No Other Gods

Background Scripture: Deuteronomy 4-5
Lesson Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:15-20, 5:6-10; Luke 4:8

Introduction

Our belief in a one, true, invisible God, who has existed forever and is supreme and all-knowing, permeates all aspects of our spiritual life. Moses stated, “Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Ps. 90:2). We could use all the superlatives found in our vocabulary, and we would still be unable to describe the true glory of God. He is all powerful, righteous, and merciful. He created the universe, the earth, and everything upon it. He placed within each of us a living soul. His desire is for each one to return to Him when life on earth is over. Jesus said, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30). May our reverence for our heavenly Father be increased and our faith in Him strengthened as we study and discuss this lesson.

Key Verse

And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known (Deut. 11:28).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

After forty years of wandering and living in the wilderness, the Israelites were preparing to enter the promised land. Moses was leading a generation of people who had not experienced the deliverance from Egypt and the power of the Lord guiding them across the Red Sea. They had not felt the earth quake and seen the fiery smoke billow when the Lord descended on Mount Sinai. After this demonstration of power and glory, the Lord had called Moses to the top of Mount Sinai, where He gave him the Ten Commandments and many other instructions. This generation had not seen the golden calf Aaron made for the people who became impatient waiting for Moses to descend from the mount. Neither had they experienced the rebellion of their fathers that kept them from entering the promised land.

Due to his disobedience in striking the rock when he had been commanded to speak to it, Moses would not lead the people across the river into Canaan. His purpose was to prepare the people by fixing their minds on the Lord. They were about to enter Canaan and face the resistance of an idolatrous, enemy people as they took possession of the land. The recounting of how the Lord had led the Israelites over the last forty years was meant to strengthen their faith in the one true God.

Practical Truths for Today

Today, we have the written record of how the Lord led, judged, and delivered his people. He is still leading his flock through the complexities of life and demonstrating his power in the lives of his followers. God’s Son shed his blood and died for the sin of mankind. We experience God’s power when we yield our hearts to Him, and He gives us peace that is beyond human explanation and comprehension.

As the Israelites observed the nations around them, they adopted and incorporated some customs and rituals into their worship of God. Some customs, such as the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice, were a drastic departure from the true worship; others appeared quite harmless. The people still worshiped the one, true God but did so in high places, building altars upon hills and elevated platforms as they had seen the heathen do. These pagan practices were a compromise of God’s perfect will, and the kings whose hearts were turned toward God did away with these ungodly variations.

The worship of the true God today can also become tainted with the gods of this world. We may say we worship the true God, but are the false beliefs of rights and entitlements, eternal security, and easy grace affecting us? Is the belief in a god who would never cast anyone into hell allowing for an erroneous pretense of a little more liberty? What about weekend recreation that takes us away from worship service? Do our churches reflect the simplicity of true God worship? The “high places” of this age are those things which the world highly regards and delights in. Many people ardently give themselves to follow sports, recreation, entertainment, and politics, to name only a few. These can detract from sincere, humble worship of the true God.

The world calls the stars of the entertainment world idols, and that is what they become. Music concerts and theaters attract thousands of adoring followers worshiping at the throne of sensual pleasure and immorality. Sports stars are looked up to with adulation and admiration. The hype and attention surrounding the celebrities of popular culture can affect a Christian’s true objective to serve the Lord.

In reality, the worship of something other than God is selfishness. Our desire to worship something stems from the void left in the heart by the fall of man. We endeavor to fill this emptiness by turning to the altar of money and possessions, sacrificing trust in God for the wealth of this world. We may serve the god of pride and popularity, sacrificing contentment and joy to gain the attention of our peers. Perhaps we cannot accept the admonition and direction of the church or our brethren and sacrifice faith and trust in the bride of Christ as we bow at the altar of intellectualism. The fruit of our lives will reveal the gods we worship.

God knows the tendencies of fallen man. His command not to create any likeness, similitude, or image of any person, animal, heavenly body, or any part of the physical creation was made with a purpose. He knew what would happen to people if they did so. This command together with the Bible’s teaching against pride and vanity forms the believers’ conviction against photography. Photographs of families, children, vacations, and special occasions are some of a person’s most precious possessions. Spectacular scenic photos become keepsakes. How easily these treasured photographs become idols.

Advanced technology has provided the means to spread the gospel like never before. Missionaries can be flown to the farthest reaches of this world, and the internet makes it possible for seeking souls to contact the church wherever they are. The benefits may seem innumerable; however, this same technology can take our attention from the true God and be used to promote self. The smartphone in my hand can become an entertainment center, serving as a temporary stress reliever when we should be taking our cares to the Lord and finding a more effective remedy.

The Lord created the world in all its wonderful and majestic beauty. He has created each and every one of us, unique with a character and temperament. Youth, with their energy and enthusiasm, enjoy activities that allow them to exercise their physical and mental abilites. We should enjoy the grandeur and variety of our world; however, let us never forget that in all this we must honor and worship the One who created it. He sent the Holy Spirit as a guide for the Christian and the still, small voice to accompany us. He will never force us to follow but will nudge us in the right direction. “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left” (Isa. 30:21).

Why would we wish to worship other gods? David wrote, “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth” (Ps. 86:15). Other gods require duties, rituals, and sacrifices of some sort, which are demanding, enslaving, and degrading, but the true God accepts a penitent heart with joy and gives a peace which no other god can give. A merciful Father and a penitent child will always meet in a joyous embrace. The door to heaven is never blocked by God; it remains wide open to those who choose it and is only closed to those who turn away from it into another way.

Illustration

God proved his supremacy at different times to the children of Israel. One instance is found in 1 Kings 18. The Israelites, led by King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, worshiped the pagan god, Baal. Elijah ordered Ahab to gather the prophets of Baal and meet with him on Mount Carmel to prove who was the true God. Four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal stood on one side, and one lone prophet of God, Elijah, stood on the other side. The prophets of Baal were told to choose their bullock, dress it, lay it on the altar, and call on their god to provide fire for the sacrifice. The prophets of Baal did so and called mightily on their god to provide the fire. In vain they spent the day pleading and cutting themselves. There was no answer and no fire. Elijah then called the people to come near. He built an altar, dug a trench around it, and soaked the sacrifice thoroughly with water. Elijah then offered a simple prayer to the Lord, and fire descended instantly, consuming the sacrifice, wood, water, and stones. The true God did not need hours of pleading and self-mutilation to reveal his power. He answered in a simple but significant way and does so still today. May we recognize his power to perform miracles in our day.

Questions

1. We love our spouses, children, and parents. How do we love our families dearly without compromising our love for the Lord?
2. Discuss this verse in the light of our lesson topic: “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment” (Eccles. 11:9).
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).