June 30 Isaiah 10-12; II Chronicles 28 Warning from Sinful Self-Assurance (Pride)

In Isaiah 10, God expresses the source of His anger against Assyria. His statement can apply to ALL sinful self-assurance that is likely to bring God's rod of chastisement. He says, "By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, because I have understanding." God explains the stupidity of that statement by saying, "As if a rod were to wield him who lifts it up, or a club brandish him who is not wood." God whistled for the Assyrians to punish Judah and Israel and God empowered them for success. For the Assyrians to boast of their strength is an act of ignorant pride, which will bring chastisement from the LORD.

Let's learn from this. All we have and do are gifts from the mighty hand of God. For all of "our" accomplishments, let us rightly give God all of the credit. praise God because He chooses to use us for His fame. Let's make sure we point to Him for His fame when we succeed. it is He who is really succeeding.

June 29 Isaiah 7-9 Let God's Word Judge All "Advice"

Isaiah 8:19-22 is an interesting piece of teaching on judging any "advice" or guidance that we are getting from people (even in the form of declared prophecy) or that we think we are hearing God tell us. How do we know if it is really guidance from God Almighty.

Mediums and spiritists and other enquiries of God - "to the Law and to the testimony!" Any supposed guidance from God directly or through another man must be measured against what is contained in the Bible. God will never contradict Himself. His word contained in the Bible is infallible. Any guidance form anyone must be measured against God's Word. If it contradicts clear Biblical direction, then the "advice" is bad - discard it.

In addition, God's Word says to never consult spiritists and mediums. So, the guidance they were getting to do so was bad. It floows that any guidance from those sources should not be listened to

June 28 II Kings 15-17 Not Knowing the Times

God has begun to intensify the curses He promised for gross disobedience. The people did not listen to the signs of the times. They have no one to blame for what is and will happen - certainly not God - He promised these things in Torah and sent the prophets to remind people.

Pray that we all remain open to hearing the truth about ourselves to avoid our own self-destructive patterns.

June 27 Micah 6-7 God is Not a Burden

I was moved by God's question in Ch 6 - "How have I burdened you?" Apparently, the people felt that God and His ways were a burden. many people do today, also - in and out of Christianity.

God answered by reminding the people of all He had done for them.

When I recall all that God has done for me - most of all through Christ - WHATEVER he might ask of me seems small - even though it be my whole life. That's why it is so important to really seek to understand all that God is, has done, is doing, and will accomplish for me. Without that understanding, His call on my life might seem like a burden. Through His Word, we can all know.

Psalm 103:2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

June 26 Micah 3-5 Prophets Need Real Power

In Micah 3, the LORD rebukes the leaders, priests, and prophets for misleading the people. I'd like to focus on what is said about the prophets.

The false prophets profess what will be pleasing to the people hearing their message - "peace." Proclaiming an unwelcome message will result in the people "waging war." God is angry at both the false prophets for their false message and at the people for creating an unwelcome atmosphere to hear from the LORD.

Micah declares, "I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD (being filled with the Spirit as opposed to the Spirit being upon a person is very rare in the OT - another whole study for another day - the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the OT) and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob (the Jewish people) his transgression, to Israel his sin." In such an unwelcoming atmosphere to bad news, God empowers Micah to preach TRUTH to His people. Micah preaches the message from God for the people, not a message from the people (what they want to hear) for the people.

It is like a person going to a doctor for a physical. The person makes it uncomfortable for the doctor to give bad news. So, the doctor doesn't disclose that the person has a deadly, but easily curable disease. Instead, the doctor says everything is great, the person is happy, and then they die needlessly. This is criminal on the part of the doctor and crazy on the part of the patient. That is exactly what was going on in Israel between the prophets and the people. Of course, the prophets willing to speak were all quacks!

We as people need to be open to unpleasant truth about ourselves from God's word. Every Sunday (daily if we read the Scriptures ourselves), we should be convicted of the sin in our life if the preacher is preaching truth. We should encourage (Hebrews 13:17) a truth teller in the pulpit and support that ministry.

If you have a preacher in the pulpit who faithfully preaches the truth of God's Word weekly without hesitation, then thank God for Him and then thank your preacher often. Don't take faithfulness in the pulpit for granted. And respond to God's truth - it will cure you!

