January 17- Destroying Idols

January 17, 2011

All idols made by man, however terrifying they may be, are in point of fact subordinate to him, and that is why he will always have it in his power to destroy them. 

~Simone de Beauvoir

Scripture Readings:
Genesis 35:1-36:43

If you Google the word "idol," about four entries down you will get news for what is happening with American Idol.  These days we tend to think that idols are just potential music stars on television.  But throughout the history of mankind, idols have been a way to worship the product of man's own making.  They have been a way to deny the One True God's power and authority over the earth.

Like Lot before him, we see Jacob has tolerated the evil of his family worshiping idols.  Rachel hid her father's family idol in her camel sack when they were first leaving her home. Jacob did not stop this practice. Today we see that after wrestling with God and seeing the pre-incarnate Christ face to face, Jacob, who is now named Israel, is a changed man. Jacob is ready to get rid of the idols.

His faith is seen through his actions as follows:

• He insists that all idols in his household be destroyed and he buries them under a tree- Vs.2, 4
• He requires everyone to put on clean clothes -  Vs. 2
• He builds an altar to sacrifice to God - Vs. 7
• He worships the Lord with his family- Vs. 3, 14

God meets with Jacob, once again emphasizing that Jacob's name shall now be Israel.  Then God gives Jacob a pronouncement, a primacy, and a promise:

• I am God Almighty - Vs. 11
• You must multiply and fill the earth and become many nations- Vs.11
• There will be a king among your descendants - Vs. 11
• You and yours will get the land (Promised Land) I promised to Abraham and Isaac- Vs. 12

Rachel dies in childbirth on the journey to Bethlehem.  Her last son is named Benjamin. This completes the children born to Israel. The twelve tribes of Israel come from Jacob. Isaac, his father, lives to be 180 years old. Jacob and Esau bury him in Hebron.

The Bible then gives us a detailed account of Esau's descendants. Why? Because in God's story Esau's descendants play a role until the very end of the story. They are the counterpoint to Israel's children. While Jacob's descendants represent a life of faith, Esau's descendants, also known as Edomites, represent rebellion against God.

What idols are you clinging to in order to fill a void in your life?  What idols need to be destroyed in your life? How can you set up a pillar of worship to acknowledge God?


Matthew 12:1-21

The Old Testament Law had become an idol to the religious leaders of the nation of Israel in Jesus' day.  Today we see Jesus begin to tear down the idol of the Law.
Here is how he begins:

• He and his disciples pick grain in a field to eat on the Sabbath- Vs. 1

• He heals a man in the synagogue on the Sabbath- Vs. 9-14

Jesus admonishes the Pharisees to understand the Old Testament Scriptures that said God desires mercy, not a sacrifice- Hosea 6:6.  Declaring his deity, Jesus says that he is the Master of the Sabbath.  Here we see that Jesus is indeed our Sabbath rest!

Matthew concludes this passage by pointing out that Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah 42:1-4, which states:

“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.

    He is my Beloved, who pleases me.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

    and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

¹⁹ 

He will not fight or shout

    or raise his voice in public.

²⁰ 

He will not crush the weakest reed

    or put out a flickering candle.

    Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.

²¹ 

And his name will be the hope

    of all the world.”

Are you trying to live your life by rules and regulations to please God?  Think of ways that you can experience Jesus' Sabbath rest in your life.  How can you show mercy to someone this week?


Psalm 15:15

David asks in this psalm, who can enter God's presence to worship Him?  Here are the answers given:

• Those who lead a blameless life
• Those who don't slander others
• Those who despise sinners
• Those who don't accept bribes or charge interest

In other words, no one can do any of this perfectly so we are all out of luck. Thankfully, we know the whole story.  Jesus is the only one capable of this lifestyle.  We rely on his sacrificial death and resurrection to allow us to come before God's presence boldly.

Proverbs 3:21-26

Be a good planner.  It makes life easier.

What did you notice today?  I want to hear from you.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton