Deuteronomy_16

Scripture

Deuteronomy 16:21

Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build to the Lord your God

Observation - What does it say?

As Moses continues to relay God’s instructions to the people of Israel, he commands them not to set up any Asherah poles. An Asherah pole was a sacred tree or pole that stood near Canaanite religious locations to honor the pagan goddess Asherah.

Understanding - What does it mean?

God is jealous for our love and worship.

Jesus himself quoted Deuteronomy when Satan tried to tempt Jesus to bow down to him. He said, “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” God doesn’t just want part of us, part of our hearts, part of our worship, part of our love. He desires and deserves our entire lives and all our lives contain.

AW Tozer in his book, The Pursuit of God, says our problem is not that we don’t seek God. Our problem is that we seek God and ____. God and money, God and pleasure, God and achievements, etc. It is in the “and” that we run into problems and find ourselves distracted and our hearts divided and not fully committed to God.

Life Application

I may not have any statues or shrines in my house or sing praises to other gods. But, does God have my whole heart and my whole life? Are there other things I have been pursuing that have taken away from my worship to God, my love for him, the time I spend with him?

God, may our hearts not be divided. I give you all of me because you gave it all for me. Please reveal to us the ‘and’s in our life and give us hearts that are consumed with love for you and passion for living out your will above all else. Amen.

- Levi Thompson