Old Testament Field GuideSample

Geography & Religion: In Front of the Text

The obvious question for us “In Front of the Text” is: In what do we trust for our prosperity? Below are some questions to help guide your personal reflections.

A Temptation that Promises Prosperity

We’ve considered the Israelites’ temptation to worship fertility gods as being rooted in a longing for prosperity. The big question facing all of us is how we relate to this kind of temptation in the present.

What factors apart from God are you tempted to rely on as the source of your prosperity? (e.g., education, training, work ethic, luck, relational network)

Have you seen that relying on any of those sources of prosperity has estranged you from God and hindered your spiritual well-being? Explain.

The worship of fertility gods was motivated by a desire to please them and receive prosperity in return. In addition to seeking prosperity from things apart from God, we might also tend to relate to God as ancient people related to fertility gods.

Take a moment to record in the space below ways you have attempted to manipulate or please God so that he would provide you with the things you want.

Jot down a list of the “gods” you think our society most often “worships” in pursuit of prosperity.

Wrap-up

Nicole wraps up this lesson on the importance of geography and water, which explains where people settle, what they fight over and even what they worship.