Lessons From Israel’s
Departure From God
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December 30, 1880 Israel Depart From God.
By Mrs. E. G.
White.
While Balak and his counselors
were plotting to entice God's people into sin and thus secure their overthrow,
the Israelites, all unconscious of their danger, were enjoying ease and quiet
in their tents among the acacia groves in the vale of
Shittim. They had little to occupy their minds or
their time, and they felt little anxiety for the future. They had prevailed
against the warlike inhabitants of the surrounding country, and they felt that
they had only to cross the Jordan and the goodly land would be all their own.
Their condition of ease and inactivity was unfavorable
to moral and physical vigor, as well as to purity of
thought and life, while a knowledge of the licentious
character of the surrounding nations had to some extent familiarized their minds
with thoughts of vice and lessened their abhorrence of crime. {ST, December
30, 1880 par. 1}
At
this time, Midianitish women were seen stealing into
the camp, singly and in little companies. Their appearance excited no alarm,
and so quietly were their plans conducted, that the attention of Moses was not
called to the matter. It was the object of these women in their association
with the Hebrews to first draw their attention from the God of Israel to
heathen traditions, rites, and customs, and then to allure them into
transgression of the divine law. These motives were studiously concealed under
the garb of friendship, so that they were not suspected, even by the great
leader. These heathen women feared to excite the indignation of Moses, but they
did not consider that no evil work could be concealed from the all-seeing eye
of God. {ST, December 30, 1880 par. 2}
Their hellish plans were all too successful. It was not long before the
poison of licentiousness and idolatry had spread like a deadly infection
through the congregation of Israel. The people seemed to be infatuated. The rulers and
leading men were among the first to step over the line; and so general was the
defection, that it is recorded in the Sacred Word, that "Israel joined
himself unto Baal-peor." Alas that the
people who had been so signally protected from Satan's power, should now
deliberately walk into the net which he had laid for them! {ST, December 30,
1880 par. 3}
Suddenly Moses was aroused to perceive the mighty evil in the camp, and
he was horrified as he discovered its nature and extent. So successful had been
the plots of these vile, artful women, that his own people were participating
in the abominable scenes enacted at the worship of Baal, and the sacrifice and sacrilegious
feasts were becoming established among the Israelites. The aged leader was
filled with indignation, and the wrath of God was kindled against the people. By divine
authority, Moses addressed to the rulers of Israel the command: "Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor." {ST, December 30, 1880 par. 4}
This order was promptly obeyed. The people had already been awakened to
the enormity of their sin, by the swift judgments of God. A terrible
pestilence had broken out in the camp, and twenty-four thousand of the
congregation fell a prey to its ravages. None knew
where this visitation would end, yet they felt that their punishment was just.
Overwhelmed with terror, they hastened to the tabernacle, and with tears and
deep humiliation, confessed their sin. {ST, December 30, 1880 par. 5}
While the people were thus weeping before God, at the door of the
tabernacle, while the plague was still doing its work of death, and the
magistrates executing their terrible commission, one of the nobles of Israel came boldly into
the camp, accompanied by a Midianitish princess, whom
he gallantly escorted to his tent. This daring outrage stirred the indignation
of all Israel, and swift retribution followed the offenders. Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the
high priest, rose up from among the congregation, and slew them both. This prompt
and determined act evinced a just abhorrence of the sins which had brought so
great calamities upon Israel. God approved the course of Phinehas,
and the plague was stayed; while the priest who had so zealously executed the
divine judgment was honored before all Israel, and
the priesthood was confirmed to him and to his house forever. {ST, December
30, 1880 par. 6}
As
we read this history, it seems almost incredible that a man could be so blinded
by the bewitching power of woman as to indulge such stubborn and Heaven-daring
rebellion, in face of the most terrible visitations of divine wrath. But human
nature is the same in every age. The temptations of Satan are no less strong
today than in the days of ancient Israel. {ST, December 30, 1880par. 7}
Satan has ever achieved his greatest successes through the neglect of
God's people to maintain their separation from the world,--its customs, its
practices, and principles. There are but two great parties among men,--the servants
of Christ, and the servants of Satan. Their leaders are opposites in every
particular. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to conquer the prince of darkness,
says, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because
ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the
world hateth you." Here Christ makes a marked
distinction between his followers and the world. Those who are of the world are in direct
opposition to those who love God and keep his commandments. The heart must
be kept with all diligence, that the human be not exalted above the divine. If
those who profess to love and serve God, follow blind
impulse, rather than reason and conscience, they will fall by the artifice of
Satan. The affections should be guarded and controlled, lest they be
placed upon unworthy objects, that are forbidden in
the word of God. {ST, December 30, 1880 par. 8}
Samson, that mighty man of valor, was under a
solemn vow to be a Nazarite during the period of his
life; but, becoming infatuated by the charms of lewd woman, he rashly broke
that sacred pledge. Satan worked through his agents to destroy this ruler of
Israel, that the mysterious power which he possessed might no longer intimidate
the enemies of God's people. It was the influence of this bold woman that
separated him from God, her artifices that proved his ruin. The love and
service which God claims, Samson gave to this woman. This was
idolatry. He lost all sense of the sacred character and work of God, and
sacrificed honor, conscience, and every valuable interest, to base passion.
