Snares

The road is wide but the gate is narrow.

These are the words that formed in my mind after reading a recent Herescope blog (downloadable file below). I had just finished the book of Joshua who admonished the Israelites to stay separate from the ways of the peoples they had conquered. He probably knew they wouldn't. In fact, in the following book of Judges, the reason is clear, (Judges 2:20) And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel; and he said, Because this nation have transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;  (2:21) I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations that Joshua left when he died;  (2:22) that by them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not. 

I tried to imagine the slow subtle process of blending and amalgamation. To think a people who had not only witnessed but participated in unprecedented miracles could forget and allow themselves to be compromised again and again boggles the mind. But Scripture is clear that the generation that obeyed did not instruct the generation that followed. It doesn't happen overnight. But, historically speaking, since the time of the Israelites settling into the land that God promised them, the cities they did not build, the vineyards they did not plant, this process of slow and steady compromise to final desecration has happened over and over. We are well past the middle now of this era's fall from grace. Is it too simplistic to say it is because we have not taught our children how to beware the snares? Is this how it was with the Israelites who swore their allegiance to the Lord before Joshua? They knew the truth but they got too busy or too complacent to tell their children. Or was it more like, their children were too busy to listen, too "modern", too "evolved"? So why bother trying to tell them, they won't listen anyway.

I considered the process and it seems to go like this:

The distractions are the snares but it is the weakness of the flesh that allows for justification that seals the deal. Yoga is just one of many seemingly harmless, easily justified little distractions, in this modern, evolved, all embracing culture. I'm sure the Israelites loved their children and wanted what was best for them. Why is it so difficult then to tell your children the hard things they don't want to hear?

But the ancient call to come out, to keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not is still being issued. I believe we are in last call. Come out, or don't. Sometimes the only way to say a hard thing is just to say it and then pray that the ears of those you love will hear.

:)a

(Joshua 24:14) Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. (24:15) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.