EPISODE 10 MORALITY - WARNINGS TO ISRAEL

EPISODE 10 MORALITY - WARNINGS TO ISRAEL

The second theme in the five themes of history is the foundation for national stability. The Creator said to Abraham, “I will make your name great and you will be a blessing.” Then He described Abraham’s role. “For I have chosen him so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” Genesis 18:19

The future of the most stable nation in human history was founded on the role of the father. He was not only there, in the home, but had the role of overseeing the education of his children, the focus of the education was training in what is right and what is good. The father’s responsibility to train extended to everyone closely connected with the family. The instruction gives great importance to the father, the children and the family. When Israel was following the ways of their Creator, the woman’s greatest honor was the children she birthed and loved.

The father’s role is a principle in science that can be confirmed in the history of the Jews and their educational and cultural accomplishments. The intentional absence of a father can be statistically demonstrated as a handicap to his children.

It is basic logic that sexual morality is based on protecting the children, the family, and the marriage. The central focus of education is teaching character, wisdom, justice and love for God and others.  

As the Israelites were preparing to enter the land promised to Abraham, Moses was instructed to give this warning to the people. They are principles related to the dangers of the misuse of sexuality. These destroy children, marriages, families, and nations.

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the Lord your God. You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.

‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother … Do not have sexual relations with your sister … Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter.” The list of adulteries and incest includes sixteen specific descriptions.

God had told Abraham that his descendants would not inherit the Promised Land until the evil of the Amorites had been fulfilled. The list of sexual perversions God gave to Moses were practiced by the Amorites. That list also included these two warnings:

 “‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.’

 ‘Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.’

‘Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled.” Leviticus 18:3-28

The practices of sacrificing children to Molech and sex with animals apparently began in the Minoan Empire. The Minoans were a seafaring, trading civilization that dominated the Mediterranean at the time overlapping Abraham’s lifetime. Archaeology confirms that Minoans traded actively with Egypt and Canaan and had a strong influence on their cultures. Greek mythology records the Minoan tradition of sacrificing children to the god Molech. It was adopted by the Amorites.

In Canaan and Carthage, North Africa, the god Molech was a bronze statue with the body of a man and the head of a bull. The human arms were extended and a fire set beneath it. Children were tossed into the red hot arms of the god and dropped into the fire at its feet. Mothers were warned not to cry or moan. Drums and musical instruments were used to cover the screams of the children. The purposes for child sacrifices ranged from a plea for rain to protection from enemies by their false god. Great numbers of urns have been found on the floor of the Mediterranean Sea containing the charred bones of children. Child sacrifice and sex with animals was practiced and the Israelites were warned against it.

Children were highly valued by the Israelites. But at times the God Molech was worshiped by Israelites with the sacrifice of children. It speaks to the powerful influence that the false beliefs of other cultures can exert.

The protection and training of children and grandchildren is also important to the maturation of adults. In raising children we learn to look to the needs of others. It increases focus on others rather than self in our value system. Love for our children lends to increasing the bond of love in marriage. Children find their security in the  love between their parents. It is in the daily life of their parents that they learn how a husband loves his wife and trains his family. And they learn how a wife loves her husband and her children. These are the foundations of a healthy culture and nation.

They are values instilled by a love for our Creator and a relationship with Him.

In Part 3 we will review America’s moral trends.

Next, in Part 2 we will view the truth about life that our Creator exhibited, the potential for a fulfilling life and personal significance in His universe.