The Habits of Bad Company are Contagious Deuteronomy 7
Your parents told you to be careful who you spent time with because "bad company corrupts".God had the same advice for the Israelites. We find a whole chapter on it in Deuteronomy chapter 7. Moses is instructing the children of the unfaithful generation of Israelites, that have now all passed away; before they enter and conquer the promised land. God knew that Israel, just like all of us, would be easily influenced and enticed the people they spent time with. They were still learning to trust God and follow His ways. The ways of the people in Canaan were evil, and Israel was not ready to face this temptation. God knew that the consequences would be disastrous if they did not clear out the land. He did not want His children to end up with the consequences of the nations around them, these were His chosen people. God had chose Israel to be set apart for Himself, and to receive special blessings. He told them to wipe the slate clean in this new land. If it seems like a harsh command, and it was. Moses gave them a clear directive from God "follow my commands so that I can lavish my blessings on you, if you don't and you follow idols like these other nations I cannot give you all I have in store for you".
God knew that just like cancer, if the Israelites allowed even a small piece of these idolatrous nations to stay, the cancer would infect them completely, and the consequences would be catastrophic. Israel does not obey and this is eventually what happens.
We will see Israel choose bad friendships, and bad habits over a loving God.
In the New Testament book of Ephesians chapter one, Paul tells us that this same message is available to another people, the Gentiles, He calls it a great mystery, that all things (Jews and Gentiles) will be brought into unity under Jesus Christ and because of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:7-14
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we(the Israelites), who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you (the gentiles) also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
TID ITS FROM DEUTERONOMY 7:
- 7:6 God reminds Israel that He chose them. He did not choose them on their own merit, but He chose them because He loved them.
- 7:8 Moses tells them to obey because you were chosen.
- God asks Israel to obey so that He can give them the blessing and protection He wants to give them.
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