Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2021
Saturday, August 7, 2021
We are not ignorant of Satan's designs (2 Cor. 2:11).
Satan takes advantage of natural desires. It is normal for us to want to provide for ourselves and our family. And we want to get the necessary preparation for it (1 Tim. 5: 8). How do we do it? As a general rule, going to school and being good students. But we must be careful. In many countries, the educational system not only teaches students useful things for their life, but also human philosophies. They are encouraged to question the existence of God and to despise the Bible. They are told that the theory of evolution is the only intelligent explanation for the origin of life (Rom. 1: 21-23). These ideas are against "the wisdom of God" (1 Cor. 1: 19-21; 3: 18-20). May it be our resolve never to allow ourselves to be caught "by philosophy and vain deception" of Satan's world (Col. 2: 8). Let us protect ourselves unceasingly from their tactics (1 Cor. 3:18). Let us never allow him to make us forget who Jehovah is and how he wants us to serve him. Let us obey their high moral standards. And let's not let the Devil get us to ignore divine advice. w19.06 23:13-17
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.
According to Hosea 2:16, 17, how did Satan obscure Jehovah's identity?
Satan used a third tactic: He obscured Jehovah's identity. In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, Jehovah pointed out that false prophets caused the Israelites to forget their name because of Baal (Jer. 23:27). Apparently, the Israelites stopped using God's name and replaced it with Baal, which means "owner" or "master." In this way, the difference between Jehovah and Baal was blurred from the minds of God's servants, making it easier for them to mix Baal worship rites with Jehovah worship. --Read Hosea 2:16, 17 and footnote.
All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2020 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.
Comments
Post a Comment