If you are a pastor, be empowered by the Holy Spirit and pray often for a fresh filling of Him. You can't do this hard work on your own - the atmosphere is just too tough.

June 25 Micah 1-2 Abusing Power

Chapter 2 speaks about the abuse of power in vv. 1-2, Micah talks about those who plot iniquity and then "carry it out because it is in their power  to do it." This should cause us all to think about the power (money, influence, position, etc.) and authority (leader in home, church, civic, work, etc.) and to think about how we might be carrying out and acting complicit with injustice being carried out against others.We too often accept injustice and become impervious to its implementation all around us, and sadly, under our power and authority. Why, because it will cost us something to fight against it - power, authority, standing, time, money, etc. The pronouncement of the LORD's retribution by Micah should cause us to pause.Let's also think about how we could use our power and authority in our homes, workplace, etc. to do good.

June 24 Isaiah 1-5; II Kings 15 God Controls Nations

Isaiah presents a side of God that rounds out His character - He punishes His people who reject Him. Isaiah reports in Chapter 5 that God "lifts up a banner for distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth." God works world events and the hearts of kings to bring judgment against His disobedient people.

Too many people see God as a permissive, over-indulgent parent who looks the other way at people's sins. He doesn't and He isn't. Sin and rebellion grieve God. God is willing to forgive repenters, but He is not willing to let us go our own way without chastisement - to bring us to Him.

The bible tells us to fear God. Jesus said to fear the one that could throw us in hell. God deserves our fear (terror) because of His complete power and His judgment to us. But He also deserves our reverence for His holiness and unconditional love toward His people. God loves all people and wants a relationship with all - so much that He sent His Son to die for us - but He will not overlook sin or forgive those who reject Him.

June 23 Isaiah 1-5 The Criticality of the LORD's Protection

Today's reading is about the injustice in Judah that rendered its religiosity distasteful to God. The LORD promises coming judgment. In Chapter 5, God says, "I will take away its hedge and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled."

The context of those comments are within a passage where God is referring to His people as a vineyard. Apparently, God provides a hedge of protection around His people - most presumably from the wiles of Satan and his minions - the LORD provides protection - but he can also remove it. Yes, the judgment will come to Judah in the form of real live visible humans called the Babylonian Empire, but only because the LORD has allowed world events to make them strong and Judah weak. Alternatively, david's and Solomon's empires grew and were at peace because of the blessings upon them and the calamities and wars between their adversaries that made them weak.

Those happenings are on a large regional stage, but the same holds true for us in our personal lives. We need the hedge and walls from Satan's attacks that only God can provide. Obedience and prayer bring the LORD's protection. We should pray daily (or more) for God's protection. Satan is real and so are His attacks. We are puny against him - but God isn't - Satan is puny before God. We need God's protection - be obedient and pray for it.

June 22 Amos 7:10-17; II Kings 14-15; II Chronicles 26:16-21 Humbling the Proud

The account of the downfall of King Uzziah is in Scripture to warn us all about our problem of pride. Our pride can well up in ourselves when we become success and possibly "powerful," like King Uzziah. We are led by our pride to step over our God-given boundaries into the forbidden. For most of us, most of the time, we will experience natural consequences that might only lead to a rebuke, other times to our downfall, once in a while to our destruction like King Uzziah.

In this account, we see the graciousness and love of God present. Azariah and 80 other priests have the courage to confront King Uzziah - this was God's attempt to warn the king to turn away from what he was about to do. Instead of seeing this as God's grace and mercy being extended to him, King Uzziah got angry and persisted - only to his own destruction. God gave him a way out - he chose not to take it.

This is a good reminder to be aware of pride and to listen to the Holy Spirit, WHO speaks to us through other people.

June 21 Amos 5-9 Justice and Righteousness Must Be Continuous

Amos takes dead aim on the emptiness of religious ritual devoid of societal justice and unethical religious observations. In Chapter 5, Amos relates God's hatred of the Israelites sacrifices, festivals, and singing in a society filled with injustice and unrighteousness.

