Book of GenesisVoorbeeld

FOREIGN GODS

Foreign gods always became a trap to the people of Israel. In the Old Testament time the people of Israel lived in the midst of an environment who worshipped foreign gods and many times the Israelites tended to imitate their way of worship. The practise of foreign god worshipping was also found in Laban’s family. When Jacob ran away from Laban’s house with his two wives, Leah and Rachel and children, Rachel stole her father’s personal idols. In that time the idols were the pride of a family and the family that held it felt that they were respectful. 

When God called Jacob to move to Bethel for the second time in Genesis 35:1, Jacob announced to his household and to everyone with him to throw away all foreign gods that they had kept among them. Jacob realised that God is a jealous God and Jacob knew that his household worshipped foreign gods and kept them. True enough, they handed over to Jacob all their foreign gods on which they had been depending, along with the rings that they were wearing on their ears. Then Jacob buried them under the oak that grew near Shechem. The result of this commitment is Jacob was blessed by God. Jacob’s family experienced protection and God’s presence.

How about us? Do we still hold onto foreign gods – money, power, intelligence, technology, and other things – that we put as our hope in life more than God?  

David says “A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength." (Psalm 33:17). Let’s check our life. Do not let our lives be contaminated with the yeast of foreign gods. A little of yeast will leavened the whole dough.

Fix your eyes on Someone who is full of love and power. His name is Jesus.