Do Not Envy the Wicked
Greetings in the Lord!
A couple of days ago I received a passage from Ezekiel 8. It is a chapter sharing the vision the prophet Ezekiel was shown by the Lord while he was still yet living in Babylon. The vision showed all of the idol worship that was going on in the land of Israel (Jerusalem) at the time, from the religious leaders on down to the common people--it was thoroughly corrupted with idol worship. More than that, it was the reason given for their captivity and exile to Babylon in the first place, though obviously, the people had not changed their ways even though they had gone through many hardships, foreign occupation, and exile since then. They simply didn't "get it," nor did they want to, it seemed.
As I read that passage, I noticed it mentioned specifically about the worship of "Tammuz"--a false god of "new life," vegetation, and springtime, and also the worship of the sun--the most detestable sin shown to Ezekiel in the vision. Additionally, there is mention of an idol placed in the entranceway to the altar of the Temple--most likely an idol to Asherah, the Canaanite goddess of fertility that was worshipped by gratuitous sexual immorality and self-gratification. The idol worship was taking place everywhere: in people's homes, under trees, outside the Temple and inside it as well--even by the religious leaders in inner rooms where they thought no one would see them! These leaders turned to idols because they felt God had "left them," but really it was they who had turned their backs on God.
"Have you seen this, son of man?" He asked me. "Is it nothing to the people of Judah that they commit these detestable sins, leading the whole nation into violence, thumbing their noses at Me, and provoking My anger? Therefore, I will respond in fury. I will neither pity nor spare them. And though they cry for mercy, I will not listen. Ezekiel 8:17-18.
After I read that chapter, I came across some news articles talking about the music festival "Coachella" and especially about the festive entrance and show put on by Beyoncé. It compared her routine and all of its occult symbols and costumes to an elaborate pagan parade/ritual with her being the one worshipped. How sad that we think this is "just entertainment" and give it a pass due to "artistic creativity." And how unfortunate for Beyoncé and her musical entourage that don't realize or comprehend the seriousness of their sin to themselves and the people they are leading astray? Then, to top it all off, I read that a cathedral in San Francisco is having a Mass this month to worship Beyoncé! That's just dangerous. Obviously, that is not being organized by true Christian leaders but probably pagans and occultists, and by having it in a church they are hoping to spiritually ensnare the general public and/or foolish Christians that may go just because they like her music and not realize the demonic connotations of what they are doing in that Mass. Yeesh!
Also, they are hurting more than themselves. We hear all day long about the debate going on over gun control and violence in our nation, but rarely do we realize or address the spiritual roots that have allowed violence and depravity to flourish. Very practically speaking, there are simple cause and effect relationships to blessings and curses, you know. Idolatry ushers in spirits of violence, sexual immorality, and greed, to name a few; it's as simple as that. We like to cloak that reality with some sort of deception, calling it "entertainment and artistic expression" in the US and Europe, or some "religion" in other places, but the end result is still the same--idolatry and false worship leads to bad "fruit." Prayers and submission to Jesus Christ breaks curses and brings blessings. A nation that prayerfully petitions and humbles themselves before God Almighty can be healed and restored; they will prosper even as their souls prosper. So, the takeaway message for Christians about today's word is simple--be not like the idolatrous world nor worship what they worship.
Psalm 73 is a powerful psalm that reminds Christians to not envy the wantonness of the world nor the riches and glory the wicked give themselves, nor the life of ease and comfort they appear to have. These celebrities that dance in amazing ways and sing spell-induced songs to lull and entice people to get "drunk" on worldly things are merely being used by the demons they serve. That is the reason why their shows, videos and memorabilia is full of occult symbols--they are paying homage to their master. Sounds so extreme and conservative of me to say that, I know, but it's true. So as Christians, we have to be aware of hidden envy in our hearts for these worldly idols and their enticements and steer clear. The same could be said of any type celebrity--sports, TV, movies, big business/high tech firms, YouTube and porn stars, politicians--do not worship them or make idols within those industries or adopt the worldly and godless behaviors they promote.
"But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don't have troubles like other people; they're not plagued with problems like everyone else.
They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!...They boast against the heavens, and their words strut about the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words."
"Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to Your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
Then I went into Your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, You put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors." Psalm 73:2-10, 13-19.
