In Psalms one hundred six the Psalmist said the people of Israel, “despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word, but murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD. Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness to overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands”, and in chapter one hundred six and verse twenty-eight of Psalms the Psalmist shared how the people of Israel, “joined themselves also unto Baalpeor” where we read,
They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
The verse begins, “They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, ...” The Psalmist began with the words, “they joined themselves also” or “they, the people of Israel, fastened, bound and combined their own selves even so and indeed” “unto Baalpeor” whose name means “lord of the gap which was a deity worshiped at Peor with probable licentious rites”. The Psalmist referred to how the people of Israel began to combine themselves to and worship the false god “Baal” in the location of “Peor”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and ate the sacrifices of the dead.” The Psalmist continued with the words, “and ate the sacrifices” or “and consumed and devoured the animal flesh offerings” “of the dead” which means “belonging to that which is put to death and killed”. The Psalmist mentioned the way the people of Israel were eating the animal flesh offerings which were killed to worship “Baal”.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how the Psalmist referred to the complete rebellion and rejection of Jehovah God by the people of Israel. They began to worship false gods, and they participated in their eating ceremonies and fleshly practices. God's desire is for all people to have Him as the only God in their lives, and He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins and errors of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us from giving homage and worship to any other god.
Next time Psalmist shares how the people of Israel, “provoked him to anger with their inventions”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or 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. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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