Vain Worship of God - Matthew 15:9

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor your father and mother: and, He that curses father or mother, let him die the death. But you say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever you might be profited by me. And honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. You hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draw near unto me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me”, and in chapter fifteen and verse nine of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus continued His quoting of Isaiah as He said, “in vain they do worship me” where we read:

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

The verse reads, “But in vain they do worship me, ...”. Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “in vain” or “fruitlessly, to no purpose and with folly” “they do worship” which means “the people revere, adore and reverence” “me” which refers to “God”. Matthew shared how Jesus continued to share Isaiah's words as he predicted the people would “revere and adore” God in a “fruitless” and foolish manner.

The verse continues, “... teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew continued with the word, “teaching” which means “instructing, delivering didactic discourses and imparting” “for doctrines” which means “precepts, learning and teachings” “the commandments” or “the precepts, injunctions and rules” “of men” or “belonging to people whether male or female”. Matthew shared how people who worship God in “vain” also give instructions to others according to their “man-made” rules and laws.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how men have “replaced” the law of God with their own “rules”. Because they only serve God with their voices and not their “souls”, they presumptively believe their rules are superior to God's. They enforced and give didactic teachings on their “rules”, and they expect people to follow them. God purposes that people have a loving personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they align with His way, they will seek to follow His commands. If they choose their own way, they fabricate their own “doctrine” and expect everyone to follow after them and their ways. Let everyone who reads these words examine themselves and take heed.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus, “called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.