Today focuses on the false prophets who represent false gods, such as the prophets of Baal, who are described below.
For a price, the sorceresses were using occult powers to put curses on innocent people, and promising life to wrongdoers. Their various rituals somehow used bands and veils.
It would have been much like the voodoo rituals (of today) using voodoo dolls in order to put curses on specific people. As well, some of these aspects are very much like the new age practices with crystals, etc. which come with a promise to protect a person...
(Ezekiel 13:17-23) “Now you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who are prophesying from their own inspiration. Prophesy against them 18 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Woe to the women who sew magic bands on all wrists and make veils for the heads of persons of every stature to hunt down lives! Will you hunt down the lives of My people, but preserve the lives of others for yourselves? 19 For handfuls of barley and fragments of bread, you have profaned Me to My people to put to death some who should not die and to keep others alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies.”’”
20 Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against your magic bands by which you hunt lives there as birds and I will tear them from your arms; and I will let them go, even those lives whom you hunt as birds. 21 I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people from your hands, and they will no longer be in your hands to be hunted; and you will know that I am the Lord. 22 Because you disheartened the righteous with falsehood when I did not cause him grief, but have encouraged the wicked not to turn from his wicked way and preserve his life, 23 therefore, you women will no longer see false visions or practice divination, and I will deliver My people out of your hand. Thus you will know that I am the Lord.”
From this we see:
- one of Satan's strategies to keep people away from God, is to give people false promises and false hope in themselves or in other things
- Satan's strategy is to feed into people's selfish desires as well as the temptation to hate and seek revenge, especially towards all believers
- things like voodoo dolls will not hurt you, good luck charms will not protect you, crystals will not give you energy; whatever the promises are - they are empty, or self-fulfilling, or Satan will figure out a way to make something happen so that you will believe in those objects rather than God
Personal experience: as a child, I remember hearing about various superstitions which would bring either good luck or bad luck. At first, I bought into some of them thinking - "Well, just in case! How could it hurt?!" But this does diminish one's hope and faith in God!
Like having a rabbit's foot for good luck. That gimmick didn't last long with me. Why in the world would I trust that a rabbit's foot would somehow give me any sort of hope for anything? Or picking up a penny? The most that penny can do is make me a penny richer!
Or there were the superstitions to avoid bad luck, like not stepping on the sidewalk cracks. Really? You know, for all the times that I've stepped on sidewalk cracks, my mother's back has never been broken!
And as for walking under ladders - it is just common sense that it's not a wise thing to do. You could easily bump into one of its legs and cause something to fall on top of you, or cause the person on top of the ladder to fall off and hurt themselves.
Today's takeaway: it's pretty straight forward really. Trust God!!! We only need to trust in God!
When we trust in God, He provides what we need! This is not "good luck" - it is purposeful and these are good gifts from God.
When bad things happen, we should know that God has allowed these things to happen, either because they are consequences of sin (our sin or someone else's sin), and/or they are tests in order to teach us something! Like - teach us to trust in God!...
(James 1:13-17) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
(Romans 8:28) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
(Proverbs 3:1-26) My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
2 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens.
20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up and the skies drip with dew.
21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 So they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26 For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens.
20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up and the skies drip with dew.
21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 So they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26 For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
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