evil (Ps 37:27, Pv 3:7, Rm 12:9). Let us reason together: Proverbs
8:32-36, “Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they
that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is
the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my
doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own
soul: all they that hate me love death.” Disobedience (frowardness, obstinacy) to God equates to hate which always produces
death. Hate is the opposite of love. Love is the sacrifice of self for others (Rm
5:8). Therefore, hate is the sacrifice of others for self – disobedience
so as not to incur personal loss (loss of
fleshly entertainments). The Lord would say to you: He that heareth, let him
hear; and he that forbeareth (to abstain
from, omit, or