06/07/2024
*COME AND DINE:*
*Title: Coveting the Babylonian Garments:*
*Text: Joshua 7:19-21*
*[19]* And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.
*[20]* And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
*[21]* When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
We are going to explore the profound lesson embedded in the biblical narrative of *Coveting The Babylonian Garments.* By drawing from both the Old and New Testaments, *we will uncover the dangers of coveting, the deep biblical meaning, the root causes, and the symbolic significance of Babylonian fashions.* We will also learn how to distinguish between Babylonian garments and believers' garments, and how to apply this understanding to enhance our evangelical missions.
*1. The Story of Achan and the Babylonian Garments:* Joshua 7:21 (ESV) "When I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath."
The Israelites had just achieved victory at Jericho, but they faced defeat at Ai because of one man's sin. Achan's coveting of the Babylonian garments led to Israel's temporary downfall.
*2. Understanding Coveting:* Exodus 20:17 (ESV) "You shall not *Covet* your neighbor's house; you shall not *Covet* your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."
*Meaning:* The Hebrew word *called (chamad)* signifies *a strong desire or lust for something that belongs to someone else.* It is more than mere admiration; it is an unhealthy longing that can lead to sinful actions.
*3. The Dangers of Coveting:* Colossians 3:5 (ESV) "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and *Covetousness,* which is idolatry."
The Greek word called *(pleonexia)* is often translated as *Covetousness or greed, and it is equated with idolatry because it places desires for material things above God.*
*4. The Root Causes of Coveting: Discontentment:* When we are not satisfied with what God has given to us, we begin to *Covet* what others have.
*Lack of Faith:* *Coveting* reveals a lack of trust in God's provision and timing.
*Pride and Envy:* These sins lead us to compare ourselves with others and desire their possessions.
*5. Symbolic Meaning of Babylonian Fashions:* Revelation 18:3 (ESV) "For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living."
*Symbolism:* Babylon in the Bible often represents a system of worldly wealth, luxury, and corruption that stands in opposition to God's kingdom. The Babylonian garments symbolizes materialism, pride, and moral compromise.
*6. Difference Between Babylonian Garments and Believers' Garments:* Isaiah 61:10 (ESV) "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
*Believers' Garments:* Represent righteousness, salvation, and purity provided by God.
*Babylonian Garments:* Represent worldly desires, sin, and rebellion against God.The term *"Babylon"* is derived from *"Babel,"* which means *confusion* *(Genesis 11:9).* Babylon throughout the Bible symbolizes rebellion against God, *moral corruption, and spiritual confusion.* When we adopt the fashions and customs of the world without discernment, we risk becoming spiritually confused and estranged from God's will.
*Revelation 17:4* (ESV)"The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality."
*Purple and Scarlet:* These colors often represent luxury, wealth, and excess. When we adorn ourselves in ways that emphasize these worldly values, we align ourselves more with Babylon than with the humble and pure life Christ calls us to.
*The Importance of Modesty and Simplicity:* 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (ESV) "Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess Godliness—with good works."
*Modesty:* Modesty is more than just about avoiding revealing clothing; it is about presenting oneself in a way that honors God and does not draw undue attention to oneself.
*Simplicity:* Simplicity in dress can reflect a heart focused on God rather than on material possessions or societal status.
*Reflection of Inner Faith:* Our outward appearance speaks volumes about who we are and who lives within us. It is not merely about following a set of rules but about letting our inner faith shine through the choices we make.
*1 Peter 3:3-4 (ESV)* "Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."
*Inner Beauty:* The true beauty of a believer is found in a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God's sight. This inner beauty should guide our outward adornment.
*Specific Examples of Worldly Adornments:*
*Babylonian Dress:* Wearing clothing and shoes that are overly flashy or provocative can draw attention to ourselves rather than to Christ. Tight clothes that shows your body sizes, that turn your body up and down as you walk, is a dangerous clothes.
*The Impact of Babylonian Shoes on Believers:* Babylonian shoes cause a believer's walk to resemble a rhythmic drumming, which can provoke inappropriate sensual feelings in men and lead to sinful thoughts. Additionally, these shoes can harm the pelvic bones, potentially causing shifts that affect younger women during childbirth. Therefore there's no health benefits in any of the Babylonians gifts.
*Hair Styles:* The way we style and pack our hair should be done in a way that reflects modesty and self-respect. Not the types that shows as if we are carrying a folded round towel on our head, or the hair-attachment that doesn't resemble your hair texture that causes panic when one sees you, one will quickly deduce that there's something wrong with this person.
*Nail Colors:* The colors we choose for our nails, such as red, blue, black, purple, or ashen colors, can sometimes reflect worldly values of attention-seeking and vanity. Instead, we should choose appearances that reflect purity and humility.
*Romans 12:2 (ESV)* "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
*Non-Conformity:* We are called to not conform to the patterns of this world. Our transformation should be evident in every aspect of our lives, including how we dress and present ourselves.
*Spiritual Clarity and God’s Presence:* When we dress in a manner that aligns with worldly fashions, we risk becoming spiritually confused. God desires to dwell in us, but He will not reside in a place of confusion. Don't think that God is in you when you involve yourself with all this worldly desires.
*1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV)* "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints."
*God of Peace:* Embracing simplicity and modesty in our dress helps us maintain spiritual clarity and peace, allowing God’s presence to dwell within us fully.
*7. Warnings to Christians:* 1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
*Warning:* Christians are urged to avoid conforming to the world’s standards and values.
*8. Avoiding Babylonian Fashions:* *Contentment in Christ:* As believers, finding satisfaction in our relationship with Jesus is paramount. Our contentment in Him should overflow into every aspect of our lives, including our outward appearance. When we allow our identity in Christ to shape how we present ourselves, we reflect His light to the world. This principle is foundational for living out our faith authentically and avoiding the pitfalls of coveting worldly fashions.
*Trust in God’s Provision:* Believe that God knows what is best for you and will provide in His timing.
*Renewing the Mind:* Focus on God’s Word and promises rather than worldly desires.
*9. Application to Evangelical Missions:*
*Authentic Witness:* Living a life free from *Covetousness* sets an example and strengthens your testimony.
*Focus on Eternal Values:* Emphasize the eternal riches in Christ rather than temporary worldly gains.
*Encouraging Contentment:* Teach and model contentment and trust in God to those you are evangelizing.
Finally, Coveting the Babylonian garment is a powerful metaphor for the dangers of desiring worldly wealth and luxury over Godly righteousness. By understanding the root causes, symbolic meanings, and the biblical warnings, we can better guard our hearts and focus on living for God's kingdom. Let us strive to clothe ourselves with the garments of salvation and righteousness, setting a Godly example for others and enhancing our mission to win souls for Christ.
