The Cult of Baal

The Old Testament often speaks of Baal. I don't know about you, but I never understood exactly what that meant. Baal's obviously a false god, but why did Israel to turn from the LORD to "Baal"? A sermon I heard over the summer shed some light on that question.

In Numbers 22, the kings of Mideon and Moab consulted Balaam for divination. After conversing with the LORD, Balaam could not curse the Israelites as the kings wanted him to. When he opened his mouth to curse Israel, he spoke a blessing on them. This didn't go over too well with the kings, so Balaam lost his job. But Numbers 31:15-16 suggests that Balaam devised another method of corrupting God's people...

(Numbers 25) "The men of Israel began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices of their gods. ...And the LORD's anger burned against them."

What happens when good is mixed with evil? Corruption. This compromise displeased the LORD and led to His righteous judgment. He called His people to be holy: "other." Israel was to be different than her neighbors...set apart for the LORD.

Most Christians today are surrounded by the world: unlike the Israelites, we don't all physically live together and avoid contact with our idolatrous neighbors. Rather, we find ourselves surrounded by a culture that is permeated with subtly enticing forms of idolatry, such as materialism. This problem may seem slight, but the LORD is a jealous God. We should take seriously what He said to Israel: "I will pronounce my judgments on my people because of their wickedness in foresaking me...and in worshiping what their hands have made." (Jeremiah 1:16)

As believers, we are to be holy as He is holy. I know that my heart - and I suspect yours too - is prone to wander from the Father. But it is in Him, and only in Him, that we have any hope of change. After all, God is in the business of changing hearts.

The point is: God wants us to be different. Avoid compromise and its resulting corruption; then, like a city on a hill, your light will shine brightly.

Peace out, y'all.

~Lib-B

Song of the day: "May Your Wonders Never Cease" - Third Day