Amos says, "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream." Water was a valuable resource in Israel. Rivers are few and most streams were wadis - dry except during the rainy season, if it rains! A river or a never-failing stream would be of great value in the land - a sure source of life - of refreshment - so are justice and righteousness. I wouldn't press the difference between the two - both relate to people doing the right things (according to God) to and for each other. God expects these to be a constant. If they are, He loves our worship.

Worship should fill our entire lives - not just at service on Sunday mornings. It is how we relate to God all week and how we relate to people all week. Living in God's will all week makes our Sunday Service worship pleasing to God. Otherwise, we are just going through religious motions - empty and not pleasing to God. In fact, as stated in Amos, God HATES it.

June 20 Amos 1-4 Have You Agreed to Walk With God?

Amos is prophesying against a wayward people - the Jews who are quite active in religious festivities, but far away from God ethically. Their daily lives gave no evidence to their supposed relationship with the LORD, who they "worshiped."

Amos poses a great question to them in Chapter 3 - "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" The answer is, "Of course not!" The Jewish people agreed to walk in the ways of the LORD way back at Mt. Sinai with Moses. Yet, over the years, they have forgotten their commitment. God is going to remind them with terrifying discipline. His people have become not His people.

There are many people that supposedly received Christ early on in life, perhaps in a High School youth group. Then their lives take on the look of someone who has no relationship at all to Christ. We never know who is really saved, but by my study of Scripture, I would say that they really never agreed to walk together with God. On the night that they had their religious experience, they perhaps wanted eternal security or the favor of their peers or whatever, but did they really agree to walk with God - to live a life of continually repentance - submitting progressively to the word of God - to be progressive transformed into the likeness of Christ - to be sanctified. They wanted Christ as Savior from the penalty of their sins - but they wanted to retained their lifestyle of sins. Were they saved? I think probably not, but only the LORD knows for sure.

When we are saved, God gives us the wont to be sanctified. There is no such things as fruitless Christians. I will be preaching on Romans 6 this weekend. Shall we go on sinning. By no means. We died to sin.

June 19 Hosea 10-14; II Kings 14-15 The Heart of God

In Chapter 11, God says, "For I am God, and not man - the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath."  Although Israel deserves destruction and to be forgotten by God as idolaters, God's grace and love does not allow Him to forsake them - as they have forsaken Him. In these words, we are given a glimpse into the heart of God.

Although we ALL deserve to be forsaken because of our waywardness, God can not - it is not in His character to act like us - whew - that is great news. He will never leave us nor forsake us. God will discipline us as part of His grace, but he will not extract punishment for our sin - He loves us too much. Christ was already punished for our sin - if you have trusted Christ for your salvation.

June 18 Hosea 4-9 Mercy Not Sacrifice, Relationship Not Religion

Hosea's most famous verse is, "I desire mercy not sacrifice, acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings." Apparently this people who have strayed far from the ways of God were very religious. They still must have been offering the LORD sacrifices and burnt offerings. The problem was two fold - they were also worshiping other gods - the LORD was just just one god in their polytheistic view of the world - they were also worshiping idols (likenesses of their false gods. Their other issue was how they were treating other people - bloodshed, corruption, etc. The kings were wicked and the prophets and priests were worthless - not teaching the people about God, what He was like, what He required of them. They must have been liberal Jews teaching the people their own fictional beliefs about God.

It is not that God didn't want sacrifices and burnt offering, but made through a lifestyle of mercy (lovingkindness, the Hebrew word, hesed) and acknowledging the one, true, and living God ONLY.

Today, God still wants us rooted in His word - so we know Who He is - what He requires of us - why He loves us so much. God doesn't want our empty perfunctory religious ceremonies lived out of a secular humanistic reliance on self without real regard for Him and our fellow man. God wants us to know Him above all else and to worship Him moment by moment through a lifestyle befitting Him.

June 17 Hosea 1-3 Not Acknowledging God

In Chapter 2, the text says, "She [Israel] has not acknowledged that I (the LORD) was the one Who gave her the grain, the new wine, and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold - which they used for Baal." The Israelites' problem was rooted in not acknowledging the One Who gave them their daily provisions and great wealth. Once they forsook their anchor, their worship led them to false gods and human trust.

We need to be faithful to Jesus Christ and to worship Him as the One from whom all blessings flow. We need to stay anchored in this safe harbor. If we acknowledge the one, true, and living God as our sustainer and provider, we will stay on firm ground.

