Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 23:13.
“Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be on your guard; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard from your mouth.” Exodus 23:13.
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This law follows the first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3.
Sometimes, laws give the reason for their existence as we saw yesterday in the immediate preceding verse. For example, we read: “Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.” Exodus 23:12.
We could speculate on the reason for the law in today’s Scripture, but we may be wrong, and this law stands alone without stating the reason for its existence.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:7.
But, how often does a preacher and teacher think he is excused from the law to not mention the name of other gods, because he is teaching history or supporting his good point which justifies it!
“… be on your guard; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard from your mouth.” Verse 13.
Is it profitable to personify and name things as if she or he had a mind of her own? Could that not tempt others to fear them as a god?
There could be a better way to describe those things.
But, whether or not there is a better way to describe those things, “… be on your guard; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard from your mouth.” Verse 13.
“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.
“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.
“To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD, He is God; there is no other besides Him. Out of the heavens He let you hear His voice to discipline you; and on earth He let you see His great fire, and you heard His words from the midst of the fire. Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them. And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power, driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in and to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is today. Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the LORD your God is giving you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:35-40.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 