Sin is often a forgotten topic in today’s churches. We will now look at some of the words Jehovah uses to show His complete denouncement of sin. What does sin look like to a Holy GOD? The first word is detestable which is a thing done to bring disgust and loathsome to Jehovah. What is the penalty for such an act?
Deuteronomy 17:1 "You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep which has a blemish or any defect, for that is a detestable thing to the LORD your God.
First, worship is a holy act of reverence and honor to Jehovah. What offering you bring must not be contaminated by the world or not worthy of bringing before His throne.
17:2 "If there is found in your midst, in any of your towns, which the LORD your God is giving you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, by transgressing His covenant, 17:3 and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, which I have not commanded,
Jehovah is the only true and living GOD. He demands, commands, and deserves all the honor and glory and worship we can offer. He will not share any of this with anyone or anything else. However, Satan has created every other type of worship and idol known to man. The world is deceived into denying worship to Jehovah and instead worshiping other gods, idols, people, etc.
17:4 and if it is told you and you have heard of it, then you shall inquire thoroughly. Behold, if it is true and the thing certain that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, 17:5 then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil deed to your gates, that is, the man or the woman, and you shall stone them to death.
17:6 "On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.
Jehovah insists on punishing sinners. Here we see that if two or three witnesses confirm this gross violation of Jehovah’s Law, they are to be stoned. Stoning is a very public, community or assembly undertaking. Everyone gathers, not just to watch, but to also throw the stones. Why?
17:7 "The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
Sin within each of us is like a cancer. It starts small and often goes unnoticed or unrealized. But, it will grow within us and, unless we confess and repent, it will kill us. Within the body of believers, it acts in the same manner. Sinners entice and encourage others to join them in their sin. We are enticed by our flesh, our friends, and sadly to say our leaders. Here is a short passage from Jeremiah that addresses this very important truth.
Jeremiah 23:11 "For both prophet and priest are polluted; Even in My house I have found their wickedness," declares the LORD.
23:12 "Therefore their way will be like slippery paths to them, They will be driven away into the gloom and fall down in it; For I will bring calamity upon them, The year of their punishment," declares the LORD.
23:13 "Moreover, among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray.
23:14 "Also among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: The committing of adultery and walking in falsehood; And they strengthen the hands of evildoers, So that no one has turned back from his wickedness. All of them have become to Me like Sodom, And her inhabitants like Gomorrah.
23:15 "Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets, 'Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood And make them drink poisonous water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Pollution has gone forth into all the land.'"
23:16 Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the LORD.
Prophets, priests, kings and princes all led people astray, just as they do today. False teachers, bishops, priests, rabbis and pastors join in this detestable act even today.
Jehovah’s warnings are for us today, Do not listen to them! They may say ‘thus says the LORD, but it is not.
More next Saturday.