“…then, after many calamities and troubles have come upon them, this song will testify before them as a witness, because their descendants will still be reciting it and will not have forgotten it. For I know how they think even now, even before I have brought them into the land about which I swore.”-Deuteronomy 31:21
In my last post I talked about the dangers of prosperity and how it can lead us straight into idolatrous hell.
The modern church (at least in the United States) has already fallen in this area by adopting what we now call “Prosperity Theology” which teaches that earthly prosperity is a true reflection of our spiritual success and strong relationship with the Lord.
Interestingly, the churches in Europe (what little churches still remain there) take the total opposite approach.
People who flaunt their wealth or boast about their financial achievements are viewed with both suspicion and disdain in the European church.
In fact, a lot of churches in Europe are quite poor and their buildings are in dire need of repair.
My take on all of this is that both extremes are not good.
There’s nothing wrong with money and prosperity but they have to be kept in their proper context.
God tells Israel that over time, they are going to take their prosperity out of its proper context and give credit to other false gods for all the blessings they have received.
They are going to forget that the only existing source of any kind of prosperity for Israel whether it be spiritual or material in nature is the Lord.
Unfortunately, we’re told Israel is going to forget this rudimentary principle and the results of this thinking will be the beginning of the end for them.
It will be the Song of Moses that will serve as a witness towards both Heaven and Earth and all future generations that when major disasters begin to strike Israel, it will NOT be because the Lord was unfaithful to them.
It will be because Israel abandoned their God for other gods.
In fact, that’s exactly what verse 21 tells us (posted above).
The Lord God who can see into the hearts of men informs the people that even now before they have stepped into the Promised Land, the negative seeds that will lead to rebellion have already taken root within their hearts.
And the source of these seeds of rebellion will have nothing to do with what they have or haven’t been taught.
The result of their rebellion will be because of the YETSER HARAH (evil inclination) that the Israelites will allow to get hog wild out of control.
I really want you to hear me on this point!
The Lord is telling Israel that when disaster overtakes them, they are to be confident in the fact that it is because they rebelled against Him.
All of the terrors they are facing are of divine origin.
God is telling Israel in advance that fate is just as much a false god as all the false gods of the ancient world.
In fact, in Hebrew, there is no word for “coincidence”.
Because in God’s economy, it doesn’t exist.
In fact, if you think about it, to believe in fate is a form of idolatry.
Because when you say your lot in life is due to fate, you’re making the implication that God is not in total control.
You’re saying there’s some other outside force out there more powerful than the Lord who will determine your future destiny.
In these final verses of Deuteronomy chapter 31, this is exactly what Israel is being warned against!
The Lord is saying if Israel ever adopts the idea that what is happening to them is due to fate or serendipity, they have committed apostasy.
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