Saturday, January 22, 2005
Busting a Superstition (2005), by David Harwood
Intro:
Yesterday I read that the Muslim community will be sacrificing 100 lambs to Allah in North Carolina. “The attorney for the farmers said the slaughter in observance of Eid al-Adha isn't that much different than hog killings.” The State Agriculture officials said they’d keep an eye on the festivities.
Apart from the fact that the choice words, ‘hog killings’, was used to typify what these people intend to be a holy sacrifice (this is somewhat insulting and ludicrous in the light of the Islamic attitude towards ‘pig’), I wonder why they are sacrificing…
Is it mere commemoration, or for thanksgiving? or atonement? or preparatory for a feast?
If you know, please let me know.
Point:
(This is part of the entire Biblical instruction about prayer.)
Having been involved in developing an intercessors’ network, I have come across the emphasis that we need to replicate and even go beyond the devotion of those who call upon false gods, false conceptions of Deity or outright witchcraft and devil worship.
So, what I would expect to hear is something like this:
“The Muslims are sacrificing 100 lambs!!! Quick, let us set up a 100 church prayer-chain… no, let us gather centrally and pray for 100 hours before and after their sacrifices.”
I have heard things like:
“The Buddhists are praying 24 hours a day. We must pray to overcome their prayers by praying 25 hours a day!”
This has always struck me as mildly insane.
Messiah said, “… for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:7-8)
“… do not be like them…”
Look at Elijah’s example.
1 Kings 18:25-29
So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it."
26 Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, "O Baal, answer us." But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they made.
27 It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened."
28 So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them. 29 When midday was past, they raved until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice; but there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention.
Go back and read that narrative slowly. Savor it… then come back.
Elijah confronted-challenged the prophets of Baal and waited until they were exhausted after an impressive display of vain spirituality.
James referred to the origin and outcome of this spiritual conflict thusly:
James 5:17-18 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
The One Who lives within us is far greater than all the principalities and powers combined.
1 John 4:4 4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
He is able to express Himself through the believer within their spheres of ministry and authority utterly effectively. If He leads you into prayer that is in specific conflict with any Baalim, victory is assured as you obey His Voice.
Jesus is risen from the dead. He is the head of every principality and power. He lives within us by His Spirit.
Dare you believe that your nature is like Elijah’s?
Pray for effectuating faith.
1 Kings 18:36b-38 ... Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. 37 "Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again." 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
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Yesterday I read that the Muslim community will be sacrificing 100 lambs to Allah in North Carolina. “The attorney for the farmers said the slaughter in observance of Eid al-Adha isn't that much different than hog killings.” The State Agriculture officials said they’d keep an eye on the festivities.
Apart from the fact that the choice words, ‘hog killings’, was used to typify what these people intend to be a holy sacrifice (this is somewhat insulting and ludicrous in the light of the Islamic attitude towards ‘pig’), I wonder why they are sacrificing…
Is it mere commemoration, or for thanksgiving? or atonement? or preparatory for a feast?
If you know, please let me know.
Point:
(This is part of the entire Biblical instruction about prayer.)
Having been involved in developing an intercessors’ network, I have come across the emphasis that we need to replicate and even go beyond the devotion of those who call upon false gods, false conceptions of Deity or outright witchcraft and devil worship.
So, what I would expect to hear is something like this:
“The Muslims are sacrificing 100 lambs!!! Quick, let us set up a 100 church prayer-chain… no, let us gather centrally and pray for 100 hours before and after their sacrifices.”
I have heard things like:
“The Buddhists are praying 24 hours a day. We must pray to overcome their prayers by praying 25 hours a day!”
This has always struck me as mildly insane.
Messiah said, “… for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:7-8)
“… do not be like them…”
Look at Elijah’s example.
1 Kings 18:25-29
So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it."
26 Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, "O Baal, answer us." But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they made.
27 It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened."
28 So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them. 29 When midday was past, they raved until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice; but there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention.
Go back and read that narrative slowly. Savor it… then come back.
Elijah confronted-challenged the prophets of Baal and waited until they were exhausted after an impressive display of vain spirituality.
James referred to the origin and outcome of this spiritual conflict thusly:
James 5:17-18 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
The One Who lives within us is far greater than all the principalities and powers combined.
1 John 4:4 4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
He is able to express Himself through the believer within their spheres of ministry and authority utterly effectively. If He leads you into prayer that is in specific conflict with any Baalim, victory is assured as you obey His Voice.
Jesus is risen from the dead. He is the head of every principality and power. He lives within us by His Spirit.
Dare you believe that your nature is like Elijah’s?
Pray for effectuating faith.
1 Kings 18:36b-38 ... Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. 37 "Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again." 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