{ST, December 30, 1880 par. 9}
The
life of Solomon should prove a beacon of warning to God's people in every age.
The Lord had erected a barrier between Israel and other nations. He had made
that people the depositaries of his law, and their safety lay in preserving
their peculiar, holy character. But as King Solomon's heart was lifted up in
pride, he became eager for still greater wealth and power. To secure
these, political alliances were formed with idolatrous nations. {ST, December
30, 1880 par. 10}
Honor and riches flowed in to him as the result; but these temporal
advantages were dearly purchased at the sacrifice of principle. His kingdom was
enriched with the gold of Tarshish, but the fine gold
of character was tarnished by the corrupting influence of paganism. Once over
the wise barrier which God had erected, the king took, one after another, the
fatal steps that led him away from hope, and happiness, and Heaven. From the wisest
of the rulers, Solomon became a despot. Satan triumphed as this man, who had
thrice been called the beloved of his God, became a slave of passion, and
sacrificed his integrity to the bewitching power of woman.{ST,
December 30, 1880 par. 11}
The
cases mentioned are sufficient to show the danger of corrupting the soul by
mingling with God's enemies. These examples are placed on record for the benefit of those who
live amid the perils of the last days. The devices of Satan are no less now
than in ancient times. Indeed, as we near the period of Christ's second coming,
Satan redoubles his efforts to work with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.
The youth especially are in constant and fearful danger of being overcome by
his temptations. {ST, December 30, 1880 par. 12}
In
the judgments that followed Israel's sin, we may see with what abhorrence God
looks upon worldliness, idolatry, and licentiousness. The same dangers exist
today that threatened the prosperity, and even the existence, of his ancient
people. Temptations to licentiousness have been steadily increasing from that
time to the present, and similar scenes are constantly enacted, with similar
efforts at concealment. A bewitching power is brought to bear on every soul not
fortified by firm principle. Warnings of fathers and mothers and of God's embassadors are all unheeded. The affections
which should be centered upon God are given to the idolatry of unworthy
objects. {ST, December 30, 1880 par. 13}
Watchfulness and vigilance are needed now. The lustful eye
must be turned off from beholding vanity. Boldness and immodesty must be met with a
decided rebuke. Let none yield to a spirit of self-confidence, and feel that
they are in no danger. As long as Satan lives, his efforts will be constant and
untiring to make the world as wicked as before the flood, and as licentious as
were the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. The prayer may well be offered daily by all
who have the fear of God before them, that he will preserve their hearts from evil
desires, and strengthen their souls to resist temptation. Those who, in their
self-confidence, feel no need of watchfulness and unceasing prayer,
are near some humiliating fall. All who do not feel the importance of
resolutely guarding their affections will be captivated by those who practice
their arts to ensnare and lead astray the unwary. {ST, December
30, 1880par. 14}
Satan exulted to see Samson, a man whom God could have used to his
glory, so infatuated that he could betray his strength into the hands of
Delilah. Satan knew that he had taken Samson captive. Few who go thus far,
again see clearly the aggravated character of sin. Reputation, strength, and
usefulness are sacrificed for sinful indulgence. Blind infatuation leads men on
in the way to destruction. The power of Satan, his arts and
machinations --who can know them? Those who, in defiance of all the warnings and
entreaties of God's word, venture to indulge in sin, are sleeping on the very
brink of eternal ruin. Because God bears long with transgressors of his law,
because he sends them warnings and entreaties, because punishment does not
immediately follow their evil deeds, they abuse his mercy and forbearance, and
blindly rush on in a course of crime. {ST, December 30, 1880 par. 15}
If those who now depart from the straight
line of virtue and integrity were as promptly rebuked by the swift judgments of
God as were the offenders in Israel's day, crime of this character would be
less prevalent. When assailed by temptation, many have not moral strength to
say, as did Joseph, "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against
God?" They do not give a decided refusal to the first invitation to
transgress the law of God; and soon unlawful indulgence becomes habitual, and
they are ready to deny that it is a sin. {ST, December 30, 1880 par. 16}
Unwise marriages are the curse of this age. Such an alliance can but be
disastrous to both parties. That love which has no better foundation than mere
sensual gratification will be headstrong, blind, and uncontrollable. Honor,
truth, and every noble, elevated power of the mind, is
brought under the slavery of passions. The man who is bound in the chains of
this infatuation is too often deaf to the voice of reason and conscience;
neither argument nor entreaty can lead him to see the folly of his course. {ST,
December 30, 1880par. 17}
Men
and women professing godliness should tremble at the thought of entering into a
marriage covenant with those who do not respect and obey the commandments of
God. It was this that opened the flood-gates of sin to the antediluvians. Such
a connection with the world is a direct departure from God's express
requirements,--"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers."
