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WHICH GOD?

Which God do YOU follow??

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Part One of Two

"How long halt you between two opinions?

If the LORD be God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him".

1 Kings 18:21.

This was a serious question put to God’s professed people by the prophet of God in a time of grave emergency. The Bible continues with the words, "And the people answered him not a word". It seems that they either did not know what he meant or that they did not know which god they were following! Do you? Are you sure? If you say "Yes", how do you know?

There are two major gods in the universe, the Living God in heaven, and the adversary, the god of this world. John 6:69; 1 Peter 5:8. Both have been called "lord" at different times by various people, which has led to great confusion in some minds.

The false god is often called Baal in the Scriptures, because that name describes his character.

Youngs Analytical Concordance, 8th edition, defines his name as:

"Baal, Baalim - master [lord], possessor; the chief male deity of the Phoenicians and Canaanites, as Ashtoreth was their chief female deity. Both these names have the peculiarity of being used in the plural, and of ALWAYS [emphasis in original] having the definite article prefixed. e.g. the Baalim".

In Old Testament times a typical and frequent record of God's people is one like this:

"The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served [the] baalim [i.e. other lords]". Judges 2:11.

In the New Testament Christians are cautioned to beware of this same problem in these words. "For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many), but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him . . . [sadly] there is not in every man that knowledge". 1 Corinthians 8:5-7.

The record in the time of the judges goes on to say, "They forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves to them, and provoked the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served [the] Baal [the chief one] and [the] Ashtaroth [his female companion]. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and He delivered [i.e. released] them into the hands of [the]spoilers [those gods and their followers] ..." Judges 2:12-14.

Why, and how, did this happen so often? Surely, we think they were fools to forsake the Living God, but this they did repeatedly! It is easy to dismiss the people of the past with the excuse that they had less knowledge of God than we do, or that they lived in such a time when the truth was not yet fully revealed, but this is not strictly true. [See "Christianity in the Old Testament" for more on this thought].

This is confirmed by a careful reading of the Old Testament which soon reveals many men and women of those times who saw the Son of God and angels face to face. Judges 13:3,13 etc. It also shows men and women who walked, talked and ate with the Son of God. Exodus 24:9-11. It was common to have visions and dreams sent by Him to reveal every day matters. Genesis 28:12-13. Even unbelievers such as pharaohs of Egypt, rulers of Babylon, and others, received these revelations if they were willing to be taught. Genesis 20:3-7. Abundant were the prophets of God, sometimes three or four at the same time. Jeremiah was in Jerusalem, Daniel in Babylon in the king's court, while Ezekiel lived with the captive Israelites in exile.

How do our times compare with those?

So, the question still remains unanswered, Why did they behave as they did? They were probably more intelligent than us, and certainly better morally, for God has shown this in His prophetic picture recorded as king Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2. [Comment]. Here the change from gold to iron also fitly illustrates the deterioration of religion and morality amongst the people of these kingdoms. When nations forget God, they consequently sink lower and lower in the scales of moral value for God says: "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people". Proverbs 14:34. He also says that He "Will make a [Christian] man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir", showing that the head of gold in the vision represents the best of human nature without God, and that Christians rate higher than it. Isaiah 13:12.

Yet, from the very gates of the garden of Eden, the false lord has usurped the place of the real LORD in the hearts and the minds of His people, even when they thought they were still following Him! The pharisees of Jesus' time accused Him of being led by Beel-zebub, (another name for the chief baal), when they themselves were being led by him! Luke 11:15. Why could they not see the real situation? Jesus called them, "The blind leading the blind" and told then they would fall in the ditch. Matthew 15:14.

Are we any better?

Do we always distinguish easily and quickly between the two lords?

The meaning of "baal"

The Bible dictionary goes a little further with its information that the name Baal (sometimes written Be-el), is a designation for a local god in the sense of "lord" or "master". It supplies the information that the Canaanites believed that some of the baals dwelt in holy trees, springs, mountain summits, etc., and that the people thought of them as "lords" of that locality, as well as acknowledging THE Baal who was lord of all. This supreme Baal, called Tammuz in Ezekiel 8:14, was supposedly killed, and then resurrected to a new life. This was eventually believed to occur every year in the spring and soon became the basis for the fertility rites so often associated with the old religions. Many of our holi-(onetime Holy) days today have their root in some old heathen festival of the baalim. Similarly, easter rabbits, eggs, and buns with the sign of Tammuz on them, are some of the symbols which are still in use today.

