Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2021
Tuesday June 8, 2021
Stand firm against the devil's machinations (Eph. 6:11).
The neighboring nations of Israel believed that certain rites were necessary for the gods to give them much-needed rain. Satan led the Israelites to believe that their life and prosperity depended on their adopting these pagan customs. Those without faith in Jehovah believed that this was the only way to avoid long droughts, so they performed pagan rites in honor of Baal. Satan also appealed to carnal desires.
The religious rites of the pagan nations included disgusting immoral acts, among them the prostitution of women and men in the temples. Those nations not only tolerated homosexuality and other forms of sexual immorality, but considered them normal (Deut. 23:17, 18; 1 Kings 14:24). They believed that all this served for the gods to make the land fertile. Many Israelites were attracted to these immoral pagan rites and began to serve false gods. w19.06 2 par. 3; 4 paras. 7, 8
How was the faith of the Israelites tested when they entered the Promised Land?
The first thing Satan did was take advantage of the normal desire for it to rain and water the fields. In the Promised Land, it rained very little from late April to September.
Good harvests depended on the rains that used to start around October. The neighboring nations of Israel believed that certain rites were necessary for the gods to give them much-needed rain. Satan led the Israelites to believe that their life and prosperity depended on their adopting these pagan customs. Those who did not have faith in Jehovah believed that this was the only way to avoid long droughts, so they performed pagan rites in honor of Baal.
What second tactic did Satan use? Explain how you used it.
Satan also appealed to the carnal desires of the Israelites. The religious rites of the pagan nations included disgusting immoral acts, among them the prostitution of women and men in the temples. Those nations not only tolerated homosexuality and other forms of sexual immorality, but considered them normal (Deut. 23:17, 18; 1 Kings 14:24). They believed that all this served for the gods to make the land fertile. Many Israelites were attracted to these immoral pagan rites and began to serve false gods. In reality, they let Satan catch them.
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