The previous chapter ended with God declaring He would make the land desolate because of Israel's unfaithfulness. This chapter now describes this unfaithfulness is lurid detail. In fact I don't think I have heard this chapter read in church, and we would think that some of it should have at least a 15 rating.
Why does God describe things in such graphic and, in our eyes, shocking a way? The truth is that we do not appreciate how terrible unfaithfulness and idolatry is. We treat these things as someone just making a choice, someone just making an intellectual decision. We say that everyone has to make their own mind up. Now this is true, but what we decide is crucial. Moreover, our trust, our faith, is the most intimate part of our being, and what and to whom we give that most vital part of us to is profoundly important.
In our society sex is treated as cheap, just a physical act. But everyone knows it is much more than that. If you have sex with someone, like it or not, you are giving and receiving much more than a physical act. That is why sex should be only within marriage, and it is why adultery and sexual promiscuity are so destructive and cause such emotional pain.
Faith is the same. Just as sex should be precious, and only given to one person, so our deepest faith is precious and should be given only to the Lord. When we put our trust in someone or something we are committing or entrusting ourselves to that person or thing. The Lord is the only one we should entrust our entire lives to.
On a more positive note, it is why when we put our trust in God He responds in such a wonderful way. Faith is the only way that we can really communicate with God. It is why Jesus always responded so positively when people demonstrated faith in Him.
Why does God describe things in such graphic and, in our eyes, shocking a way? The truth is that we do not appreciate how terrible unfaithfulness and idolatry is. We treat these things as someone just making a choice, someone just making an intellectual decision. We say that everyone has to make their own mind up. Now this is true, but what we decide is crucial. Moreover, our trust, our faith, is the most intimate part of our being, and what and to whom we give that most vital part of us to is profoundly important.
In our society sex is treated as cheap, just a physical act. But everyone knows it is much more than that. If you have sex with someone, like it or not, you are giving and receiving much more than a physical act. That is why sex should be only within marriage, and it is why adultery and sexual promiscuity are so destructive and cause such emotional pain.
Faith is the same. Just as sex should be precious, and only given to one person, so our deepest faith is precious and should be given only to the Lord. When we put our trust in someone or something we are committing or entrusting ourselves to that person or thing. The Lord is the only one we should entrust our entire lives to.
On a more positive note, it is why when we put our trust in God He responds in such a wonderful way. Faith is the only way that we can really communicate with God. It is why Jesus always responded so positively when people demonstrated faith in Him.
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