Once we begin to forget to worship God for whom we are totally dependent, we begin to drift. We start trusting in ourselves, in others, and begin to worship man-made gods that reinforce our own independence.

Stay rooted in the LORD. Life (this one's and the next) will go much better.

June 16 Jonah - Guard Against Christian Exclusivism

The pagans feared what the LORD might do if they threw Jonah overboard. Nonetheless, Jonah encouraged them. Once Jonah was in the ocean away from the pagans, the Lord made the sea calm. Seeing the power of God, they repented before the LORD and began to worship Him - they became believers! But Jonah was in the water and knew none of this.

After Jonah was saved, he said a prayer of thanksgiving. Included in his prayer was a slam against the pagans who serve idols. Most assuredly, he was thinking of the the former pagans on board. But little did he know that they repented.

The Book of Jonah speaks against unrepentant Israel, who had the Law and all of the blessings of knowing the LORD and His word. Yet, we see great repentance by the heathens on the ship and the Ninevites.

We, as Christians, need to be careful that we are continually living a life of repentance - as we are confronted with our sin, we must be willing to recognize our sin and walk from it - rather run from it. Unbelievers all over the world are repenting and receiving Christ as savior. Let's not get so haughty and forget that we are ALL sinners before our holy God. Just because we are privileged to grow up in a Christian home in a so-called Christian country, like Israel was in Jonah's time, we are not any better than anyone else. Those in our country who claim to be Christians because they grew up in a Christian household, have some sort of casual relationship with a church, and live as a pagan, need to heed the message of Jonah and realize God will actually treat them more harshly on the Day of Judgment for ignoring all of the spiritual benefits poured out on them.

June 15 II Kings 14 Trusting in Our Own Selves

As Amaziah consolidated and organized his military force (perfectly reasonable), he concocted an idea to hire 100,000 mercenaries from Israel. from a worldly stand point, this seems like a great idea - more men to fight = a better chance of military victory. He paid over three tons of silver for the men.

The problem with this thinking is that it leaves out the supernatural intervening of God in the affairs of men. This kind of thinking is deism - God exists, He made the world, but is far away and does not intervene in the affairs of this world. Although the Old and New Testaments both teach that God does intervene and controls all things ultimately (sovereignty of God), Amaziah and we live our lives more like deists.We make unholy alliances that look good on paper (date and marry "nice" unbelievers, get into business partnerships with sharp unbelievers, etc.) put aside God to go after worldly pursuits (skip church because we have too much work to do, don't read our Bibles because we have to leave early for work, etc.).

The man of God replied, "The LORD can give you much more than that." Fundamentally, we have to decide if we believe this or if we believe, "Only I through my best efforts can obtain that." The former is never to be used as an excuse for laziness. We should be good stewards and work hard, but only to the extent that we never forsake God and the things of God.

June 14 II Kings 12-13 The Value of Mentoring

I can't help but think of Jehoida along with Joash. As long as jehoida was alive, Joash was a good king and brought great material and spiritual prosperity through His devotion to the LORD. As soon as Jehoida died, Joash and his pagan advisors took Judah down a destructive path.

Godly mentors are worth their weight in gold. Everyone should seek out a godly advisor further down the road the spiritual road than they. Likewise, everyone should be willing to mentor another behind them. Read today's reading again to convince yourself about the profound affect that a godly mentor can have on another.

June 13 Joel - A Call to Repent

The Prophet Joel tells the people that the cloud of locusts that has enveloped and ravaged the land is from the LORD - a punishment for their sin. Joel urges the people to repent or an army from the north will come upon them like an army of locusts to cover the land and ravage it.

Then Joel looks forward to the coming of the Messiah when the Holy Spirit will be poured out on all men and women who call on the LORD. At that point in redemptive history, only certain people were empowered by the Holy Spirit. When the Messiah comes, all believers will be. Peter quoted this section of Joel in Acts 2 to explain the giving of tongues at Pentecost.

But Joel continues on to warn all people of the coming final judgment. It will be a dreadful day for all who do not call on the LORD to be saved.

