When We Take The Easy Path

Choosing To Compromise

In the years 336 – 323 BC, Alexander the Great was leader of the known world. He “fought many battles, conquered strongholds, put kings to death, advanced to the ends of the earth and plundered nations” (Apoc.). He ruled the world for 12 years. The Jewish people had hoped for continued economic stability, as they had under the rule of the Ptolemaic kings, even Cleopatra. But this was not to be so. 

Alexander the Great called his closest and most respected military officers and divided the nations among them. Under this new leadership, “many evils were caused upon the earth” (Apoc. 199).

As is usually the case, insiders decided “Since we have separated from the Gentiles around us, many disasters have come upon us”. A proposal was made to bow to the new kings of the land (in this region it was Antiochus Epiphanes) rather than seek God for a solution to the hardships they were experiencing. I find it interesting that we usually give in and return to the familiar, rather than embrace the present circumstance and seek God. I tell you, this is hard! When faced with a tough decision, and I have been there many times, I go back in search of ease, rather than seek God’s face for direction. Could it be that God permitted these things in order to advance His cause? The question then is where do I fit into this narrative? Is God asking for something new? Is He asking me to adopt a new strategy or to stretch my faith beyond what I am accustomed to? Every time I face a mountain, it’s an opportunity for God to remove it. Unfortunately, most times I take the long and hard road of going around the mountain or allowing the mountain to fall on me (smh). God, give me faith to face this one!

So, a minority of people, influential ones, made a proposal to “observe the ordinances of the Gentiles”. Remember now, Gentiles to the Jews represented the enemy, the world. What did they do? Well, they appeased the king and “built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom”. A Jamaican would say “What a piece a (of) disgrace!” These Jewish leaders brought one of the greatest symbols of Greek culture right in their home. That’s like some of the strategies we now adopt in our churches. You know what I am talking about. Sometimes one has to wonder what’s going on in some of our churches. Don’t forget about values we adopt that govern our personal life from the world – totally disrespecting our bodies…we are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19). Let me quote the text in context:

¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶ Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”  (1 Corinthians 6:15-16).

Hopefully I made the point that we must consider alliances which lead to compromise. These leaders did not do this. Again, instead of seeking God for a solution, a better way, they deceived themselves. Look at the downward trend. A minority convinced the majority (who were gullible), and made policy decisions for all, which led to a downward spiral of compromise:

·         They built, according to the Gentile customs (adopt worldly customs)

·         They removed the marks of circumcision (throw out doctrine)

·         The abandoned the Holy covenant (contempt for God)

·         The joined with the Gentiles (unholy alliances)

·         They sold themselves to do evil (eventually we exchange the truth for a lie)

Take note. History tends to repeat itself, and we usually tend to make the same mistakes over and over again. When we get to the next crossroad, let’s take a page from this time in history – Take the hard-rugged path. Look to God. No compromise! God will come through for you (and me).
According to the Apocrypha, years later, after the Gentiles were present in Jerusalem (the king seeking to strengthen his hand):

• He shed much blood
• He spoke with great arrogance
• Israel mourned deeply in every community
• The rulers and elders groaned (bad leadership)
• Young women and young men became faint (feeling hopeless)
• The beauty of the women faded

Compromise always hurts (later). It never usually looks that way at the beginning. Later, around 168 BCE, the temple of God was stripped of its values, Jerusalem plundered, burned, its houses torn down, along with the surrounding walls, the children and women taken captive, along with their livestock. The king then placed "sinful renegades" to rule the land. Jerusalem became "a dwelling of strangers". You could not recognize her anymore.Talk about a devastation. Talk about letting other people run your life; talk about becoming a slave to a decision. The wiping out of a culture. God allowed it to happen; the consequence of a decision. The easy route is usually the one to avoid. Do not allow the enemy to do this to you through compromise. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, rather be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).

References:

Annotated Apocrypha. Oxford Press (2010)

GoogleImage.

Written by Kevin A. Hall (02.15.18)