"All Israel will hear and be afraid, and they will no longer do anything evil like this among you."
Deuteronomy 13:11
God wants His People to fear His Wrath. If they turn away from Him and worship false idols or allow false prophets to turn them to other gods, He calls His people to root the problem out and destroy it completely, even if one's own family is involved. This means killing all the people involved, even if it means destroying a whole city and its livestock. God takes the first and second Commandments seriously.
How does this idea fit into modern American society, though? Are we to strike down unbelievers around us and burn all of their possessions? If so, I would have been put to the sword over a decade ago.
This is another case of a command issued to a certain people in a certain time. It has no place with us here. But that doesn't mean we can't learn from it. Ultimately, what is God asking for here? Why does He want His people to fear Him? Because He knows that human nature is to take what we're given and never give back. He has given His children everything they could possibly want, and He wants their love in return.
Question of the Day:
How angry do you get when you lavish love and gifts upon someone and they don't return the gesture? How vindictive do you feel when you see that person running off towards someone else who never gave them anything at all? How do you think God feels when you walk away from Him towards all the sinful desires that you have, after all He has given you?
Prayer of the Day:
Lord, I know that I have caused You grief and pain, and I'm sorry. Please take me back, and jealously hold me back from the worldly forces that tempt me away from You. Amen.
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