S) "25 But they acted treacherously against the God of their fathers and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them."
1 Chronicles 5:25 (NASB)
O) There is a duality at work here, that takes the infidelity of the people (in this case, they are the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) to a new level. Their rebellion against God is bad, on its own, but what makes takes the transgression from there, to treachery, is the betrayal that is defined by the last line above, "Whom God had destroyed before them." I don't think it is as simple as the people turning away from God, as it is they turned toward the just-defeated-gods. See, the LORD had destroyed the people before the Israelites, proving Himself as living, active, and mighty. Then, after a relatively short time period, the Israelites turn to serve the gods who had previously failed the inhabitants of the land, in their fight against the LORD and the Israelites! They weren't just cheating on God, they were cheating on God, with God's enemies!
A) The truth is, any infidelity against God, is going to be with His enemies. I guess the truly insulting part is that these enemies had been so recently, openly, clearly defeated by Him. In my own life, this might shamefully look like having close, romantic, good sex with my wife, and then looking at porn the next day. It could really manifest in any spiritual/physical instance of God giving a victory, and me turning my back on it and Him, to chase the just-defeated enemy. Another example could be the same as God providing for me financially, and then me turning around to become obsessed/worried about financial security. I need to honor God at all times, but victories can, and should, be used to increase my focus and devotion to Him, to give me an opportunity to fix my gaze on His goodness, worthiness, and sovereignty in my life.
P) Father, everyone and everything that is not for You, or of You, is really against You. I need to remember that if I am not fully committed to You in all things, then I am most likely putting myself against You, allying with Your enemies unwittingly. Make me fully aware of my allegiances, God. I do not want to be fooled. Open my eyes to see, disciplining me, in my devotion to You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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