My dictionary also informs me that baal worship, universal throughout Syria and Palestine, seems to have had a great attraction for the Israelites. They repeatedly turned to it from the time they entered the land of Canaan until they were carried into exile.

Why?

The first mention of the name in the Bible states that, "It came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of [the] Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people [of God]". Numbers 22:41. It appears that by this time, even one of the prophets of God, as well as the ungodly, had the thought of the Baal in his name, and thereby showed a partiality for his nature!

Later it was written that, "The people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua ... and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD ... and the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served [the] baalim". Judges 2:7-11.

They changed very quickly from the LORD, to the lord!

Again it is written, "And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after [the] baalim, and made Baal-berith [the lord of the covenant] their god". Judges 8:33.

This occurred again and again!

The people professedly following the true God called themselves by the false god's name; they even called their children by that name. Moreover they gave the name to places and symbols such as: Baal Hazor - the lord of Hazor; Baal Peor - the lord of the opening; and Baal Zebub - the lord of the fly! Why?

Also, if the men of old were so much better than the men of our time, why do not the people of the world today appear to worship the baals even more openly? Why do not we, the present children of the Living God, see and feel even more obviously the "great attraction"?

Why is it that the baalim are not mentioned by that name in the early part of the Bible, nor in the latter part? Why is the first mention of them made just before the Israelites entered the promised land, and why were they not openly worshipped after the return from Babylon? All these, and other questions should be in our minds, and we must ask the LORD for the answers so that we can learn from the mistakes of the past, and not become just another "parallel" with the sinful history of God's people!

The visible church

It seems that the baalim come more into the light during the early time of the Jewish church, because that is the time when they can most easily be seen for what they really are. However, they do not appear so publicly after the return from the exile in Babylon because eventually the attitude symbolised by their name became so much a part of the organised religion of the Hebrews, that there was no need for them to be worshipped separately!!

Yet the worship of these baals was one of the major reasons for the exile!

The LORD had said of the Israelites that "They have built also the high places of [the] Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings to [the] Baal, which I commanded not, nor spoke it, neither came it into My mind: therefore, behold, the days come, says the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet [the place of burning of sacrifices in worship, 2 Kings 23:10]; nor the valley of the son of Hinnom [probably called after the original pagan worshipper who lived near the site of Jerusalem, Joshua 15:8]; but the valley of slaughter [because they would bury in Tophet till there be no place left, Jeremiah 7:32]. And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies ..." Jeremiah 19:5-7.

When the Israelites repented of their behaviour and learnt of Him how to be set free from Babylon, He was able to bring them out of captivity and back into their own land. Then, when they decided that they could never let this happen to them again, they set up what they considered to be protective barriers. In this way the Talmud and other books which were intended to explain how to keep the law, came into being. But only righteousness freely given, and the protection of the LORD accepted, can overcome the baal problem, therefore they were doomed to failure. It was not long before they were back in the old situation without realising it. This time the LORD could not even speak to them for the four hundred years between the Old and the New Testaments! From Malachi to John the Baptist there was no prophet of the living God among the people.

Temporary reformations

Of course, the ancient people of God did not always serve the baalim, but neither did any time of reformation last for very long. One of the earlier reformations is described in the book of Samuel. "And Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If you do return to the LORD with ALL your hearts, then put away the strange gods and [the] Ashtoroth from among you, and prepare your hearts to the LORD, and serve Him only ... Then the children of Israel did put away [the] baalim and [the] Ashtoroth, and served the LORD only ... and said ... We have sinned against the LORD". 1 Samuel 7:3-6. But even before his death they fell into their old ways again! 1 Samuel 8:1-5. Their behaviour was normally one of sining and confessing, sinning and confessing, over and over again, but occasionally, they were unrepentant, and this caused their total destruction as in the case of the refugees in Egypt around 586BC.