{ST,December 30, 1880 par.
18}
In these alliances the creature receives the
love which should be given to the Creator. There is danger in entering into any
intimate relation with those who have no connection with Heaven. This is the
friendship which Inspiration calls enmity with God. We cannot be
too jealous of ourselves, lest by associating with worldlings
we fall into the same habits. It was for this reason that the Israelites were
commanded to dwell alone, as a people separate from all other nations. The
friendship of the Lord's enemies is more to be dreaded than their enmity; for
Satan is constantly working through pleasing, intelligent unbelievers, to tempt
the people of God to sin. {ST,December
30, 1880 par. 19}
When one commandment of the decalogue
is broken, the downward steps are almost certain. When once the barriers of
female modesty are removed, the basest licentiousness does not appear exceeding
sinful. Alas, what terrible results of woman's influence for evil may be
witnessed in the world today! Through the allurements of "strange
women," thousands are incarcerated in prison cells, many take their own
lives, and many cut short the lives of others. How true the words of
Inspiration, "Her feet go down to death, her steps take hold on
hell." {ST, December 30, 1880 par. 20}
Beacons of warning are placed on every side in the pathway of life, to
prevent men from approaching the dangerous, forbidden ground; but
notwithstanding this, multitudes choose the fatal path, contrary to the dictates
of reason, regardless of God's law, and in defiance of his vengeance. {ST,
December 30, 1880 par. 21}
Those who would preserve physical health, a vigorous intellect, and
sound morals must "flee youthful lusts." Those who will put forth
zealous and decided efforts to check the wickedness that lifts its bold,
presumptuous head in our midst, are hated and maligned by all wrong-doers, but
they will honored and recompensed of God. {ST, December
30, 1880 par. 22}
The
judgments visited upon Israel for their sin at Shittim,
destroyed the survivors of that vast company, who, nearly forty years before,
had provoked the Lord to swear in his wrath that they should not enter Canaan.
When, at the command of God, the people were numbered just prior to the death
of Moses, it was found that "there was not left a man of them, save Caleb,
the son of Nun, the son of Jephunneh." Thus had
the word of God been strictly fulfilled. {ST, December
30, 1880 par. 23}
January
14, 1873 Life and Mission of John
By Ellen G.
White.
As
John looked forward to the ministry and miracles of Christ, he appealed to the
people, "saying, Repent ye; for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand." He
was successful in his ministry. Persons of all rank, high and low, rich and
poor, submitted to the requirements of the prophet, as necessary for them in
order to participate in the kingdom he came to declare. Many of the scribes and
Pharisees came to him, confessing their sins, and were baptized of him in
Jordan. The confessions made by the Pharisees astonished the prophet; for
they had exalted themselves as better than other men, and had maintained a high
opinion of their own piety and worthiness. As they sought to obtain remission
of their sins, and revealed the secrets of their lives, which had been covered
from the eyes of men, the prophet was amazed. "But when he saw many of the Pharisees
and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers,
who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth, therefore,
fruits meet for repentance. And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father; for I say unto you, that God
is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." {RH, January
14, 1873 par. 1}
The
whole Jewish nation seemed to be affected by the mission of John. The threatenings of God on account of their sins, repeated by
the prophet, for a time alarmed them. John knew that they cherished the idea
that, because they were of the seed of Abraham, they were securely established
in the favor of God, while their course of action was
abhorred of him. Their conduct was, in many respects, even worse than that of the
heathen nations to whom they felt so much superior. The prophet
faithfully presented to them the ability of God to raise
up those who would take their place, and would become more worthy children of
Abraham. He told them plainly that God was not dependent upon them to
fulfill his purposes; for he could provide ways and means independent of them
to carry forward his great work which was to be accomplished in purity and
righteousness. John further adds: "And now also
the ax is laid unto the root of the trees; therefore
every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is
hewn down, and cast into the fire." He impresses upon them that the value
of the tree is ascertained by the fruit it produces. Though a tree
may bear an exalted name, yet if it produces no fruit, or if its fruit is
unworthy of the name, the name will avail nothing in saving the tree from
destruction. "Of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush
gather they grapes." {RH, January 14, 1873 par.
