Tearing Down to Rebuild
Yesterday we looked at Isaiah’s prophetic calling to set the captives free. Today we will look at Jeremiah’s anointing to pluck up and tear down, destroy and overthrow and to build and plant. The thoughts of plucking up, breaking down, destroying and overthrowing all sound counter productive. Let’s consider an old building which is faulty and derelict. A derelict building is one which is generally empty and in a bad state of repairs because it has not been used appropriately or occupied for a long time. While some buildings can be repaired, others will be deemed a safety hazard and need to be torn down and rebuilt.
During Jeremiah’s time, many of the Kings who sinned against God would build altars to other gods such as Baal. God would use Jeremiah to pull down and destroy any systems or structures, built to give glory to any other god but the one true God. Elijah was sent to confront the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah rebuilt the altar of God which had been thrown down by Jezebel and her servants. He commanded God to send fire to consume the sacrifice, as a demonstration to the people that God was all powerful and mighty. God responded by fire and the people fell on their faces before God and declared him as Lord.
“And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there” (1 Kings 18:40). The slaughtering of the prophets seems harsh to us reading, but the context of the time required it as Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the Lord and set up her own prophets to offer idol worship. Jezebel and King Ahab build altars and a temple to sacrifice to Baal and erected an Asherah pole to worship Sidonian and the fertility goddess Asherah.
God is very clear that he will not share his glory with anyone and we have been instructed to worship no other gods or make sacrifices to them. Ahab and Jezebel led the people of God astray and caused them to serve Baal. Elijah was the only one bold enough to confront and challenge Jezebel and Ahab and put a stop to their worship of idolatry. There are systems of idolatry and satanic worship that God will use us to tear down and rebuild altars of true worship, prayer and praise unto God. We have to be bold in our conviction to discern systems that do not give glory to God and move when given the unction from God to destroy and to rebuild.
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).
A.P.-Y.
Published by Anneta Pinto-Young
I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession.
Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm.
I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing.
I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.
View all posts by Anneta Pinto-Young
Published
October 15, 2021October 15, 2021
