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The Ways of the World, ‘Ešer, and God’s People

The Ways of the World, ‘Ešer, and God’s People

Last updated on: February 3, 2024 at 5:47 pm by Martin Thomas Johnson

The Ways of the World, ‘Ešer, and God’s People 2024-02-03T17:47:29-05:00 Martin Thomas Johnson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This week Apple held its big unveiling of its first all-new product. Apple has become one of the most successful tech companies in the world but always promising consumers more. This fallen world lives off of a selfish consumer mentality.

Apple Macbook

Image by Pixabay

Many people believe the lie that the latest and greatest toys can make them happier. This materialistic perspective is based on the lies of Hedonism.

Avoidance of pain.
Easy carefree life
Promise of pleasure.

Growing up in the church in the South, I was always warned to avoid the consumer mentality of the world (Luke 12:15, Hebrews 13:5.) New isn’t always better. Things can’t satisfy our heart’s longings. You don’t need money and wealth to be happy.

Happiness

Materialism is the world’s answer to achieving happiness. It is a lie straight out of the devil’s handbook as we saw in the garden (Genesis 3:1-2.) Materialism takes our focus off of God and puts it on ourselves or the things of this world.

Shopping

Image by Pixabay

Hedonism is the belief that pleasure is the highest good and the goal of life. It is a simple perspective as old as time. It promises that things in this world can make us happy or complete.

The Christian perspective is the chief purpose of life is to glorify God and it is in Him that we are made complete and find our happiness (John 15:8, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Peter 4:11.)

It’s not that God doesn’t want us to be happy, but He is the source of our happiness. As God’s people, we are to find our purpose and happiness in God, not the temporary things of this world.

‘Ešer

Happiness is an important concept in Judaism. The main word found in the Old Testament for happiness is ‘ešer and it also means blessed, Judaism views happiness as more of a spiritual state than a physical state.

Happiness is a gift of God for His people who are made complete through Him. However, the pursuit of happiness comes with dangers. It is easy to mistake our happiness as a gift of God, even if it’s not from Him after all.

When our happiness becomes our goal it can become our God and lead us away from God. Below are the seven deadly sins we practice when happiness is our God.

Lust
Greed
Envy
Anger
sloth
Gluttony
Pride

it’s easy how to see the pride of this life can blind us to the truth. Our flesh craves temporary happiness; the Spirit offers us eternal happiness. Jesus warned His followers that it does them no good if they gain the entire world yet forfeit their souls (Matthew16 26.)

Worship God

Image by Pixabay

This world is fading, so why waste our time trying to find our happiness through it? King Solomon in his wisdom warned that the eyes of man are never satisfied by the temporary things of this life (Proverbs 27:20.)

Satisfied

Materialism says that things can satisfy our heart’s desire and complete us. Satan and this world will tempt us with temporary things to make us happy.

The first Adam bit the apple in the garden because he wanted more. The second Adam didn’t take the bait in the wilderness, because He knew God had everything he needed to make him complete and happy.

Sheep and Shepard

Image by Pixabay

The psalmist declared that God has all he needed and wanted (Psalm 23:1-6.) God’s people cannot trade the goodness of God for the goods of this cursed world.

Wealth
Fame
Power

Jesus knew that God’s people will never be satisfied by the temporary things of this life, and that is why He taught His followers to deny themselves daily (Matthew 16:24.) I am saddened by how quickly many in the church have turned from the truth to the temporary things of this world.

The Apostle Paul warned that in the last days, God’s people will become selfish and ignorant of the truth (2 Timothy 3:1-12.) Trumpism and Maga aren’t conservative or Christian beliefs, they only offer temporary happiness (ešer)!

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