Jeremiah 44:15-27
"Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense to other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the [Jewish] people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying, 'As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken to you. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goes forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings to her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings to her, without our men [knowing and agreeing with us]?'..... "

... "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; You and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, 'We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her'. You will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows. Therefore hear you the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by My great name, says the LORD, that My name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD lives. Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them."

In Elijah's time, the apostasy was so great that he thought he was the only true follower of the living God left in the land, but the LORD assured him that He had "seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to [the] Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him". 1 Kings 19;18. These true followers were not readily seen by the prophet of God, because there is not always a great difference in the external worship of the true God and the Baal.

And this fact often causes problems!

How can we be sure that we are not following the baalim? We live in the time of the invisible baals, and do not appear to have even the little obvious evidence that Elijah must have seen. In these days the worship of the baalim and the Baal (and his wife) can more easily take the place of the true God in our lives than we are often aware of.

But the tremendous issues of eternity demand of us something more than a hope, or an imaginary religion, a religion of words and forms, where truth is kept in the outer court. If the genuine saints of the Old Testament bore so bright a testimony of loyalty, should not those upon whom is shining the accumulated light of centuries, bear a still more signal witness to the power of truth? See Hebrews 11.

Seventh-day Adventists therefore should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise, the second coming of the LORD Jesus Christ!

We should prepare for it by diligently studying the word of God and conforming our lives to the precepts revealed therein by the use of His power, under- standing clearly the difference between the LORD and the lord.

It is written for our admonition:

"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write to you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, 'Peace and safety'; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation". 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8.

We would do well to follow the example of Ezra the scribe. He "gathered all the copies of the law that he could find. He published copies of these amongst God's people, and became a teacher of the law and the prophecies in the schools of the prophets. The pure Word, thus diligently taught by Ezra, gave knowledge that was invaluable at that time". Letter 100, 1907. 3BC 1134. [Comment].

Three planes or levels of life

Each person in this world is made up of three parts, or natures, which are described by the apostle Paul in one of his letters as physical, mental and spiritual. He wrote, "I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless to the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ". 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Therefore, the Living God must be worshipped with all three of these aspects - body, mind and character.

But mankind now live on various planes based on those aspects. One of the three is normally "on top", or in charge of the individual. There are those who are so constituted physically as to be content with the gratification of their physical wants and desires only. These can readily be led by others who live mainly on a mental plane, for mind has ever been recognised as superior to matter. Often without realising it, the physically strong yields to his or her mental superior, and, almost unconscious of their power, the man or woman on the mental plane guides and controls those on the physical plane. They cannot help it, it is a natural law. The one leads, the other follows. Two individuals, one living on the lower plane and the other living on the higher, will never argue because of principle, for the one physically organised finds it natural to follow the dictates of the other. This is, and always has been, the condition of society. Leaders are singled out naturally because of this fact. They are born, not made, for leadership. They are few, of course, for the masses always prefer to be led.

But even here we have differences between the leaders. There are "the chiefs" and the "principal people". The difference is easily seen - one group orders while the other requests.

However, there is above the mental a still higher plane, the ladder to which is scaled by very few. As the numbers decrease while passing from the physical to the mental plane, so they decrease even more in passing from the mental to the spiritual plane. But just as the mental controls the physical without any friction, so the spiritual may control the others. The physical person depends almost entirely on knowledge gained through the senses, while the mentally developed depends more upon reason. Many, however, combine these two natures, and such individuals are guided by their sense of reason just in proportion as the two natures are developed in them.

But all too often reason is overcome by emotion.

Mankind can therefore be divided into three general groups based on these three aspects of human nature. There are those who are primarily interested in physical sensations; then there are those who enjoy mainly mental stimulation; and finally there are those folk who feel strongly in the spiritual. Baal worship caters for all three of these types of humans, for sin's temptations are so variable that all can be affected.

Four groups

But it was not as mere mental or even spiritual leaders that God called Israel out of Egypt to be the head of the nations. In addition to the above-mentioned types, are those with all three, plus LIVING principles. They are the followers of the LIVING God. They have LIVING power, the unlimited power of unselfish love, which has been given to them as a gift from the Living God.

