I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands
were set free from the basket . . . But my people would not listen to me
(Psalm 81:6,11).
This is a sad psalm where the writer voices the sentiments
of Yahweh. These few verses thumbnail the entire Israeli experience: slavery,
exodus, wilderness, choice, failure, consequence. In the days before their
river crossing into Canaan, Moses gave his farewell address, admonishing the
people to choose wisely. Their choice could be summarized as: Choose Yahweh
or choose the gods of Canaan.
On the game show Let’s Make a Deal (NBC/ABC 1963-1976 – not to mention its
current incarnation on CBS with Wayne Brady), host Monty Hall tempted
contestants to trade the prize in their hands for an unknown prize behind
Door #3. Once they made their deal,
the door was opened and the result of their choice was displayed for all to see.
Likewise, time after time the Israelites rejected the prize
they had (Yahweh), trying to trade up by choosing Door #3 (foreign
gods).
Although they made a big show of affirming their fidelity to
Yahweh, in reality, at almost every turn they went the wrong way and followed
false gods. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts (v. 12). In other words: You get to
choose, but you have to live with the consequences.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Have you ever been warned
about the consequences of making a wrong choice, and made the wrong choice
anyway? What did you learn?
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