Sappho wrote on Nov 20
th, 2008 at 9:33am:
God never told his flock NOT to believe in other gods. Rather God introduced the concept of other gods existing. From that point, God demanded that none of these Gods are to be held before Him.
The
concept of other 'gods' may be indicated within the Bible.....
.....[i.e. 'gods' are spoken of, not being actual Gods.]....
Psalms 82:1
God standeth in the congregation of the mighty;
he judgeth among the gods.
2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6 I have said,
Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
In their vanity, men have always imagined that they themselves, are like God.
And indeed, they
do have the power to CHOOSE between good or evil.
And this is all tied in with SATAN's trick in the garden.
To play upon man's own vanity.
Genesis 3:5
.....your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
And in their nature, men
are vain 'chancers'.
What action, or desire, will a 'strong' man withhold himself from?
Or is the question actually,
....'Why should he withhold himself??'
....when the sword arm of a man is strong!!
Human history tells us fully about human nature, and about 'real politique'.....
"Right is only in question between equals, and while the strong do what they can, the weak suffer what they must."
Thucydides (460-400 B.C.) Greek Historian
Historically, men have shown that invariably, they will always act in
their own
interests,
if it is indeed within their power.iGetting back to gods....
But elsewhere God seems quite definitive [about other 'gods'].....
Isaiah 44:1
Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:
2 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
4 And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
5 One shall say, I am the LORD'S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.
6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts;
I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
7 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.
8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses.
Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
Isaiah 45:20
Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD?
and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth:
for I am God, and there is none else.