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Why don't we learn?

Writer's picture: Dr. Dan HaifleyDr. Dan Haifley

Updated: Nov 3, 2020

"And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years." Judges 6:1


Reading through the book of Judges in my personal devotions again I am struck with the ups and downs of the Jewish people in the Old Testament. They know exactly what God expects of them. They know that if they do certain things that their lives will prosper and they will have peace. Contrary to popular opinion about the Old Testament times, they had lots of room to make mistakes. Many of them did things that would have brought censure in the church, but they seemed to continue with a relationship with God anyway. We are told in the Psalms that God remembered they were just flesh and turned His anger away from them many times.


Their biggest problem (and the one that continually brought them judgment from God) was their desire to fit in with the heathen culture around them. They embraced every pagan practice including giving idolatry a significant place in their homes. They were warned not to put markings on their bodies for the dead. They were warned not to put idols in their house. But every time a pagan festival seemed like fun they incorporated it into their routine and completely ignored the warnings. The editor of my Archeology Bible says this: "Despite all they had been told to the contrary, many Israelites believed that they could embrace these myths and the gods and goddesses behind them and yet remain faithful to their God, Yahweh, and His covenant."


As I look around Christendom, I am amazed to see the cavalier attitude that we have towards the myths and idolatries of our culture. Halloween, a dark and evil celebration, is completely embraced and celebrated in church parking lots and parties. Easter, our celebration of the resurrection of Christ, is mixed with pagan fertility Gods, rabbits, and eggs....And don't get me started on Christmas.


Why is not important to turn from idols? Will God deliver us from our tormentors when we refuse to break from pagan practices? Just wondering.



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