Today was the first day of the teaching of the Law of Moses. This point in the teaching is always important. It is here where people should realize that no matter how hard they try, they will not be able to keep the law. They need God to redeem them from their sin!
As the first law was read, many people started to become restless. Many whispered: “But if God is a jealous God and does not want us to pray to anyone but Him, what about our yearly prayer and sacrificing to our ancestors? “ To the Mwinika, like many other people over the world, ancestor worship forms the core of their heart religion no matter what “form religion” they may practice. To appease and honour their ancestors is part of their very being…
We can’t help but marvel at God’s timing: this time of the year just before the Great Fast, is the usual time for a ceremony where they sacrifice and pray to their ancestors…
People were abuzz…
After the teaching ended, most people did not leave, but continued to talk about this issue: What shall we do?
The clan leaders (called kings) came together and said to Francois: “We can’t pray to our ancestors anymore, we realize that God is the Creator and He alone has all the power. We should pray to Him alone. How will be do this?” Francois agreed saying:
“That is true. Remember when we taught about our ancestor Noah? I am sure that all of our ancestors at that point prayed to God alone and believed that He is the only One worthy to be prayed to. But somewhere along the line, Satan came and deceived the Mwinika people like he did many others, so that you started to pray to your ancestors instead. Now God came to you in your own language to teach you the truth again.”
“That is true,” they agreed and after a while all went home.
What will happen? Only time can tell. May the Mwinika who have heard the truth hold on to it and live it!
Tomorrow the second part of the Law will be taught. Pray for true insight into their plight without God’s intervention.