Hi
,
Last week, we looked briefly at the lifelessness and worthlessness of idols. This week, I wanted to take it a brief step further. In 2 Kings 17, we read that the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into captivity because of their sin.
Various people groups were brought in to take their place and live in the land. However, problems that developed resulted in the king sending one of the Israelite priests back to the land to instruct these people in the law of God. However, each people group had other ideas! Here is what the passage says...
"But every nation still made gods of its own and put them in the houses of the high places which the people of Samaria had made, every nation in their cities in which they lived. The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth
made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima, and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech the gods of Sepharvaim….. They feared the LORD and served their own gods according to the custom of the nations from among whom they had been carried away into exile. To this day they do according to the earlier customs: they do not fear the LORD, nor do they follow their statutes
or their ordinances or the law, or the commandments which the LORD commanded….. They did not listen, but they did according to their earlier custom. So while these nations feared the LORD, they also served their idols; their children likewise and their grandchildren, as their fathers did, so they do to this day." (2 Kings 17: 29-34;
40-41)
This is a classic but stark series of statements! They illustrate at least three things about people:
1. Everyone believes something! Whatever it's based on, all humans believe something about life and the hereafter. And they hope that that something is right, because it needs to see them safely to whatever is beyond death!
2. Humans tend to believe something that is comfortable or familiar to them, whether it's by tradition or simply a short-circuit to convenience or pleasure.
3. Many people will try to keep irons in many fires - just in case!
The devil will always have a counterfeit belief system available that provides a man with a way that "seems right to him"! But, though there are many counterfeits, many "keys", there is only one ultimate truth! There is only one true key to life - Jesus Christ! Period! There is no other!
