A LOAD OF DIRT
II Kings 5:17-19
"So Naaman said, 'Then, if not, please let your servant be given two mule-loads of earth; for your servant will no longer offer either burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD. Yet in this thing may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon – when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD please pardon your servant in this thing.' Then [Elisha] said to him, 'Go in peace.' "
It seems strange that Naaman wanted to take dirt with him back to Syria. But I think the reason was that he was returning to a pagan culture that worshiped other gods, and he would be required by his position in that culture to bow down to a system that was antagonistic to his new faith in Yahweh. So he wanted to take something with him when he returned to Syria that would be a reminder of his faith in the true God – even if it was just dirt from Israel that was blessed by the prophet. We live in a culture that worships other gods and sometimes we are required to bow down to that culture. It is appropriate that we have symbols to remind us of our faith in the true God. A cross on a church reminds me of Jesus. Or it may be a scripture verse on the wall in my home or my kiosk at work – something that will remind me of my faith.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE – A symbol of faith will help keep the heart focused on Jesus.
[end]
Have a "reminded" day. Love you.
www.wordpress.com
II Kings 5:17-19
"So Naaman said, 'Then, if not, please let your servant be given two mule-loads of earth; for your servant will no longer offer either burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD. Yet in this thing may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon – when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD please pardon your servant in this thing.' Then [Elisha] said to him, 'Go in peace.' "
It seems strange that Naaman wanted to take dirt with him back to Syria. But I think the reason was that he was returning to a pagan culture that worshiped other gods, and he would be required by his position in that culture to bow down to a system that was antagonistic to his new faith in Yahweh. So he wanted to take something with him when he returned to Syria that would be a reminder of his faith in the true God – even if it was just dirt from Israel that was blessed by the prophet. We live in a culture that worships other gods and sometimes we are required to bow down to that culture. It is appropriate that we have symbols to remind us of our faith in the true God. A cross on a church reminds me of Jesus. Or it may be a scripture verse on the wall in my home or my kiosk at work – something that will remind me of my faith.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE – A symbol of faith will help keep the heart focused on Jesus.
[end]
Have a "reminded" day. Love you.
www.wordpress.com
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