In the book of Ezekiel God revealed that he was going to destroy Egypt. He also revealed in Ezekiel chapter 30 verse 13a, that one of the judgments he was going to bring against Egypt was the destruction of their idols. "Thus saith the Lord God; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph...". The city of Noph, which is better known as Memphis, was not only the capital of ancient Egypt but it was also the center of worship for the Egyptians.

For many years God pleaded with the Jews to repent of their idolatry which they practiced in Jerusalem. They had gone so far as to bring idols into God's temple. When they refused to repent, God had the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem.

The rebellion against God became worse when some of the Jews fled to Egypt to escape from Nebuchadrezzar and his army. By doing this they disobeyed God's command to submit to Nebuchadrezzer.

Once in Egypt they continued in their idolatry by worshiping the gods of the Egyptians. They trusted in the man made idols of Egypt rather than the true and living God. When God's people remained in Egypt worshiping and serving idols, God destroyed Egypt and their idols. God showed his people that the idols they had been worshiping were powerless to help them or the Egyptians.

Some folks today are wondering if God is judging America. If we look at what is happening in and to our country in the light of God's Word, it seems to be a very real possibility. I believe that God is judging America and is going to destroy the most worshiped idol in America, an idol that is worshiped throughout the world. Many professing Christians also worship this idol. You may ask, "Which idol?"

Take a coin from your pocket, or any denomination bill from your billfold or purse. Now read Psalm 135 verses 15 through 18 while pausing at the end of each verse to look at the face side of the coin or bill.

Psalm 135

15 The idols of the heathen are silver
and gold, the work of men's hands.

16 They have mouths, but they speak not;
eyes have they, but they see not;

17 They have ears, but they hear not;
neither is there any breath in their mouths.

18 They that make them are like unto them:
so is every one that trusteth in them.

Money is not evil. Having a lot of money doesn't make one evil. The problem is not money. The problem is, and always has been, when we love and trust in anything or anyone more than in God himself.
God tells us this in I Timothy chapter 6 verse 10,

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

The problem is not money, but the love of money.

It is no secret that money is the idol which many people worship and serve. In fact many Christians, and more than a few churches, seem to rely on and trust money rather than in the Lord. Like the Jews who fled to Egypt, many Christians have turned their backs to God and fled to the world, and the things of this world, for happiness and security.

As a nation, we have long ago turned from the true and living God to serve mammon. We have trusted in our money to deliver us from our problems and have turned a deaf ear to the only one who can truly save us. We have loved money more than we have loved God. The Bible warns us that this is idolatry, and that he will not tolerate this for long. Since God loves us he will correct us by destroying our idol just as he destroyed the idols of Egypt.

In fact, as the world witnesses global economic devastation, we might conclude he is doing so right now. God is showing us that the idols of Egypt (the world) are powerless to help us.

It is past time for us to repent of our idolatry. Let us not make the same mistake as those who fled Jerusalem only to be destroyed in Egypt. Let us not trust in money or the things of this world. Let each one of us heed God's plea to turn to him by believing and trusting in Jesus Christ with all our heart.

Jesus can and will save us from both the penalty and power of sin, if we trust him. This is something our money can never do, no matter how much we may have.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts chapter 16, verse 31. - Pastor Guest