The psalmist ends by confirming his love of God, and more importantly, that God has not let go of his hand but will guide and deliver him as the psalmist makes God his only Shelter once again.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
A couple of days ago I received a passage from Ezekiel 8. It is a chapter sharing the vision the prophet Ezekiel was shown by the Lord while he was still yet living in Babylon. The vision showed all of the idol worship that was going on in the land of Israel (Jerusalem) at the time, from the religious leaders on down to the common people--it was thoroughly corrupted with idol worship. More than that, it was the reason given for their captivity and exile to Babylon in the first place, though obviously, the people had not changed their ways even though they had gone through many hardships, foreign occupation, and exile since then. They simply didn't "get it," nor did they want to, it seemed.
As I read that passage, I noticed it mentioned specifically about the worship of "Tammuz"--a false god of "new life," vegetation, and springtime, and also the worship of the sun--the most detestable sin shown to Ezekiel in the vision. Additionally, there is mention of an idol placed in the entranceway to the altar of the Temple--most likely an idol to Asherah, the Canaanite goddess of fertility that was worshipped by gratuitous sexual immorality and self-gratification. The idol worship was taking place everywhere: in people's homes, under trees, outside the Temple and inside it as well--even by the religious leaders in inner rooms where they thought no one would see them! These leaders turned to idols because they felt God had "left them," but really it was they who had turned their backs on God.
"Have you seen this, son of man?" He asked me. "Is it nothing to the people of Judah that they commit these detestable sins, leading the whole nation into violence, thumbing their noses at Me, and provoking My anger? Therefore, I will respond in fury. I will neither pity nor spare them. And though they cry for mercy, I will not listen. Ezekiel 8:17-18.
After I read that chapter, I came across some news articles talking about the music festival "Coachella" and especially about the festive entrance and show put on by Beyoncé. It compared her routine and all of its occult symbols and costumes to an elaborate pagan parade/ritual with her being the one worshipped. How sad that we think this is "just entertainment" and give it a pass due to "artistic creativity." And how unfortunate for Beyoncé and her musical entourage that don't realize or comprehend the seriousness of their sin to themselves and the people they are leading astray? Then, to top it all off, I read that a cathedral in San Francisco is having a Mass this month to worship Beyoncé! That's just dangerous. Obviously, that is not being organized by true Christian leaders but probably pagans and occultists, and by having it in a church they are hoping to spiritually ensnare the general public and/or foolish Christians that may go just because they like her music and not realize the demonic connotations of what they are doing in that Mass. Yeesh!
Also, they are hurting more than themselves. We hear all day long about the debate going on over gun control and violence in our nation, but rarely do we realize or address the spiritual roots that have allowed violence and depravity to flourish. Very practically speaking, there are simple cause and effect relationships to blessings and curses, you know. Idolatry ushers in spirits of violence, sexual immorality, and greed, to name a few; it's as simple as that. We like to cloak that reality with some sort of deception, calling it "entertainment and artistic expression" in the US and Europe, or some "religion" in other places, but the end result is still the same--idolatry and false worship leads to bad "fruit." Prayers and submission to Jesus Christ breaks curses and brings blessings. A nation that prayerfully petitions and humbles themselves before God Almighty can be healed and restored; they will prosper even as their souls prosper. So, the takeaway message for Christians about today's word is simple--be not like the idolatrous world nor worship what they worship.
Psalm 73 is a powerful psalm that reminds Christians to not envy the wantonness of the world nor the riches and glory the wicked give themselves, nor the life of ease and comfort they appear to have. These celebrities that dance in amazing ways and sing spell-induced songs to lull and entice people to get "drunk" on worldly things are merely being used by the demons they serve. That is the reason why their shows, videos and memorabilia is full of occult symbols--they are paying homage to their master. Sounds so extreme and conservative of me to say that, I know, but it's true. So as Christians, we have to be aware of hidden envy in our hearts for these worldly idols and their enticements and steer clear. The same could be said of any type celebrity--sports, TV, movies, big business/high tech firms, YouTube and porn stars, politicians--do not worship them or make idols within those industries or adopt the worldly and godless behaviors they promote.
"But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don't have troubles like other people; they're not plagued with problems like everyone else.
They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!...They boast against the heavens, and their words strut about the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words."
"Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to Your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
Then I went into Your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, You put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors." Psalm 73:2-10, 13-19.
The psalmist ends by confirming his love of God, and more importantly, that God has not let go of his hand but will guide and deliver him as the psalmist makes God his only Shelter once again.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
Comments