Verse 7–Gospel in a Cinquain
Falsehood
Idolatrous, Traitorous
Worshiping, Following, Dying
They wanted to make their own gods.
Worthlessness
For a time after the fall people did call upon the name of the Lord. Genesis 4:26
But I find it interesting that God banished Cain from the land he knew and from God's presence. Cain had to go to Nod to fulfill that. Does that mean that God was only present among Adam and Eve's household and whatever land that included? Amazing too, God kicked them out of the garden but He remained with them. He didn't just abandon them. They had to face the consequences but they were able to do it with His presence still among them.
But eventually, they did not care about that and because of the nature of man became more and more evil until:
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5 (ESV)
Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence.
And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. Genesis 6:11-12 (ESV)
Except Noah who walked with God still.
“ ‘You shall have no other gods before me.
“ ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. Deuteronomy 5:7-10 (ESV)
“What is in your mind shall never happen—the thought, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the tribes of the countries, and worship wood and stone.’ Ezekiel 20:32 (ESV)
And this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods and walked in the customs of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel, and in the customs that the kings of Israel had practiced. And the people of Israel did secretly against the LORD their God things that were not right. They built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city. They set up for themselves pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree, and there they made offerings on all the high places, as the nations did whom the LORD carried away before them. And they did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger, and they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, “You shall not do this.” 2 Kings 17:7-12 (ESV)
Emptiness - Darkness - Worthless
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. Proverbs 4:19 (ESV)
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8 (ESV)
... or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Ephesians 5:5-11 (ESV)
I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD. Psalm 31:6 (ESV)
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Psalm 96:5 (ESV)
All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods! Psalm 97:7 (ESV)
Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them.
They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish. Jeremiah 51:17-18 (ESV)
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Romans 3:12 (ESV)
Our encouragement is this:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV)
Whew!
Christmas Cardinal-Draft
Psalm 148 – Everything Praise The Lord