Christians reach this highest plane of existence only by faith, for it requires constant self-denial and continual development. In reality, it is living as seeing Him who is normally invisible. Hebrews 11:27. To such a level God calls all His people. Through Moses He promises, "And the LORD shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath, if that you hearken to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day, to observe and to do them; and you shall not go aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them". Deuteronomy 28:13-14.

Four religious ways

In the religious world, the majority of the people enter into a kind of baal worship which appeals only to the physical desires and are quite content with this, not requiring more. An example can be seen in the fertility rites of some of the ancient religions, which allowed them the opportunity to express their sexual desires with the sanction of the rest of the community. It is self-love at its worst, and results in a base religion, well suited to the masses. It was often called pagan and heathen, because its followers worshipped idols in the forms of statues and carved poles, or believed whole-heartedly in the efficacy of rituals and incantation-type prayers. But it is just as readily found masquerading as Christianity today! For example, there are many professed Christians who bow down before statues, others who believe that object lessons such as baptism or the communion service confer a special standing upon the participant, and still others who believe that chanted prayers have power.

These are all well-described in the following words. They "changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen". Romans 1:23-25.

Yet this type of person may like the forms and feelings of organised religion very much.

Other professed Christians seek a deeper meaning to life through their religion and yet also enter into these rituals of great attraction because they stimulate their minds by the effort to discern their "hidden" meanings. These find it easy to use religion to worship their ancestors or other worthies of the past, calling them "saints". or "demi-gods", and praying to them to intercede for them with their god. These professors understand that the representations of the "saints", or the rituals, do not work of themselves. But they do believe that they can be used to allow easier concentration of mind power which they call "faith". Supposed miracles and other magical tricks also appeal to their minds.

Baal worship thus becomes to them a mental exercise in which the glory of the creature is elevated above that of the Creator. Therefore it is written of them, that "when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools". Romans 1:21-22. This "foolishness" leads them to establish an inner group who often look down upon the mere physical antics of the others. This "higher" group's self-esteem is deepened and their religious fervour is confirmed, for they are sure that they are "holier than them". Are they not "lords" or "priests"? But they have no real gospel power, only a religious admiration shown them by the "laity", which they then use to prey on that "lower" group.

However, their rituals and ceremonies have actually been handed down to them by yet another group, an even more "superior" section of the church, for above the physical-mental worshippers are those who are sometimes called the "elect". These often despise the physical-only and the physical-mental types, for they think that they have a spiritual understanding much above them. They would not be fooled for a moment by a pretended power in washings and organised prayers, but are quite content in the belief that God's power is all concentrated in the event of Calvary two thousand years ago. The "cross" and its multitude of meanings becomes their centre.

This last group comes under the general condemnation of the words, "Knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them". Romans 1:32. The thing which separates this group from the others is that often they actually do have a "power" in their experience, thus enabling them to blend the minds of others to their desires more easily. They become like their baal - they really become "lords", which is the ultimate desire of every natural human being. They "do the same", although often without realising it, because they think that they are above the "judgment [or daily advice] of [the living] God".

They also think that their god will bless them because they are so much like him or her.

This desire for dominion over others is expressed in a multitude of ways throughout the three sections of humanity, but reaches its peak in false religion. Here their "lord" is made to be a baal - the Baal - the ultimate one who controls everyone else. This is their conception of their god who they believe is the Living God, and therefore their god's desires become the ruling laws in their minds, and his will, his self-will, is also made to be their highest expression of worship and they are not backward in desiring to enforce it on others.

The reality

Real Christians, on the other hand, know and understand that the genuine power is within them, given with the gift of Jesus the Saviour, and that everything else is only an object lesson to point to the reality.

There is no power in any THING, only in the Living God.

They appreciate that the deep movings of the Spirit of God in the heart are the only essentials to true religion, and that forms and precise ceremonies are not, although they observe them carefully for the benefit of their neighbours. The LORD says to them, "I have taught you statutes and judgments ... Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people'." Deuteronomy 4:5-6.