2}
The
prophet of God was impressed by the Holy Spirit that many of the Pharisees and
Sadducees who asked baptism had no true convictions of their sins. They had
selfish motives. They thought that if they should become friends of the
prophet, they would stand a better chance to be personally favored of the
coming Prince. In their blindness they believed that he was to set up a
temporal kingdom, and bestow honors and riches upon
his subjects. {RH, January 14, 1873 par. 3}
John rebuked their selfish pride and avarice. He warned them of their
unbelief, and condemned their hypocrisy. He told them that they had not fulfilled the
conditions of the covenant on their part, which would entitle them to the
promises God made to a faithful and obedient people. Their proud
boasts of being children of Abraham did not make them really such. Their
exhibitions of pride, their arrogance, jealousy, selfishness, and cruelty,
stamped their characters as a generation of vipers, rather than the children of
obedient and just Abraham. Their wicked works had disqualified them to claim the promises
God made to the children of Abraham. John assured them that God would raise up
children unto Abraham from the very stones, to whom he could fulfill his
promise, rather than to depend on the natural children of Abraham who had
neglected the light God had given them, and had become hardened by selfish
ambition and wicked unbelief. He told them that if they were really the children
of Abraham, they would do the works of their father Abraham. They would have
Abraham's faith, love, and obedience. But they did not bear this fruit. They
had no claim to Abraham as their father, or the promises God made to the seed
of Abraham. "Every tree which bringeth not
forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." While they were
professing to be God's commandment keeping people, their works denied their
faith, and without true repentance for their sins they would have no part in
the kingdom of Christ. Justice, benevolence, mercy, and the love of God would
characterize the lives of his commandment-keeping people. Unless these fruits
were seen in their daily life, all their profession was of no more value than
chaff which would be devoted to the fire of destruction. {RH, January 14, 1873
par. 4}
The Jews had deceived themselves by misinterpreting the words of
the Lord through his prophets, of his eternal favor
to his people Israel. {RH, January 14, 1873 par. 5}
"Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and
the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; the Lord of
hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord,
then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever.
Thus saith the Lord: If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of
the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for
all that they have done, saith the Lord." Jer. 31:35-37. {RH, January 14, 1873 par. 6}
These words the
Jews applied to themselves. And because God had shown them so great favor
and mercy, they flattered themselves that, notwithstanding their sins and
iniquities, he would still retain them as his favored people, and shower
especial blessings upon them. They misapplied the words of Jeremiah, and depended for their
salvation upon being called the children of Abraham. If they had indeed been
worthy of the name of Abraham's children, they would have followed the
righteous example of their father Abraham, and would have done the works of
Abraham. {RH, January 14, 1873 par. 7}
This has been the danger of the people of God in all ages; and
especially is this the danger of those living near the
close of time. We are cited by the apostle to the unbelief, blindness,
rebellion, and repeated sins of the Hebrews, as a warning. Paul plainly
states that "all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they
are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." If, in these
last days of peril, for the encouragement of persons in responsible positions,
God in mercy gives them a testimony of favor, they
frequently become lifted up, and lose sight of their frailties and weaknesses,
and rely upon their own judgment, flattering themselves that God cannot
accomplish his work without their especial aid. They trust in their own wisdom; and the Lord
permits them, for a time, to apparently prosper, to reveal the weakness and
folly of the natural heart. But the Lord will, in his own time, and in his own
way, bring down the pride and folly of these deceived ones, and show to them
their true condition. If they will accept the humiliation,
and by confession and sincere repentance, turn unto the Lord, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God, he will renew his love to them. But if they
shut their eyes to their own sins, as did the Jews, and choose their own ways,
the Lord will give them up to blindness of mind, and hardness of heart, that
they cannot discern the things of the Spirit of God. {RH, January
14, 1873 par. 8}
God cannot do
much for man, because he misinterprets his blessings, and concludes that he is
favored on account of some goodness in himself. It is not safe to speak in the praise of
mortals; for they cannot bear it. Satan has the special work to do of
flattering poor souls, and he needs not the help of the Lord's servants in this
matter. How few realize the weakness of human nature and the subtlety of Satan.