In Joel 1:13ff, Joel calls for a fast, a holy assembly, and crying out to the LORD for mercy. Fasting is an important Christian discipline that has been greatly overlooked. It is talked about often in the Bible and not really administered. I think it has been overlooked because it is hard and because it is not commanded. Too many people are driven by what they are commanded to do, but not enough by what they see godly believers do in the Bible. Wee, too many times ask, "What must I do?" instead of "What can I do?"

June 12 II Chronicles 22-23 Satan Almost Wipes Out the Line of Christ

Athaliah, a daughter of evil King Ahab (and a daughter of Jezebel), almost succeeded in wiping out the Royal  Line of King David - the line of Christ, Himself. But God through His providence saved one son through a priest, Jehoida - a real hero for the LORD.

King Jehoshaphat had his son marry Athaliah. This royal marriage between children of the kings of Israel and Judah was done to keep peace between the kingdoms. However, this ungodly union almost led to the demise of the line of Christ. Again, the Bible warns us about the possible consequences of being unequally yoked - this consequence was generations later and almost affected all of humanity.

The people of God are called to be godly - an aspect of godliness is to be equally yoked with other godly people of God.

NOTE: All caught up. Please forgive me for getting behind on my posts.

June 11 II Kings 10-11 Jehu, Anointed Avenger for the LORD

jehu is an interesting agent for the LORD. he was anointed to rid Israel of the idolatrous plague of the House of Ahab and Jezebel, all of which was prophesied by God long before. But Jehu was never empowered by God to kill anyone in the king's household from Judah. King Ahaziah was indeed killed by Jehu. This was an act that he initiated. Was the Kingdom of Israel handed to him by God not enough - did he want the Kingdom of Judah, too?

We are to be servants of God. When god gives us something to do, we should remember that we are doing it for Him and His glory alone. it is too easy to think that God is blessing us for our kingdom building.

June 10 II Kings 5-8 There is More Going On Than We Can See

II Kings 6;13-18 teaches a powerful lesson about the unseen world. There are angels and demons that exist among us unseen doing battle among us. Yes, this sounds spooky, but the Bible talks about the conflict going on beside us, yet unseen. The good news for those in the LORD is that "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

prayer is a way to ask God to marshal His forces to protect us. make no mistake, the enemy forces are seeking to destroy us - they are more powerful than us - but puny against the forces of our God. praying for protection should be part of our daily prayer routine.

June 9 Obadiah Know Any Edomites?

Edom was settled by the descendants of Esau, the son of Isaac, the brother of Jacob. They settled in what became known as Edom - the area south of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba.

Obadiah is a prophecy that the Edomites will be punished out of existence for their hostility against Israel, who is their brother nation. How many Edomites do you know? Remember Indiana Jones and his search for the Holy Grail? At the end of the movie, he was lead to an ancient city carved into the side of a mountain - that was Petra - a city of former Edom - desolate and now a tourist attraction.

Obadiah is a great reading against all pride. God will lay low all of the haughty. God punishes pride. God equated hostility against His people as hostility against Him. He still does! Stay humble or get humble. James 4:6 But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Go for the grace - you don't want God opposing you.

June 8 II Kings 3, II Chronicles 21 Reasons for Everything

Today the reason for the alliance between evil King Ahab and otherwise godly King Jehoshaphat is revealed - Jehoshaphat had his son Jehoram marry Ahab's daughter. this marriage is a common ploy among kings as a way to ensure peace between the two kingdoms. Peace between the two kingdoms did occur, but King Jehoram turns out to be an evil king who forsook the ways of the LORD and his father. Jehoram slew all of his brothers and other princes to solidify his hold on the kingdom of Judah. I think it a reasonably good presumption to believe that his wife and her family at least influenced all of this ungodly behavior.

Parents, teach your children to be equally yoked and encourage them to not even date an unbeliever. Eventually, they will make their own decisions, but please don't encourage behavior that the Bible discourages over and over again.

The results of this unholy union will still be played out in the Bible - stay tuned for the long term ramifications of this unholy union and notice how many people are affected by this sin.

June 6 I Kings 22, II Kings 1-2; II Chronicles 19-20 Unequally Yoked

When we hear the term, unequally yoked, we immediately think of marriage. Certainly, in marriage, Christians should only marry other Christians. Like-minded values require those of similar values to be in harmony. Of course, we have seen a number of instances in the Bible where the LORD has put forth this principle.

