Old movies and tv shows used to portray primitive cultures that sacrificed people to their volcano god. The Simpsons did an episode like that. And I guess the King Kong movie was similar except that instead of a volcano they would sacrifice to a giant ape to appease their god.
How did these people know how to please their god? Was it trial and error? And who first thought of the idea to throw someone in the volcano? “Hey, maybe the crops will be plentiful if we toss Betsy over that fiery cliff!” It’s actually not far-fetched. People will do crazy things if they think “the universe” will reward them.
As Christians, we are very fortunate to have a God, the only true God and Creator of everything, who told us exactly what He expects of us. He even had people write it down for us.
Yet we still disobeyed!
The ancient Israelites were noted to have, at times, ignored God’s less deadly commands and instead sacrifice their children “in the fire” to the foreign god Molech.
What’s up with all the sacrificing? God doesn’t ask for this. He hates it, in fact. I’m very glad of that.
Today’s verse is a reminder that all I need to do to obey God is ask Him for instruction and listen to His answers. I should not come up with my own ideas and use trial and error. I should not do what feels right or feels sacrificial just because it feels sacrificial. God loves me and He makes His will plain. It starts with love. Always.
Dear God,
Thank you so much for your word, the Bible. Thank you that I can read it anytime I want in almost any language. What a gift! Thank you that I don’t have to guess and I don’t have to sacrifice any children to a volcano or a giant ape. Please guide me back to your beautiful, loving path when I have gone astray.
CamDevo 