Baal worship in action

Imagine if you will, this scene:-

A crowded thoroughfare in a busy city. Suddenly an angry terrorist appears, brandishing a gun. He kills and wounds several innocent bystanders, including some children, thereby instilling great fear into all the others. The police are powerless against him and all cry for help. Then a smiling "saviour" appears and disarms the offender using a special kind of martial art, without even hurting him physically. All the people sing praises to him and are very happy in their new-found Robin Hood, Batman, Superman, or whatever name they might call him by. In their minds he would be the ultimate protector of downtrodden humans, and would soon take the place of the regular civil authorities in their adoration and trust.

What kind of a god is this?

Actually, such a hero would only be a copy of "the Baal" - the god of this world - because he makes use of force! He proves this, by taking the weapon from the offender without his permission; by physically preventing him from carrying out his desire; and by refusing him his freedom even to injure others! This "gentle saviour", (a counterfeit of Jesus Christ), is a representative of all the conquerors of this earth. This is so, because he works from the principle that, "the end justifies the means". In this concept the deception of sin has reached its height! All the agencies for depraving the souls of men and women work according to this one deceptive principle. To accept this person and his methods as the ultimate "saviour" is to become bound to a way of self-destruction. Bewildered and deceived, such believers can only move on towards eternal ruin.

As a result, sin becomes their "science" and vice is consecrated as a part of their religion without them being really aware of it. The outcome of it all will be that the hostility and methods accepted by these folk in their "saviour" will eventually be directed violently against those who do live by the principles of heaven. Of course, it will all be done "for the good" of the majority! Is it not better that "one man should die for the people?", their church leaders will say. John 11:50. [Comment].

So it is today that the great bulk of the people throughout the world's religions consider their god to be one who controls and governs according to his whims and fancies. "For your own good", is their god's cry. "I must control, or guide, you and your destiny". But ultimately it is always "force" that is used, even though the iron hand is seemingly clothed in velvet, and even if the "control" or "guidance" is voluntarily submitted to!

The true God does not react in this way.

He NEVER directly restrains the actions of the wicked.

Remember Cain? When he complained that his "curse", which came as consequence of his behaviour, was too heavy for him to bear, the Son of God said that He would do His best to protect him from it, but this would require his co-operation. "The LORD said to him, Therefore whosoever slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him seven-fold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him". Genesis 4:15.

The "mark" was the mark of protection! But, Oh, how often it has been misunderstood! Instead of destroying sinners, as so many believe that He does, God sent His Son to save them, even including the first murderer. John 3:17. But because God respects the free-will that He has given to us, He allows us to develop our desires and passions even to the extent of killing each other in massive ways such as a nuclear war.

How then, is He a "God of love"? 1 John 4:8.

Because He protects each and every individual in the universe who does not reject Him and His help, BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT DETERMINED BY EACH INDIVIDUAL.

The way of it

When Jesus was threatened by an angry mob of fellow villagers, His Father did not attempt to stop them, not even with the gentlest of force. He protected His own in the true way. We are told "He [Jesus] passing through the midst of them went His way". Luke 4:28-30. And another time, "But Jesus hid Himself [from their eyes], and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by". John 8:59. Jesus desired full protection, and co-operated so faithfully with His Father, that this was complete and immediate. His faith and His works were side by side and this enabled His Father to fulfil His will and have the angels hide Him.

In the same manner, God could not prevent Daniel's enemies from casting him into the lions' den overnight. He therefore "permitted" evil angels and wicked men to accomplish their purposes to a certain extent, because Daniel did not have the same understanding as Jesus. God then used the circumstances to make the deliverance of His servant more marked, and the "defeat" of the enemies of truth and righteousness more complete, in the eyes of the world. Daniel 6:16-22. God did not engineer the circumstances, He merely used that which He was given to accomplish all the good that He could.

His intervention was even more apparent in the case of the three men in the fiery furnace! Daniel 3:23-26. The Son of God came personally to be with them.

And Peter was freed even though there were sixteen soldiers who were guarding him at the peril of their lives. Acts 12:1-11. God would have saved his guards also if He had been given the opportunity as He was able to do for the jailer of Paul and Silas. "And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house". Acts 16:27-31.

Paul was protected from the snake's venom, but not its bite, in front of those who thought that such a death would be a punishment from God. Acts 28:1-6. All these and many more which could be quoted are records of the way in which God would work every time, if He was only given the opportunity.

