Here is a lecture on the decline of the civilization and its relation to a culture of idolatry. There are powerpoints that go with this, so if you want them, just email me and ask. [audio:https://skipmoen.com/audio/culture-of-idolatry.mp3] (To listen, hit the Play button above, or right-click here, select “Save as…” and download the file to your…
For you have said in your heart, “I will go up to the heavens. I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit in the mount of meeting, in the side of the north. I will rise over the heights of the clouds; I will be compared to the Most…
saying, “Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls;” Revelation 18:16 Clothed – You’re reading John’s apocalyptic revelation. You know that apocalyptic literature is filled with symbols and literary allusions. You’re Jewish. You know your own Scriptures because…
For you trusted in your wickedness; you said, “No one sees me.” Your wisdom and your knowledge, it leads you away, and you said in your heart, “I am and none else is.” Isaiah 47:10 Leads You Away – In characteristic Hebrew style, the verb used here for “leading away” is the same verb that…
For you trusted in your wickedness; you said, “No one sees me.” Your wisdom and your knowledge, it leads you away, and you said in your heart, “I am and none else is.” Isaiah 47:10 Wickedness – How could anyone trust in wickedness? Does that make any sense at all? No one actually puts their…
otherwise you might make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they would play the harlot with their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone might invite you to eat of his sacrifice. Exodus 34:15 Play The Harlot – When Israel entered Canaan, it was surrounded by pagan fertility cults. The sex…
Most of us don’t realize that vast populations of the world still practice explicit idolatry. On my recent trip, I can across these images. They tell the story.
There you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, that cannot see or hear or eat or smell. Deuteronomy 4:28 You Will Serve – Israel’s occupation of the Promised Land is completely conditional. Their election as God’s people is completely unconditional. God chooses and obligates Himself in the election of Israel, but Israel must…
Christians have always been taught to avoid sin. That’s a given. But sometimes I think we trip ourselves up by not really understanding what the Bible calls “sin.” We assume that we know what we aren’t supposed to do. Murder, steal, lie, covet (that one is kind of vague but it’s on the list), use…
But you shall cut down their altars and break their images and you shall cut off their shrines. Exodus 34:13 Break – Let’s be very clear about this. What God tells us to smash into pieces is never to be put back together again. What God says we are to cut down is never to…
