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Eze. 6:3-4 3 And say [amar], Ye mountains [har] of Israel [Yisra'el], hear [shama] the word [dabar] of the Lord [Adonay] GOD [Yahovih]; Thus saith [amar] the Lord [Adonay] GOD [Yahovih] to the mountains [har], and to the hills [gib`ah], to the rivers [aphiyq], and to the valleys [gay]; Behold, I, even I, will bring [bow] a sword [chereb] upon you, and I will destroy [abad] your high places [bamah]. 4 And your altars [mizbeach] shall be desolate [shamem], and your images [chamman] shall be broken [shabar]: and I will cast down [naphal] your slain [chalal] men before [paniym] your idols [gilluwl]. KJV-Interlinear 3 and say,' Mountains of Israel, listen to the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains, the hills, the ravines and the valleys: 'Behold, I Myself am going to bring a sword on you, and I will destroy your high places. 4 'So your altars will become desolate, and your incense altars will be smashed; and I shall make your slain fall in front of your idols. NASB
To all of the alternative priorities of all manner of peoples in Israel. These are people of all statures in life, the high and mighty, the wealthy and popular, the titled and well placed people, and to the poor of the land, those who have little, who have little talent, little in the way of connections or resources, and to everyone in between. To the mountains, the hills, and the ravines and valleys. To all who live in the country and of whom have hidden their souls from God and who have replaced His counsel with other priorities in life.
To all of these is coming a sword, a mechanism of discipline and/or judgment. Choose to live in the jungle and receive its policy toward all of its occupants. Which is the eventual destruction of all who live within its boundaries.
The sword (discipline/judgment) will come and wipe out all of your alternate and substituted priorities and chosen patterns of life. Patterns which are contrary to that which God prefers of everyone. Ignore God, the one and only source of support in this universe, and you have elected to receive your sustenance for life from the jungle which offers nothing but the fog of life and a lie as its promise.
Buy a dead horse, invest in it and you will never get anything out of it but the pleasure of a blind and deaf man admiring his dead horse, showing off his dead horse to others who are also blind and deaf (spiritually) in their souls.
The alters, incense alters, and idols make reference to all of mans imaginations in life regarding to his own defined future.
The alter of the Tabernacle is the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. Mans alternative is his own definition of salvation.
Live a good life, be good and courteous and God will approve of you - a lie.
Live for today and get what you can while you can, and get ahead at the expense of everyone else, and you will do well from the energy of your own efforts - a lie.
Invent another god and worship at his alter and you will do well - a lie.
Do whatever you like in life just as long as you don't bring harm to anyone else and you will do well - a lie.
There is no god, no future after death so what is the point - a lie.
Alter Gods principles taught in the Bible just a little, such that it will be ok, and you will do well - a lie.
Live an honest life and have good intentions, and be sincere - a lie.
I was born wealthy, gifted, well connected, titled, talented, intelligent, so I am obviously favored by God and will do well - a lie.
I was born poor or middle class, average, not so pretty, not so talented, not so gifted, not so bright, handicapped in many ways, so God obviously has given me a bad rap in life - a lie.
So the range of opinions goes from, 'I am the chosen,' to 'I have been screwed,' in life. And, neither could be further from the truth. There is only one salvation and it is readily available to anyone who can breathe. Believe in Christ, and that is all there is to it. The playing field for getting into the field of the spiritual life is level and available to anyone and everyone.
The incense alters are the prayers offered, the self evaluations for blessing, the works and efforts that mankind does in order to justify his life to God or to anyone or anything out there who cares.
If I pray to God he will hear me and care - a lie.
If I am sincere in my prayers, God will hear me - a lie.
If I work hard in life, then God will see my work and bless me for my effort - a lie.
If I am honest and sincere, then God will bless me - a lie.
There is no god so I can do anything in life and get ahead based on my own effort - a lie.
Life is all hard work, and luck, and connections, so roll the dice and let life rip - a lie.
Life isn't worth it so why try - a lie.
My problems are due to everyone else's fault - a lie.
There is only one incense which satisfies God and that is of the work of Christ on the Cross. There is only one incense which satisfies God, and that is the function of Bible doctrine in the soul. There is only one incense which God hears and that is the prayers of the spiritually advancing believer 'in fellowship' who offers prayer consistent with Gods policy and plan.
And as for the idols of life. These are anything on which are the focus of your beliefs. For some it might be work, your career or field of interest. For some it might be your hobby which you love. For some it might be the television. For some it might be the various escapes from reality through drugs or alcohol. For some it might be pursuits of happiness or pleasure. For some it is another religion. For some it is the social life. For some it is your goal or goals in life. For some it might be your ancestry or culture or heritage which is bigger than life, in your life. For some it might be politics or a crusade of some type, or your self appointed standards.
You do not have to be bowing down before wood or stone idols, but when you ignore God and do not have doctrine constantly flowing through your soul, then your focus will be directed at something else in life. That something becomes your idol of worship.
God and doctrine are the only truth and the only objects of true worship in this universe. All other objects of attention (worship) are lies.
All false alters, all false incense, all idols are nothing more than an investment in a dead horse. So love your dead horse, hold your dead horse, kiss your dead horse, hug your dead horse, sleep with your dead horse, and what will you gain from it? The smell of a dead horse!
Since no one can smell their own foul odor, then even that isn't perceived as bad to the negative person.
All of these objects of attention and opinion will be destroyed one day. So why do we invest in them?
End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
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