Harmless as doves

Jesus has given us a promise that He will protect His followers from any agency the devil may try to use in their destruction, but He will never use force in the fulfilment of this, not even of the mildest variety. He told us, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; in My name shall they cast out devils; and they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover". Mark 16:17-18.

But He also said, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves". Matthew 10:16.

The instances of protection in the life of Jesus and His followers are recorded for us as both a witness and a promise. Hebrews 12:1-2. Jesus was always fully obedient and under God's leading, which explains why He had perfect protection all the time, while others have only had partial or limited experiences of such care. In His life these episodes of protection are recorded for us, in the same way in which His baptism is related, to show us the way. Matthew 3:13-15.

However, when it came time for Him to die as our Redeemer, it is written that He said, "I lay down My life ... No man takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself". John 10:17-18. He told Pilate that he had no power to kill Him "except it were given you from above". John 19:11. As the representative sinner, He had no protection at all at Calvary, for the sins which He then accepted separated Him from His Father's protection completely, and extracted their wages. Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23.

Ezra's faith

When Ezra the man of God was entrusted with the responsibility of carrying the treasures of the temple back to Jerusalem from Babylon past many enemies and through bandit infested countries, he said, "I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way; because we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and He was intreated of us [He answered our prayer]". Ezra 8:22-23.

Ezra declared his perfect trust in the God of Israel as One abundantly able to protect and care for His people and told the king so. The monarch was deeply impressed. He made him a special representative of the Medo-Persian kingdom and conferred on him extensive powers for the carrying out of the purposes which were in his heart. Ezra 7:21, 25-26. In this matter, Ezra and his companions saw an opportunity to magnify the name of God before the heathen and they took it. But they also realised that faith in the power of the Living God would be strengthened in their own people as well as in unbelievers if they could reveal implicit trust in their divine Leader. [Comment].

They certainly knew their God.

To the extent, and no more, that we follow in the footsteps of such exemplars, we also will receive our Father's protection in times of danger. However, if we enquire carefully, we will see in their lives both positive and negative experiences. There is only one truly flawless example to follow. When we copy Christ's pattern and no other, we will also experience God's blessings to the extent that He did.

Present-day baals

Today we may not seem to worship the baals in the same open manner that they were worshipped in the past, but the essence of that worship, "the great attraction", is still with many of us. The majority of humanity want a god who will supply the sensations which they love, and who will, at the same time, give them a feeling of inner peace by being like them in that he desires the same control over others.

This desire for supremacy was not greatly apparent in the times of the patriarchs, for they were shepherds who lived in the country and had a slightly different attitude of mind. Therefore there is no great record of the worship of the baalim in their time. However, it showed itself to a tremendous degree during the reigns of the kings of Israel, coinciding with the building of large cities, which are festering places for this kind of attitude. For this reason, many true-hearted Christians, even today, prefer to live and educate their children in rural areas.

The royal households of Israel were perfect examples of this attitude as the Living God warned His people through the prophet Samuel. "Protest solemnly to them", He said, "and show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them ... He will take your sons and appoint them for himself ... his horsemen ... his chariots ... he will appoint him captains ... his ground ... his harvest ... his instruments of war ... he will take your daughters ... he will take your fields ... he will take the tenth of your seed ... he will take your menservants and your maidservants ... he will take the tenth of your sheep ... you shall cry out in that day because of your king which you shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day". 1 Samuel 8:9-18. What takers they would be!

By this warning God was telling the people that He would not be able to alter the results of their choice, but still they clamoured, "Nay, but we will have a king over us that we also may be like all the nations"! Verses 19-20. They did not, or would not, realise that to be unlike other nations in this respect, was to have a special privilege and blessing.

In the same way today, many professed Christians who say that they do not want to be like the nations, want to be like the denomi-nations round about them, and have a visible leader!

The kings and leaders that nations have are a reflection of the people they rule. In the same manner, the leaders of the religions of the world today, are a reflection of the people of those churches. For they too say, "We will have a pope, a president, a leader, a father, over us". By this, they are actually asking for a baal. They want someone else to be the responsible one for them, one on whom they can blame their troubles when things go wrong, for although many want the power of dominion, few want the responsibility of it.

On to Part Two