Divided Heart
God knows how easily our hearts can be tempted to turn away so He continually reminds us to be faithful to Him.
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites and say to them: ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: Any Israelite who sacrifices an ox, a lamb or a goat in the camp or outside of it instead of bringing it to the entrance to the tent of meeting to present it as an offering to the Lord...that personal shall be considered guilty...This is so the Israelites will bring to the Lord the sacrifices they are now making in the open fields...They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols to whom they prostitute themselves."
Leviticus 17:2-5, 7
We live in a very different culture than the people did in ancient times. How many of us have to sacrifice animals or could imagine having to do what is described above? More than the actual offering, God warns the people to be careful of the impact that idols can having on a person's heart. He says they prostituted which is another way of saying they sold themselves for money.
While the activities might be different that we do each day, are we really all that different? Why did the ancient people sacrifice outside of the temple? Because they didn't trust God and were tempted to try other things. We live a world full of temptation and desire. Do we ever compromise our covenant relationship with God to get something that we want? Do you trust God with all things?
“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story...Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High. Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy."
Psalms 107:2-3, 8-11, 17, 22, 25, 29
David knows failure and rebellion. He knows times where he trusted in his own understanding and pursued his own desires. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and killed her husband. He knows how easy it is to pursue selfish desires over the divine. He knows the angst and pain of sinning against God and that it was most often his own choices that got him to that place of pain.
David also knows what pleases God. He has found out through the times of failures and faithfulness. He has felt God's mercy and knows the greatest offering he can bring is an offering of thanksgiving through a sacrificed, surrendered heart. How will you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving for God's faithfulness today?
“For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel, At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.”
Proverbs 5:3, 5, 7-9, 11, 15, 21-23
Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. If anyone knew adultery, it was Solomon. For a man known to have wisdom, he sure made a lot of bad choices. What advice does he give to his sons and the community who receives his teachings? He says it's not worth it. Do not commit the same sins. Solomon has tasted death and knows the groans of infidelity.
What advice does he give? Drink water from your own cistern and give thanks to the God who gave you what you have. Stay faithful and true in your relationships with God and each other. The deeper lesson is one about the state of our hearts. Are we coveting what we do not have or content with the blessings we have received? Is there anything in your heart that you are coveting today? Is that from God?
“Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land.”
Jeremiah 41:2
Why would Ishmael kill Gedaliah? Gedaliah was a good and faithful ruler. Why kill him? It all came down to coveting. Ishmael wanted what Gedaliah had and was willing to sacrifice his own soul to get what he wanted. What was the result? What goes around, comes around. There is always a consequence for our sins. Ishmael loses what he had taken and has nothing to show for his betrayal.
As Solomon said, the path of adultery leads to death. When he says this, he means so much more than physical adultery. He is describing any heart that separates itself from God in pursuit of the sin of coveting something else. He is speaking against the unfaithful, adulterous heart. One that is more prevalent than not in a world of temptation.
“About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited"
Acts 19:23-27, 29
Paul preaches the good news that all people can have peace with God through the Messiah Jesus Christ. He preaches to people all over the region and miracles happened all over the place. It was said that even handkerchiefs that touched him brought healing to the sick or lame.
Yet, even in the midst of overwhelming evidence of the truth of Paul's preaching, there were people who were more worried about money than the Messiah. Demetrius never once mentioned whether what Paul said was true, he simply thought about how it would impact his pocketbook. You could say Demetrius was faithful to the wrong things.
What do we learn from all these stories today? What is the connection? God is a God who is faithful and He calls us to be keep our hearts faithful to Him. He knows we will face tests and temptations that seek to turn our hearts, but He knows the harm that getting what we might desire can do to our souls. There is a consequence to adultery both physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational. Jesus paid the price that we would be free from the consequences of sin on the day of judgment, but not free to choose to go on sinning. We are set free to be faithful to the one who freed us. Examine your heart and ask God to reveal anything that is not from Him. Are there any areas where you are offering sacrifices in open fields like the ancient Israelites where He is calling you to faithful obedience to only sacrifice thanksgiving to Him?