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MTG, Šāḥâ, And Mother’s Day

MTG, Šāḥâ, And Mother’s Day

Last updated on: September 11, 2024 at 12:50 pm by Martin Thomas Johnson

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MTG, Šāḥâ, And Mother’s Day 2024-09-11T12:50:46-04:00 Martin Thomas Johnson

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This week was another volatile week in conservative politics. A disgraced representative from my home state tried to use her position and power to oust the speaker of the house because he wasn’t bowing to her and MAGA’s demands.

Representative Greene has become obsessed with control and convincing the GOP to only serve and protect criminal Trump and it further displays the corruption of a once-conservative party.

Deception
Greed
Obsession with power

Ms. Greene and MAGA have forgotten about how America began and broke free from Britain’s oppressive control. Colonists feared losing their freedoms and wanted to worship God freely.

George Washington

Image by Wikipedia Commons

In the early days of American politics, we had a unified government that served all of the people. Our Constitution mentions nothing of political parties and our founding fathers distrusted the idea of political parties.

The anti-Federalists feared the president would become too powerful. Perhaps, they understood man’s sinful nature worships control and power.

Worship

Worship is defined as, “To honor or show great reverence for a divine being or supernatural power; regard with a great or extravagant respect or devotion.”

Worship

Image by Pixabay

Worship is more than a song, it is whatever or whomever we give our reverence or focus to. Everyone worships someone or something, even if they aren’t spiritual. God understood this and that is why Christianity has a lot to say about worship (Job 1:20-21, Psalm 29:2, Luke 4:8, John 4:24, Hebrews 12:28-29.)

The Apostle Paul constantly reminded the early church to place their hope in and to worship God (1 Corinthians 10:31, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Romans 12:1-4, Philippians 2:9-10.) The Apostle Paul’s admonitions reminded the early church of their Jewish foundations.

Šāḥâ****

Worship is a big part of Judaism because God’s people are called to worship God alone (Exodus 23:25, Psalm 150:6, Isaiah 25:1, Daniel 4:27.) The Hebrew word for worship in the Old Testament is šāḥâ and it can also mean, “Bow down, prostrate oneself or reverence,” depending upon the context used*.*

Ten commandments.

Image by Pixabay

The intent is obvious for the worshiper; we humble ourselves so that God alone may be exalted. We serve God alone because He is Lord over all. Judaism values worshiping God, because the world worships other gods.

Upon God’s deliverance from Egypt and their foreign gods, the Israelites often strayed from God and worshiped foreign gods during the journey to the Promised Land. God knows even His people aren’t immune from foolishly worshiping other gods.

Judaism takes idol worship seriously, that is why God gave His people the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) to help them worship God alone.

Do not have any other gods.
Do not make or worship idols.
Do not disrespect or misuse God’s name.
Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
Honor your mother and father.
Do not commit murder.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not steal.
Do not tell lies.
Do not be envious of others.

Jesus emphasized the need to love and worship God alone (Matthew 22:37, Luke 16:13, John 4:20-24; 14-15.) Jesus had seen God’s people and others foolishly worship temporary things of this life.

God’s people are called to worship the Creator, not the creation. Our sinful nature distorts what we worship. I saw this firsthand with my father over 20 years ago, while my father knelled beside my mother’s hospital bed because he “loved her with all of his heart.

Mother’s Day

This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day to honor their sacrifices and show respect for all they do for their families. We are commanded by God to honor our mothers (Exodus 20:12, Matthew 15:4.)

Mother's Day

Image by Pixabay

We honor our parents, but we cannot worship them or any other person in our lives, because that is idol worship. My mother believed the cliché that if mom isn’t happy, no one else in the home should be.

Mothers bring children into the world, but they are not the children’s world. The Torah teaches there is a time for children to leave the home and make lives for themselves (Genesis 2:24.)

Careers
Marriage
Raising their own children

However, we must worship God over all, because only He has total control and is worthy of our worship. Mother’s Day is a day to show appreciation for our mothers only. We cannot worship them or any other person, especially politicians who want to be worshiped.

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