February 5: GRACE AT WORK
“Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, To go to the gardens After an idol in the midst, Eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, Shall be consumed together,” says the LORD. Isaiah 66:17
The LORD asks His people to yield themselves entirely to Him by faith. Thus yielded, they are protected from the subtle, predatory ways of the enemy of souls. We are warned to be aware that there are wolves in sheep’s clothing among God’s people (Ezekiel 22:26-28; Zephaniah 3:1-5; Matthew 7:15; 10:16; Luke 10:3; Acts 20:29) who brazenly foster the mingling of heathen rites with the worship of God. Earlier God revealed that they adopt a “holier than thou” attitude (65:5). They may even turn a “cold shoulder” to any who do not participate in their manner of social interaction.
Sanctification calls for our total cooperation with the Lord. The danger comes when the experience of going through certain motions causes one to forget the essential internal work of the Lord. Even our sanctification must be sanctified; that is, set apart unto the Lord Himself (see John 17:17-19). This means we deliberately align with Him, empowered by His grace to give our life for His service.
Many translations of our opening verse speak of following a favorite leader – going behind a tree – the symbol for an individual. This idol in the midst will actively spread false teachings, claiming that God Himself has changed His truth to “another truth” which is actually not true at all. The eating of unclean animals serves as an identifier of such a leader and those who follow his (or her) lead (The Hebrew for such an individual is usually in the masculine gender, but in some manuscripts it is feminine, perhaps an indicator of the growing prevalence of female pastors).
The Hebrews were guilty of following the pagans in their ways of worship. Special places designated for worship of various gods and goddesses, called gardens or groves, were the scenes of unbiblical, immoral, and cruel religious ceremonies. These practices go directly against the commands of the LORD, and are easily identified through familiarity with His word.
Like the Jewish apostates of the past, many of today’s leaders claim to stand under the banner of Christ while they exult in throwing off restraints; they pretend to sanctify themselves and purify themselves by doing the very things God has explicitly said would defile them and render them unfit for fellowship with Him. Sanctification is the work of God’s grace, but every believer is called into active participation in the process.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 2 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Go farther: Exodus 31:13; Leviticus 19:2-4; 20:8; 22:32; Isaiah 65:3-5; Ezekiel 20:12; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 10:14