This principle holds true for all of our close relationships in life. Jehoshaphat should never allied with the evil, idol worshiping King Ahab, even though he was a Jew. This was an unholy alliance. They were physical brothers (both descendants of Abraham), but not spiritual brothers (the more important characteristic).

The reason for the principle is illustrated in the text - evil corrupts good. Micaiah, the prophet of the LORD, prophesied against going into battle. Even Jehoshaphat did not listen. Instead, he followed evil Ahab into battle.

As we read further, we will find out how this relationship almost broke the line of Christ (not really - God would never let that happen, but it took His supernatural provision to prevent it). We will find out why this relationship was so strong.

Saints, we are to be in the world, but not of the world. We are to know and engage unbelievers - to love them - be their friends - but not to enter into close alliances like marriage, business partners, etc. - where their ungodly values will clash with Biblical values and cause us to go astray to keep harmony in the worldly relationship (and cause a rift in our relationship with God). None of us want to hear, "the wrath of the LORD is upon you."

God is not trying to restrict us and ruin our lives - He is trying to preserve our lives - He always has something better for us.

June 5 I Kings 20-22 What I Want to Hear - Better Than Truth?

Ahab didn't like to hear the prophecies of Micaiah because he always prophesied bad about Ahab. Though Micaiah was a true prophet of the LORD, Ahab preferred the lying prophets who gave him what he wanted to hear. So, is what we want to hear better than the truth of God? Well, it depends! If you want truth, good or bad, then we should look to the LORD. But, if you want someone to affirm what you want to do or hear, then there are plenty of those people around.

Ahab wanted to hear what he wanted to hear - as we will learn tomorrow, that advice cost him his life.

Saints, seek the wisdom of the LORD in His Word. True, God's Word will convicts us (to keep us from hurting God, others, and ourselves), steer us from what we want to do (toward what we should do), and compel us to do uncomfortable acts (that comfort others or glorify God.

June 4 I Kings 17-19 Spiritual Depression

Elijah fell into spiritual depression after his mountaintop experience with the prophets of Baal. He, like many of us, set his expectations as truth - the people returning en mass to the LORD and Ahab to stop letting his wife rule the kingdom - but neither happened. He thought that his faithfulness and God's show of force would win the day - it didn't. So he thought it was him all alone - again. The truth is that Elijah was never alone and still wasn't - the LORD was with him.

Our faithfulness to the LORD and His faithfulness to us should always be sufficient. If they are, we can avoid spiritual depression and even emotional depression. We can be sad when evil persists and bad things happen to good people, but we won't be broken and depressed. When we start thinking it is all about us and our performance, we can get in danger of depression when bad things happen.

Remember, God is always with us to refresh us. It is not about His power - it is about His presence. Return to Him for refreshment when you are feeling spiritually dry.

June 3 I Kings 14-16; II Chronicles Bible and Blessing

II Chronicles 17 speaks of Jehoshaphat sending Levites and priests throughout the land teaching Torah (Book of the Law) to all the people. Then, peace and safety fell upon the land. There is a tacit assumption that the people began to obey the land. The text is making a strong tie began blessing and obedience to Go's Word - which God promised the Jewish people throughout their existence.

But Jesus also said the seek first His kingdom and righteousness and all these other things will also be given. When we live in obedience to God's Word, we live by habits that our best for us. God doesn't promise a life without trouble, but He does promise us a way to navigate the troubled waters - Him - and His ways!

When we seek to conquer the world under our own power, our success will be hit or miss. Death will eventually come - and then judgment.

June 2 I Kings 14-15 The Sin of Jeroboam

Throughout most of the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, you will read about "the sin of Jeroboam."  The sin that is referred to is the appointment of anyone who wanted to be a priest, creating high places to worship gods on, and the making of the two calf idols in Dan and Bethel representing the LORD. Jeroboam created a man-made religion that was idol worshiping polytheism. Yes, the LORD was worshiped, but as one of many gods that the people paid homage to.

Our Lord, Yahweh, is a jealous God and desires to share worship with no other god of man's making. In addition, Yahweh is who He says He is, not who man says He is. He must be believed.