The worship of Baal was a fertility cult complete with
temple prostitutes, it involved what is known as sympathetic magic. a type of magic based on
imitation or correspondence. Apparently
the Israelites were wholehearted participants in this worship. One thing to remember is to whom the prophet
is speaking. Here, it is to the northern
kingdom of Israel, the ten tribes we now refer to as the lost tribes. This word is given not long before they were
taken into captivity in Assyria. In
their captivity they became assimilated into the nations where they
dispersed. They lost their saltiness by
becoming like the other nations. The
great danger to the church is this very thing, that we become so like the
culture we no longer even are distinct and Christians are intended to be salt
and light to the world, distinct from it while living in it, pointing to God's
kingdom.
The calling of Matthew (Levi) was a potentially divisive
move on Jesus' part. The immediate
response of Levi in walking away from his former position was the same as the
first disciples. He, however, had a
banquet and invited all his tax collector buddies to attend to meet Jesus. The Pharisees' question of why the disciples
eat with such people, is surely one that it also on the disciples' minds. They didn't join up with Jesus with the idea
that they would be associated with such people as this. Jesus provided the answer to the question
with both grace and truth. He makes
clear that these men are indeed sinners in their work. They were contractors with Rome, bidding a
certain amount on the territory and then extorting more from the residents in
order to make the work profitable by inflating values of taxable items. Jesus was already at table with them, grace,
and yet was clear in His opinion. Next
the Pharisees decide to compare Jesus with John the Baptist and note that while
one group fasts the other feasts. Jesus'
answer points to Himself as bridegroom, certainly an arrogant statement if
untrue.
Paul is accused of being an anti-nomian, one who rejects
Law. The apostles are concerned that the
Jewish believers will be either angry or scandalized by the reputation Paul has
gained in this regard. Paul, like Jesus,
is guilty by association with "those people." He is accused of becoming too much like them,
accommodating himself and his Gospel to the Gentiles. The apostles acknowledge that they have
already spoken on the matter but they would appreciate it if Paul would make a
goodwill gesture of complying with and therefore supporting the Law by being
with and providing for some who are under a vow under the Law. Paul, amazingly, submits to their authority
and complies. The chances this will work
are quite slim.
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