When the people of Israel suffered severely in Egypt, God used Moses and brought them out of the Pharaoh’s oppression. Even after that, He parted the water of the Red sea to rescue the people from the Egyptian army. During their lives in the wilderness, He gave Manna and quail so they can eat food. He also made them hit a rock so they can get spring water to drink.
Likewise, God granted them such grace with many miracles and wonders. However, the Israelites made an idol in the shape of a calf and worshiped it as their own god. By doing this, they despised the Lord in the worst way.
Idolatry is one of the evilest acts of betraying God. In a word, the idol worshiper is a betrayer and a traitor. God says those who worship idols will be cursed for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 20:3~5). Originally, God is love. However, He is so angry by idolatry. Therefore, God curses idol worshipers unto the third and fourth generations. Every time that the Israelites betrayed the grace of God and worshipped an idol, God didn’t stay still. He made them pay for their sins.
Turning away from God is also betrayal. The book of 1st King 11:9 said, “the Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel.”. How could Solomon who received a lot of grace, blessing, love, and wisdom from God turn away from the Lord? Nevertheless, Solomon forgot the Lord’s grace and betrayed Him by turning away from God. As result, he had his life ended in misery.
When you are betrayed by people in the world, you will be extremely upset by being humiliated. God created all things on earth and gave love and grace to humans. When humans betrayed God, His heart will be broken painfully. I pray for you not to betray God but to give thanks to Him for His love and grace.
Pastor Seok-Jeon Yoon
Extracted from Yonsei Newspaper #775
