"When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, 'The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites, For they have takes some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass.' "
Ezra 9:1-2
During the Babylonian captivity, the people of Israel were dispersed to other alien lands. In those countries, they were infected with the "ites" disease, which caused them to forsake the law of God and become enmeshed in the surrounding culture of those nations. These were godless cultures and the holy seed was compromised. It still happens today. Many Christians have become "mixed" with the surrounding cultres, marrying themselves to the godless customs of this alien land, compromising their "holy seed." God calls us to "come out and be separate" (II Corinthians 6:17), and to "be not conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2), lest we become victims on the "ites" disease. We must be "in the world" but need not be "of the world."
Today's Thought: Marrying ourselves to the surrounding cultures compromises our holiness.
Have a separated day. Love you.
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