Destroy Idols to Partake in True Worship
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 12:1-7 (NASB)
1 “These are the statutes and the judgments which you shall carefully observe in the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess as long as you live on the earth. 2 You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. 3 You shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods and obliterate their name from that place. 4 You shall not act like this toward the Lord your God. 5 But you shall seek the Lord at the place which the Lord your God will choose from all your tribes, to establish His name there for His dwelling, and there you shall come. 6 There you shall bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the contribution of your hand, your votive offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock. 7 There also you and your households shall eat before the Lord your God, and rejoice in all your undertakings in which the Lord your God has blessed you.
SUMMARY
Moses reminds the Israelites to carefully observe the laws for their entire life in the land that the Lord has given them. They are instructed to utterly destroy everything that has to do with idols and idol worship. But towards God, they are to seek Him, bring offerings, and rejoice in His blessings.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
What stood out to me was how Moses told the Israelites to violently destroy idolatry. Words like tear down, burn with fire, smash, cut down, obliterate are all used in one verse (v.3). It takes a lot of energy and discipline to do all these things in order to completely get rid of idols. But I see how God passionately wants to cut out anything that gets in the way of my relationship with Him. In contrast, verses 5-7 talk about how I am to act toward God. I am to seek Him, establish His name, dwell with Him, and bring Him many kinds of offerings. These offerings include first fruits, tithes, sacrifices, vows, freewill offerings, and contributions. This seems like a lot to do in order to worship God, but in verse 7, it shows that worship also includes rejoicing as a community and enjoying the blessings of God.
APPLICATION
First I must destroy any hindrances in order to properly worship and enjoy God. It's been hard trying to be present with God. Sometimes I get frustrated because these idols in my life were things that were important to me, and the offerings and sacrifices I made were things that cost me a lot. I see the humbleness and dependency of God when doing these things. I need to remind myself daily to put Him first in my life and give Him the best. I also need to remember to enjoy spending time with the Lord, and rejoice in the blessings He has given me. I will get myself back into proper worship by singing praise once a day and taking a few extra minutes to think about things I am thankful for.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for humbling my heart. Thank you for giving me things I don't deserve. You are such a good Father who gives the best to His children. I pray that You will continue to work in me, and help me push away anything that comes before You. Lord, I desire to give You my best and bring offerings that please You. I pray that I will give joyfully and enjoy your presence as I spend time with You. I thank you for such love and grace, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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