Many in these last days are preparing themselves for affliction and sorrow, or
for complete separation from the favor of God,
because of their pride and self-righteousness. They will fall, through
self-exaltation. {RH, January 14, 1873 par. 9}
The
prophet John impressed upon the people the necessity of their profession being
accompanied with good works. Their words and actions would be their fruit, and
would determine the character of the tree. If their works were evil, the truth
of God would testify against them. God would in no
wise excuse sin in a people who had been enlightened, even if he had, in their
days of faithfulness and purity, loved them, and given them especial promises.
These promises and blessings were always upon condition of obedience upon their
part. {RH, January 14, 1873 par. 10}
The Lord
pronounced, by the mouth of Moses, blessings upon the obedient, and curses upon
the disobedient. "Ye shall make you no idols," was the command of God.
"Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary. I am the Lord. If
ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; then I will give
you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of
the field shall yield their fruit." Many and great blessings are
enumerated, which God would bestow; and then, above all the other blessings, he
promised, "I will set my tabernacle among you; and my soul shall not abhor
you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my
people." "But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all
these commandments; and if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor
my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my
covenant, I also will do this unto you: I will even appoint over you terror,
consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause
sorrow of heart; and ye shall sow your seed in vain; for your enemies shall eat
it. And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your
enemies. They that hate you shall reign over you, and ye shall flee when none pursueth you." {RH, January 14, 1873 par. 11}
The
Jews were experiencing the fulfillment of the threatened curse of God for their
departure from him, and for their iniquity; yet they did not lay these things
to heart, and afflict their souls before God. A people that hated them ruled
over them. They were claiming the blessings God had promised to confer upon
them should they be obedient and faithful. But at the very time they were
suffering under the curse of God because of disobedience. John declared to them
that unless they bore fruit, they would be hewn down and cast into the fire.
{RH, January 14, 1873 par. 12}
He specified
the fruit they were required to bear in order to become the subjects of
Christ's kingdom; which were works of love, mercy, and benevolence. They must
have virtuous characters. These fruits would be the result of genuine
repentance and faith. If blessed with plenty, and they saw others destitute, they
should divide with them. They must be workers. "He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that
hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and
said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more
than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him,
saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them,
do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and
be content with your wages." {RH, January 14, 1873 par. 13}
John gave his disciples lessons in practical godliness. He showed them
that true goodness, honesty, and fidelity, must be
seen in their daily life, and that they should be actuated by unselfish
principles, or they would be no better than common sinners. {RH,January 14, 1873 par. 14}
Unless others should be made better within the sphere of their
influence, they would be like the fruitless tree. Their wealth was not to be
used merely for selfish purposes. They were to relieve the wants of the
destitute, and to make free-will offerings to God to advance the interests of
his cause. They should not abuse their privileges, to oppress, but should
shield the defenseless, redress the wrongs of the
injured, and thus give a noble example of benevolence, compassion, and virtue,
to those who were inferior and dependent. If they made no change in their
conduct, but continued to be extravagant, selfish, and void of principle, they
would correctly represent the tree bearing no good fruit. This lesson is
applicable to all Christians. The followers of Christ should evidence to the
world a change in their life for the better, and by their good works show the
transforming influence of the Spirit of God upon their hearts. But there are
many who bear no fruit to the glory of God; they give no evidence of a radical
change in their life. Although they make high profession, they have not felt
the necessity of obtaining a personal experience for themselves, by engaging in
Christian duties with hearts of love, intensified by their new and holy
obligations, feeling a weight of their responsibility in doing their Master's
work with readiness and diligence. {RH, January 14, 1873 par. 15}
The
people thought that John might be the promised Messiah. His life was unselfish,
and marked with humility and self-denial. His teachings, exhortations, and
reproofs, were fervent, sincere, and courageous. In his mission, he turned not
to the right or to the left to court the favors or
applause of any. He did not aspire to worldly honor or worldly dignity, but was
humble in heart and life, and did not assume honors
that did not belong to him. He assured his followers that he was not the
Christ. {RH, January 14, 1873 par. 16}
John, as a prophet, stood forth as God's representative, to show the
connection between the law and prophets, and the Christian dispensation. His
work and ministry pointed back to the law and the prophets, while he, at the
same time, pointed the people forward to Christ, as the Saviour of the world.
He raised his voice and cried to the people, "Behold the Lamb of God,
which taketh away the sin of the world." {RH,
January 14, 1873 par. 17}
Multitudes followed this singular prophet from place to place, and many
sacrificed all to obey his instruction. Kings, and the noble of the earth, were
attracted to this prophet of God, and heard him gladly. As John saw that the
attention of the people was directed to him, thinking that he might be the
Coming One, he sought every opportunity to direct the attention of the people
to One mightier than himself.
{RH, January 14, 1873 par. 18}