Feb. 27, 2021
Hearts Far From God
The Lord had protected the Israelites as they journeyed along the edge of Moab east of the Jordan River (Numbers 22-24). But, as the Israelites encountered the Midianites, God’s people joined in their religious practices. These practices included both the worship of false gods and sexual immorality. Rather than introducing the Midianites to God, God’s people became like them.
This apostasy echoes the golden calf incident in Exodus 32 and the people’s rebellion in Numbers 14. In every case, a priest has intervened to divert the wrath of the Lord against their wickedness and tone for the sins of Israel.
The Lord ordered Moses and Eleazar to take a second census of His people; Numbers 1:1-44 recorded the first one. The second census revealed the number of God’s people remained almost the same. The point of this census is that the older generations had died in the wilderness as God’s judgment for their unbelief (Numbers 13-14). The Lord continued His redemptive work among His people.
“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” -Mark 7:6b-7
The religious leaders asked Jesus why His disciples did not observe their tradition of ceremonial washings. Jesus told the leaders their question actually betrayed their own hypocrisy. They placed their human traditions above God’s commands.
One example Jesus gives of their hypocrisy is a tradition called “Corban” (Hebrew for “dedicated to God”). In this practice, the Pharisees encouraged people to break the commandment to honor their father and mother (Exodus 20:12). Instead of supporting their parents, people were encouraged to finance the temple system. This seemingly religious devotion actually undermined the heart of God’s law to care for those in need.
The Pharisees devoted their lives to observing detailed rituals rather than to loving God through His Word.
Make it Personal
- The Bible warns Christians against partnering too closely with unbelievers on significant matters (2 Corinthians 6:14). How could such a practice hinder our walk with God?
- Are there traditions in your life that take precedence over the commands in God’s Word?