Scripture Nugget 5.29.2017

Scripture Read Exodus 33-36

Nugget Exodus 34:11-16

“Observe what I command you today. See, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Take care not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you are going, or it will become a snare among you. You shall tear down their altars, break their pillars, and cut down their sacred poles for you shall worship no other god, because the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God). You shall not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to their gods, someone among them will invite you, and you will eat of the sacrifice. And you will take wives from among their daughters for your sons, and their daughters who prostitute themselves to their gods will make your sons also prostitute themselves to their gods.”

Devotional Thought: Holiness is defined by God. God makes the rules. God prepared a way for the Israelites to journey, free of those who would tempt them. God gave warning, God gave clear commands. Do not covenant with them; tear down, destroy all their places of worship of false gods. Don’t live with them or they will defile you. Holiness is not defined by liberals or conservatives, holiness is defined by God and who we are – how we live either does or does n not display holiness. Attempting to change God’s definitions, may make us feel better in the short-run but we cannot change God’s definition of Holiness. Maybe we ought to pay attention – that’s why he started with “Observe”.