The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Exodus 34:11-18, “Be sure to observe what I am commanding you this day: behold, I am going to drive out the Amorite before you, and the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst.
13 “But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim
14 — for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God–
15 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,
16 and you might take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters might play the harlot with their gods and cause your sons also to play the harlot with their gods.
17 “You shall make for yourself no molten gods.
18 “You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in the month of Abib you came out of Egypt.”

There were a number of abandoned houses in the area where I lived as a kid. We kids were always interesting in perusing those places, noting especially the things former tenants had left behind. I wonder if they built this house… Was this their kitchen? I’m guessing this was the dining area? We had fun just wondering about things…letting our imaginations run wild.

Israel didn’t have to wonder about things. The LORD clearly revealed to the nation what He was going to do and warned the people against becoming interested in their gods and their practices in worship.

We live in a day when we need to be careful, too. We live in a world with a host of nice people –except for some of their worship. I remember a relative –a very nice person. We were always glad when she came to visit, but her religion was anything but Christian.

Many young Christians stray from the faith when they become attracted, then attached, to the wrong person. The warning of Moses serves us well today. Moses prayed: “…let the LORD go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate…” (v. 9). “Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land…” (v. 12).

With solemn words that have enjoyed life well beyond Moses’ day, we are warned against worshipping any god other than the LORD Jesus Christ. In principle, intermarriage with non-Christians is never acceptable to the LORD! (vss. 15ff).

While the principles in this Letter have been drawn from the Old Testament, they are our LORD’s sure intention for people living today. Be very careful! However you frame it, it’s never right to do wrong. Always follow Jesus! He is our Abundant Life!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom