 We’re sitting in the backseat of one of nine white SUV’s getting ready to start our last day of exploring Saudi Arabia. My friend Sonja asks me if I’ve discovered my “takeaway” yet on this amazing adventure. My mind was suddenly overwhelmed with all the places we’ve explored over the last 9 days starting with Egypt and culminating in the wilderness of Sinai.
The first word that popped in my head was “Pathways” – granted, we just spent every day exploring the evidence of the Exodus so naturally, our ventures continued to lead us through the pathways that YHWH provided for His people. I was able to immediately personalize it, remembering pathways He has created throughout my life to draw me closer to Him. However, I felt there was still much more to take away from this amazing expedition, so I knew I had to wait. We had one more day left and then a very long journey home. I needed quiet time to reflect, to pray, to listen. After being home for a few days my body was still on Saudi Arabia time so my days were beginning at 2am. It was at this early morning hour that I was distinctly reminded of a verse that jumped off the page of my Scriptures years ago. Don’t you love it when during your prayer and listening time, His Word so clearly is spoken in your being? It’s as if He is reading it out loud, but just for you. “And He brought us out from there, to bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers.” Deuteronomy (Debarim) 6:23 As believers, we desire to one day be “brought in”. We hope to be included in the greater exodus, the regathering of His people. We want to be remembered and accepted when the Master, our Messiah, opens the door to the wedding feast and be given the invitation to sit at His table as His bride (Matthew 25:1-13, Revelation 19:7-9). So, if we desire to be brought in, we must first allow Him to guide us out. The question is, out of where and out of what? Since we were children, most of us have read the story of the exodus and the deliverance of the Yisraelites many times. It becomes even more clear and profound when you can be surrounded in their “where” (Egypt) touring several museums to witness the “what” (culture and beliefs) they were immersed in. Everywhere you turn there are inscriptions, statues, and historical evidence that the Egyptians worshipped other foreign gods outside of the One true Elohim. Some of the major “players” on this list are as follows:
Phew… that’s a lot to absorb (and it’s just scratching the surface) however, as an observer thousands of years later, I see all these foreign gods were an overwhelming distraction from YHWH, just as the adversary desires. I felt it was important to briefly mention these pagan gods because they will come up again later in this discussion. While we know the exodus involved the freedom of the Yisraelites from slavery we cannot ignore the purpose of that freedom. To be liberated and guided onto the Covenant Path that YHWH established long ago (Deut 6:23-25). To worship and serve the One true Elohim and to make His Name known (Exodus 9:16). To be a set-apart people - examples to the Nations around them – to show how to live according to the instructions of the Creator of the world (Exodus 19:5,6; 1 Peter 2:9). That was the purpose of being set free, and that was the purpose of being “brought out.” “For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have the expectation.” Romans 15:4 I posted some pictures on my Facebook page after we returned of the day we visited the location of the crossing of the Red Sea. We were on the Saudi Arabia side which seemed extra special knowing they reached this side and witnessed the miraculous pathway into a safe space. Imagine the exhilaration as they then watched the walls of water collapse and drown Pharaoh’s army! However, it didn’t take long for them to conjure up some mistrust and doubt wondering whether their Deliverer would still deliver. They had many tests (10 to be exact) to endure and persevere in proving to YHWH that they trusted Him and belonged to Him. In fact, Deuteronomy chapter 8 is very eye opening lesson as YHWH states that He used tests to “try, prove and to see what was in their hearts” and if they chose to trust and follow Him. The Golden Calf I don’t believe it was a coincidence that our entourage of 9 SUV’s rolled up to the altar of the Golden Calf on Easter Sunday. It was a stark reminder that while they came “out” of Egypt, the ways of the Egyptians were still “in” them. As we walked around this massive altar with petroglyphs of calves on several sides, we couldn’t ignore how even today many cling to the traditions they inherited. Could some of the most widely observed traditions trace back to the ancient behaviors of the past? We had just left Egypt days before and witnessed the many ancient carvings and statues of Hathor (the bull cow) along with drawings of Pharaoh suckling on Hathor. This idea of a “cow god” was nothing new to the Yisraelites. In fact, Aaron felt it was best to appease the people by molding a calf and deciding to call it a “Festival to YHWH” (Exodus 32:5). I think a lot of people miss that perfect example of syncretism. Syncretism: the attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion Many years ago, while in my Christian walk, I missed that lesson and I would have missed that lesson at the very altar on that day if I hadn’t been awakened to our inherited traditions years ago. When I discovered that Easter originated from the ancient pagan tradition of giving worship to Ishtar, the goddess of fertility (listed above), I easily gave that up and repented. Originally, I didn’t know any better, but when I knew, I purged it from my life. I couldn’t label it as “Resurrection Day” because then I’d be doing just as Aaron did, taking an ancient ritual of worshipping a foreign/pagan god and then calling it a “Festival to YHWH.” Easter (Ishtar) has some gruesome historical rituals involving sacrificing babies and dipping eggs in their blood to dye them, among other abominations. That should be enough to make someone step back, hit the pause button and examine all the traditions they participate in. Sadly, the Appointed Time of Passover prescribed by our Creator is the one the one overlooked and ignored by the masses, while Ishtar day is widely accepted. Passover is the “holiday” we are to observe and remember as our Messiah Yahushua states, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19) The rehearsal and observance of the Passover has been morphed and reduced to a “communion” and cheated into being labeled “The last supper” as if it was just Yahushua’s last dinner time. When clearly we can read it was a Passover meal (Luke 22) and observed just as Scripture commands in Exodus 12 and 13, Leviticus 23:5, Numbers 9, Numbers 28:16 and Deuteronomy 16:1,2. In fact, it is commanded to be a “remembrance”, “throughout your generations”, “everlasting”, and “forever”. So here we were, gazing at this massive altar to Hathor – a huge mistake of the past and yet for most believers, nothing has changed. It saddened us but also made us realize that “there’s nothing new under the sun.” Syncretism is just as prevalent now as it was then. While I understand the majority who participate in Easter Sunday is truly unaware of its origins, I also have witnessed many who simply turn a blind eye once they do know. Keep in mind, the Yisrealites already knew better. They had heard the Commandments (the Ten Words) verbally from the actually voice of YHWH (Exodus 20). They also were warned several additional times not to bow down to idols or worship other gods (Exodus 23:24,32,33). I wonder if the Yisraelites proclaimed, “But that’s not what it means to me!” right before their judgement. I can’t recall Moses taking a survey on what it meant to them. In fact, all that mattered is what it meant to YHWH. And I do not believe that has changed today. “I am YHWH, I do not change” Malachi 3:6 This golden calf incident was another test. YHWH wanted to see who was ready, who was clean, and who truly wanted to reside with Him. We cannot reside in Him while refusing to come out of the filth. “Come out of her My people, lest you share in her sins and receive her plagues.” Revelation 18:4 “…guard yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them…and that you do not inquire about their mighty ones, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their mighty ones? And let me do so too.’ Do not do so to YHWH your Elohim, for every abomination which YHWH hates they have done to their mighty ones, for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their mighty ones.” Deuteronomy (Debarim) 12:30,31 “And what union has the dwelling place of Elohim with idols? For you are a dwelling place of the living Elohim, as YHWH has said, ‘I shall dwell in them and walk among them, and I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says YHWH, and do not touch what is unclean, and I shall receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:16,17 The above verse is very clear. Come out, then He will receive you. While we fully rely on the washing away of our sins by the pure blood of our Redeemer, Yahushua, there is still action required on our part. That action is to NOT go back to the sinful life we just repented from. The Yisraelites are a prime example again of this fact. Remember, they had relied on the blood applied on their doorposts on Passover night. They were saved from death of the firstborn. Yet, these same people later intentionally disobeyed and were then destroyed. They were not getting in as their hearts never came out of Egypt and their actions proved it. What a profound lesson to learn from the past! Remember the verse in Romans previously discussed? “For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have the expectation.” Romans 15:4 There is a way to get in and not be shut out. “Blessed are those doing His Commands, so that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of life, and to enter through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14 So, this was one of my takeaways on the incredible journey through the wilderness. It was amazing to walk where the Yisraelites walked. I was also overwhelmed with awe and emotions when seeing with our own eyes the very mountain where YHWH met with His people, Mt. Sinai. Stay tuned for The Takeaway (part 2) which will be focused on that mountain, the Mountain of Elohim. To learn more about pagan holidays: Pagan Holidays by Todd D Bennett An eye-opening book for believers: Dear Believer, by Carrie Forman Visit The Journey Back Blog webpage for more topics on adding fullness to faith Comments are closed.
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