What Are Your Idols?

After reading the Old Testament for this next Sunday, from Zephaniah (see below); a concise description of God’s completely in-your-face-wrath. I wrote WOW!!!!  And then I thought: How often do we wish that those who totally irritate us, would “get theirs?”  That is, wish that we could see the results of their underhanded attitude and behavior catch them at their own games?

Some years ago I was having a conversation with a member of the congregation who was experiencing the frustration of work place politics.  People using other people to get ahead through dishonest and unfair tactic!  He was the brunt of such activity.  Being a good pastor I said, “Someday he will reap what he sews.”  I talk about how God doesn’t work the way we do.  How sometimes we never see the consequence, we’d like to see, when it comes to other people’s actions.  He politely listened and then said, something like:  “Its hard to have that kind of patience.  I want revenge right now. It is just not right!”  I just let the conversation stay right there.  I didn’t need to respond!

What we don’t know, by just reading this passage, is that this is a divine threat against God’s chosen people.

In other Books of the Old Testament there are times when God uses His power to destroy, idol worshiping and evil counties; to pave the way for the Israelites to settle into a new area peacefully.  

The issue here is, as with most pampered children, the chosen had begun to disrespect and ignore God.  Put God at a lower level of importance.  Emulating the behavior of people who worshiped idols and lived an excessive life style in selfish and dishonest ways. The Israelites had become all too self-sufficient’ and thus disloyal to their Creator God.  And God had had enough!  He was clearly fed-up! These people were not living as God created them to live.  He had warned them, and warned them, of  their unfaithfulness.  They would now have to face the consequences of their choices. The prediction is harsh!

3 I will sweep away humans and animals; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. I will make the wicked stumble. I will cut off humanity from the face of the earth, says the Lord. 4 I will stretch out my hand against Judah, and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests;….18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath; in the fire of his passion the whole earth shall be consumed; for a full, a terrible end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth

THE HUGE PROBLEM?  The world’s greatest temptation!  

Idolatry!  Showing preference to idols!  The worship of idols!  Putting God second, or fourth or tenth, in one priorities. According to one exegete this problem had “made it impossible for worship to function properly as the vehicle for the people’s participation in and renewal of creation.  Consequently, creation will be undone.” (Jon D. Leveson, Creation and the Persistence of Evil)

Now think about that for a moment!  It is worth the thought!  It is worth it, because we live in a world that also begs us to compromise.  A world that truly worships one thing. The almighty dollar!  We can deny it all we want!  But the evidence is all to manifest to ignore.  If we are honest, money is the number one concern in this country.  

The other idol is time!  Our time, our work time, our social time, our sports time (children’s or major league teams), our day off and vacation time.  Where does God fit into our schedules?  I mean where does God fit!  Other than one hour on Sunday mornings?

Am I being too rigid?  I don’t think so!  I will admit that God has been truly a large constant in my life.  I am a pastor after all!  But it has been that way from the time I was a child.  Does that mean that I didn’t have social time, or sports time, or work time or days off, or fun?  No!  I have many human interests that occupy my days, and my time.  For those who know me, tennis is my number one interest.  Other than my family that is. 

My point?  We all have our human things to do and enjoy and take time for.  But that does not mean we don’t have, and know, God in the midst of all of that.  Right?  

You see, I think God wants us to be active as we live together on this earth.  He must like it that we have loyalties.  Otherwise he wouldn’t have asked us to love and take care of each other — and His earth. Right? And God can fit into all of that time and energy.  That is the blessing of being God’s people!  

However, I know this is hard to imagine, but the Green Bay Packers are just another team to God(;  He does not take sides!  Try to forgive him!

Having said all of that!  And knowing the number one priority of our national core value!  Where does God fit into our economic  planning?  And please!  I am not just talking about a weekly offering here.  I am referring to priorities.  Things that mean to the most to us.  The things closest to our hearts!  What we place as most important!  Our most precious treasure! 

My fingers are tired!  

So is my brain!  

Tell me what you think is my point!

1 The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah… 3 I will sweep away humans and animals; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. I will make the wicked stumble. I will cut off humanity from the face of the earth, says the Lord. 4 I will stretch out my hand against Judah, and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests; 5 those who bow down on the roofs to the host of the heavens; those who bow down and swear to the Lord, but also swear by Milcom; 6 those who have turned back from following the Lord, who have not sought the Lord or inquired of him. 7 Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is at hand; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his guests. 8 And on the day of the Lord's sacrifice I will punish the officials and the king's sons and all who dress themselves in foreign attire. 9 On that day I will punish all who leap over the threshold, who fill their master's house with violence and fraud. 10 On that day, says the Lord, a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate, a wail from the Second Quarter, a loud crash from the hills. 11 The inhabitants of the Mortar wail, for all the traders have perished; all who weigh out silver are cut off. 12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs, those who say in their hearts, "The Lord will not do good, nor will he do harm." 13 Their wealth shall be plundered, and their houses laid waste. Though they build houses, they shall not inhabit them; though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them. 14 The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter, the warrior cries aloud there. 15 That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements. 17 I will bring such distress upon people that they shall walk like the blind; because they have sinned against the Lord, their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath; in the fire of his passion the whole earth shall be consumed; for a full, a terrible end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.(Zephaniah 1:1-18)