12 Then they brought the captives and the plunder and the spoil to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and to the congregation of the people of Israel, at the camp on the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 13 Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the chiefs of the congregation went to meet them outside the camp. 14 And Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, who had come from service in the war. 15 Moses said to them, “Have you let all the women live? 16 Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord.” ~ Numbers 31:12-16
In the book of Numbers, Israel wars against Midian, the LORD commanded Moses to avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. But when Israel went out to fight, they killed the kings, they killed the soldiers, but the women, they kept alive along with their children. They plundered all of Midian’s goods and destroyed and burned all of their encampments.
Then, after the fighting was finished and they came back to camp, the first thing that is listed is the captives. They brought the captives and the plunder to Moses and Eleazar and the congregation of the people of Israel. They brought the things that were devoted to destruction into the congregation of Israel. In other words, they brought the things of darkness into the presence of the LORD their God.
The soldiers brought the accursed things into their own territory and into the presence of God, knowing that it was this very thing; these were the very women who had caused Israel to sin against their God in the first place. This is the same thing we are doing when we bring:
- Tarot Cards
- Ouija Boards
- Horoscopes
- And yes, Halloween and its paraphernalia into our homes
We have essentially brought the accursed things into our lives, which opens up spiritual doors, just like Moses told the soldiers.
To the soldiers, it seemed like a small matter. They thought this is the most humane thing to do; Moses will be pleased with us. When in reality, they were displeasing the LORD.
We think the same way when we claim, oh, brother Kenny, get over yourself. It’s only a pumpkin; God isn’t gonna be angry with us for carving a silly pumpkin.
But that is how Satan presents evil. He makes it appear innocent. It’s nothing; God won’t even notice, much less care. Well, let me just tell you, God does notice, and God does care, and if it defiles you, then that is cause for discipline. Because whom God loves, God disciplines.
Father, open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, and my mind to understand and know the things that please You and the things that displease You that I may always be found in the center of Your good and perfect will. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
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