The History of Redemption Project - Part 5

Illustration by Christopher Koelle

Then the Lord brought Israel up from the Land of Egypt and redeemed them from the house of slavery.  But they did not keep God's covenant and refused to walk according to his law.  They forgot the works and the wonders that he had shown them.  When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly.  They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer.  But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues.  They even sacrificed their sons and daughters to the demons, they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters.  (Micah 6:4, Ps. 78:10-11, Ps. 78:34-36, Ps. 106:37, Ps. 106:38)  Passages taken from The History of Redemption.

I often think that as we read about Israel's unfaithfulness to God, we do so with a smug, self-righteous attitude.  How could they possibly forget all the signs and miracles that he performed as he brought them out of slavery in Egypt?  Why would Israel so eagerly turn its back on the One True God to follow after idols?  Why couldn't they get their act together, instead of engaging in an ongoing cycle of disobedience followed by repentance?  And how could anyone ever sacrifice his sons and daughters to demons?  How barbaric! 


If you click on the picture, you will see the detail at the bottom of the illustration.  Subtly situated underneath the graphic depiction of the child sacrifice, the author drew a number of unborn children at various stages of development - with their umbilical cords attached, representing another form of child sacrifice. The truth of the matter is that any one of us is capable of the most grotesque behavior apart from the grace of God. And we are all guilty of more sin and disobedience to God than we are capable of mentally processing.  Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be fully aware of every sin you committed in thought, word, and deed?  The weight of guilt would be unbearable!  The question to be asked is, "What will you do with all that guilt?"