"Thus they changed their glory Into the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt, (Psalms 106:20-21)

It amazes me how often God revealed himself to Israel with mighty deeds.  It is frightening to read of how they rejected him.  The verses above remind us of the sin at Horeb (Exodus 32:1-10) when they made a golden calf.  Their sin was four-fold.

First, Israel disobeyed God’s command.  Israel was indebted to God for his delivering them from Egypt.  They had already pledged their allegiance to him.  Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, "All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient." And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, "This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words." (Exodus 24:7-8)  They were instructed to wait until they received a word from the Lord, but instead they acted without direction.  Such disobedience is often due to impatience with God.  (Exodus 32:1)

Second, Israel did not believe God.  Israel failed to trust God.  God had provided abundant evidence by his mighty deeds in Egypt.  However, Israel put their trust in an idolatrous image and rejected the one who was truly God, the Savior!

Third, the Israelites followed after their own devices.  This is a common pattern of mankind.  First, he rejects Jehovah.  Next, he fashions a god in his own likeness.  Finally, he follows the whims of his own heart.  They did what they wanted rather than what God approved.  This love of self is the root of all false religion.  The triumph over self-will is the objective of God fearing people.

Fourth, Israel dishonored God.  The command of God was plain.  "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; (Exodus 20:4)  The carnal mind walks by sight and not by faith.  Thus they changed their glory Into the image of an ox that eats grass. (Psalms 106:20)  And, they worshiped the image rather than God.  

Like Israel, many in modern times do not rightly value the power of Jehovah God.  Thus, they exchange him for a material god who serves their own worldly self-indulgence.  The result is tragic. 

BY George Slover 
 

"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, (1 Peter 1:15)

The call to holiness is among the many admonitions found in this letter.  God calls upon these pilgrims to live holy lives.  To be chosen by God (1:2) involves great privileges and awesome responsibilities.

The word “holy” means to be different from ordinary things or to be set apart. The Christian is to be set apart in all his living.  In all that he does he is to be a reflection of God’s purity. (2:9) He no longer lives according to his “former lusts”, but by the will of God.  This duty is permeates every relationship from family, to job, to church.  He is determined to no longer live according his former lusts, but by the will of God.

Why is the Christian called to live such a holy life?  The answer is in verse 16: because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16)  Note: God says be holy!  Why?  Because God says “I am holy”!  The Christian is commanded to walk away from his former ways and act like God!

This concept of holy living also has its roots in the Old Testament.  'For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.  (Leviticus 11:44)  Again we find the reason for which God called Israel to holiness; because He is holy.  This same command is repeated numerous times in Leviticus.  They are to be holy because Jehovah God is holy!

Our association with God should be the compelling reason for our holiness.  Most of us feel pressured by Christian friends or a fear of punishment to live sanctified lives, but we should want to holy, because God who called us to be his child is worthy.  Should we not love our holy God enough to bear his image?  It is a lofty calling!

By George Slover
 

Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:16) One of man’s greatest needs is the wisdom that comes from God.  There seems to be a yearning in the hearts of all human beings for something better than what is offered in this fleshly world.  Unfortunately, man seems to look in all of the wrong places, and Satan is willing to fill the void. Such was true in the days of Jeremiah.  The people looked for answers and false prophets were willing to peddle their wares.  Their foolish counsel gave the people a false sense of security.  There are two characteristics of these false teachers that parallel those of the 21stCentury: 1) they received their counsel from the wrong source, and 2) they offered a false hope. Jeremiah says: They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD.  Their teachings came from private speculations and personal intuition.  Such subjective counsel is attractive to the masses.  In 2023 it is popular to be “spiritual”.  However, “spiritual” is loosely defined as whatever pleases the individual.  The modern “come as you are”, “live as you please” religion focuses on what pleases man rather than God.  It we intend to truly be spiritual we must acknowledge the commandments of the Lord. (I Corinthians 14:37)   Jeremiah then added:  They continually say to those who despise Me, 'The LORD has said, "You shall have peace"'.  (Jeremiah 23:17)  Modern religions are designed to make one feel good about themselves. The counsel that comes from God offers peace only to those who painfully acknowledge their faults.  Truth can be painful, but beneficial. Thus, we must “test the spirits” (I John 3:1), For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD, And has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word and heard it? (Jeremiah 23:18) By George Slover

"Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it. (Ezekiel 14:22)

Imagine looking in the “want ads” of your local newspaper in the “help wanted” section and finding an opening that read: “needed, a prophet, a watchman sent to the exiles of Judah.”  In this job description you are told that your audience will be a rebellious people who will liken your sermons to a lovely song, but will refuse to apply the message.  Your mission will include predictions of a heathen nation that will totally destroy the cities, temple, and homes of these prideful Jews.  Many of them would be exiled to a faraway land.  Would you take the job?

These prophecies of doom and gloom would have been discouraging.  Ezekiel surely must have contemplated the futility of preaching to those who would not listen.  The faithful ones would have been frightened with the prospect of losing their homes and shrines of religious tradition.  It would have been a dark picture indeed. Therefore, God gave them a glimpse of the future and, revealed to them his purpose.  This incite would bring them consolation.

There would be the consolation of knowing God is just.  Abraham appealed to the justice of God:  "Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25)  There is consolation in knowing that God has a righteous object in all of his actions, and that “good” will triumph over evil.  A God-fearing remnant will be spared, and the wicked will be ultimately punished.

There is consolation in knowing that God is merciful.  The ultimate effect of the coming judgment would be to purge Israel of evil.  A child cannot always see the end results of the lessons taught by the parents, but hopefully in time of maturity they will look back with appreciation for the special character they have developed.  Hopefully, the disciplines of life will make us into a special people – God’s people!

Let us be assured that God is just in all of his designs and deeds.  If his ways seem hidden, wait patiently for one day we will see it has all been good.

BY George Slover
 

where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. (Colossians 3:11)

There must have been quite a “melting pot” of disciples in the church at Colosse.  Among those named were Greeks, Jews, circumcised, uncircumcised, Scythian, slave, and free.  Just who are these people?  What is the essence of the message in this text?

The various classes of people named in the text represent the various, national, ritualistic, cultural, and social classes found in this ancient church.  Each of these classes marked sharp distinctions among them.  But in Christ all such divisions are obliterated.  Thus, those of Abraham’s seed could not boast of superiority over the Greeks.  There was no advantage for the Gentile to conform to Judaism in the ritual of circumcision.  The gospel lifts both the barbarian and the Scythian (considered to be a worse type of barbarian) into the dignity of Christian fellowship.  Christ has placed both the bondman and free on the same level.  Christ is all and in all!

Christ gave them a common access to God.  In fact he is the only way to God.  He is the common redeemer and intercessor.  There is no need for additional grace or supplement of the law.

Christ gave them common requirements.  Their entire focus was to be on imitating Him and being His disciple.  Christ was to be the whole of their lives, ruling every facet from their homes, to school, to the market place.

Christ gave them a common motive.  The operative word is love marked by a spirit of gentleness, forbearance, and meekness.  It is manifested by a humble and forgiving disposition.  There was no room for self-pride that promoted the social distinctions of the day.

The message of Paul to the Colossians must reach our hearts today.  We must remember who we are- God’s children.  Remember how we arrived at such a status – by God’s grace.  And remember to treat our fellow Christians in the same way God treated us – with mercy.  It may be challenging, but it must be done for the cause of Christ.

By George Slover