Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments.
Many Christians will never go deeper in the faith because of idolatry. Idolatry is a problem that is seldom addressed among Christianity. It is a very personal subject with great interest to many.
There are things in life that can be enormously captivating. Humanity has a place within that is constantly seeking to satisfy something that it does not have. This is a good thing in a sense. It is a universal vacuum where man seeks for identity and fulfillment.
This hunger is what caused Eve to touch and eat the fruit of knowledge rather than choosing simple obedience in Eden. This vacuity within man can only be truly filled by a spiritual experience. This experience starts with having an understanding of our purpose and our design mechanism.
As human beings, we are specifically designed to contain the Holy Spirit. Until this becomes a conviction, we will find many other things to bring fulfillment as surrogates for our intended purpose.
I have found by experience that there are several specific intrigues that attract our attention in an attempt to create a sense of fulfillment within the human design. There is within man an intense desire for something with a higher strength to depend on.
This might be accomplishments of our own doing. This desire is often energized by the way we view an opponent. This rivalry can be good in a sense or create a bad issue in life. It is within this realm that the intrigue of the soul can be stimulated whether in a personal way or an admiration that brings a sense of satisfaction or fulfillment.
When we esteem the ability of anyone or anything higher than the Creator, we need to take notice and not be blinded to the fact that we are entering a life of idolatry.
We must be convinced that there is none higher than Almighty God. I have found that there is a captivation and enthrallment with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit which needs to exceeds everything else. This captivation and enthrallment is often replaced with things that are earthly and are in direct competition with things that are heavenly.
The same stimulus of excitement and fulfillment is what the spiritual man finds in the Holy Spirit. These two identities are in direct competition against each other. They both want a seat in the heart of man. Paul clearly speaks about these two laws to the Romans.
The Holy Spirit is Who reveals Jesus and Almighty God to be extraordinary. The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus and the Father.
Until we become full of the Holy Spirit, we will tend to find our fulfillment in hero worship. The beginning step of being filled with the Holy Spirit is being baptized by Him. This we will receive when we seek Him with an honest, steadfast hunger.
In my studies, I have concluded that Israel’s biggest problem while living in the Promised Land was simply idolatry. The purpose of the Promised Land for Israel was to conquer and overcome the enemy known as the Canaanites.
The Canaanites were the descendants of Ham which carried with them a curse placed by Noah.
Genesis 9:25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
The curse was placed on Canaan the son of Ham, but not on Ham. The word curse here means execrate, which is: to declare to be evil or detestable and become that in nature as well.
This is very much what we are seeing in the entertainment industry in our day. The word execrate describes very well a vast majority of entertainers, whether from Hollywood, or competitive sports figures.
Far too many Christians cannot hold a conversation about the revelation of Jesus but know quite well the stats of those who are idolized. Hours are spent discussing the gods of this world with individuals, holding high and impressive admiration for them.
As long as Israel did not destroy their idols, God would not help them in many instances. Idols have always been an abomination to God. The required condition that God demands is that nothing replaces Him in His temple.
Jacob was blessed by God at Jabok. It was here that Jacob found a separation from his old life. It was after Jabok that Jacob asked Rachel to give up the hidden idol she stole from her ancestors.
Let us consider the words of Jacob after Jabok. Put away the gods that are strangers. They are not anyone we actually know. We have no relationship with them nor is there any friendship.
Is it perhaps hero worship? Put away the strange gods. Be cleansed from their pollution and be not their offspring. Change your garments and sources of identities. Worship and admire Almighty God alone with whom you can have a relationship!
Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments.
