Wednesday, 11 August 2021

This is Edgy

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This is edgy. If you are used to reading these devotionals to children, this is one you may want to skip. Sometimes the Bible says tough things. To be faithful, we have to repeat them and give them context. The Scriptures use the Hebrew word "Zanah" which has a number of translations, but only one understanding. Basically, it means unfaithfulness. Possible translations are prostitution, harlotry, and figuratively idolatry. So "Zanat" is the opposite of "Ne'eman" (from which we get our word "Amen") meaning eternally faithful.

In our reading for today, we have this verse - Hosea 5:4 They will not give up their evil deeds to return to their God. For a spirit of prostitution is in them, and Adonai they have not known. That "spirit of prostitution" is "Ruach Z'nunim." While the above Scripture is written about "they' or "them," as always, we must read it in light of our own situation. And to do that, we have to understand this biblical term a little better.

Biblically speaking, a prostitute is not a victim of human trafficking, but one who gives up on a great loving marriage (based on grace) to willingly enter into a works (pay for performance) arrangement that isn't even worthy of being mentioned in the same conversation with a faithful marriage.

God is offering us (His children) the best of everything (now and forever)! When we allow the attractions of this world to supersede our attraction to God, we are prostituting ourselves out of the marriage He is freely giving, and settling for that works aberration that is not even fit to be called a relationship. Let's not allow that error to become an open door in our lives.

We must not tolerate that lying spirit of prostitution. Revelation 2:20 But this I have against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess ... yet she is teaching and deceiving My servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. Rise up and receive the blessings of God. Proverbs 28:2a A faithful man will have many blessings.