Another revolutionary principle we’re introduced to here in Deuteronomy is that our God is knowable.
This was a laughable notion and literally flew in the face of everything universally understood about the spiritual world in the Biblical era.
This was the first time in history that a God had come down from heaven (metaphorically speaking that is) and made Himself known to a select group of mankind by handing down His instructions for living.
No longer would man have to wander around in the dark concerning God’s Will.
It is precisely at this point where the God of Israel differentiates Himself from the false pagan gods of the Babylon Mystery Religions…
…which leads me to my next point.
Since the God of Israel is an entirely different being than all the gods of the Babylon Mystery Religions, He fully expects us to NOT worship Him in the same manner they are worshipped.
Hence, that’s why He gave the instructions to not take a heathen altar or shrine and rededicate it to Him.
Keep in mind, this was a typical worship practice in those days.
The God of Israel was and is firmly AGAINST religious syncretism (the mixing of faiths).
Israel was absolutely NOT to mix the practice of God’s Torah with the unholy pagan ways of the Canaanites.
Instead, they were to utterly destroy all standing altars and any other place of worship in the land.
There’s a lesson here for us folks and I hope you’re catching it.
Is there anything in your life no matter how seemingly insignificant that may be displeasing to HASHEM?
Is HASHEM through that small intuitive voice in your mind telling you you’ve got to get rid of something?
If there is, you know what you’ve got to do.
Onward.
The final God-principle we talked about is that God’s Commandments in many cases have to unfortunately be placed under the category of His “Heavenly Ideals” simply because they have yet to be fully carried out.
Remember, God’s Torah are literally instructions of pure and holy perfection.
But having said that, it doesn’t mean the laws and commands cannot be followed and obeyed by us mortals.
Again, I disagree with typical Christian theology on this point.
I think it’s ludicrous to believe that God would issue a bunch of impossible-to-follow instructions to His People knowing full well they wouldn’t be able to keep it.
I mean think about it.
Is it reeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaalllly (thick sarcasm here) impossible to avoid staying away from certain foods?
Is is really impossible to not tell a lie?
Or is it reallllly impossible to not commit adultery or murder another person?
Is it really impossible to observe a 7th day Shabbat?
Is it really impossible to celebrate the Biblical Feasts?
It may be difficult at times but it’s not impossible.
No, regardless of the ideal nature of the Lord’s Commands, He created us with the capability of following and obeying them.
I think it’s dangerous to walk around with the attitude that “I can’t keep God’s commands anyway, so I’m not even going to try“.
One is just setting oneself up for failure with that kind of thinking.
Again, the problem isn’t that we can’t keep God’s commands.
The problem is that we live in a fallen world that encourages our evil inclinations to get hog wild outta control.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Submit yourselves, then, to God.
Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.”
-James 4:7
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