The Bondage of Superstition 

Jeremiah 10:1-8 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. 

     Throughout history some of the most pathetic stumbling blocks have hindered the progress of knowledge and truth. The fallen nature of man, once separated from the presence of GOD and holy angels has led him to look to anything and everything to meet his needs. To be successful and safe man has employed some of the most unreasonable schemes and looked to some of the most absurd idols to lead him through life.  Through the temptations of devils all manner of superstitions have taken hold in the lives of men, and to this day many are held in bondage to these superstitions, some of which have even led to the ruin of nations. This danger is seen in some of man’s religious traditions. 

     In the conquest of Gaul, Julius Caesar studied the superstitions of the Germanic people that he desired to conquer. He learned that one of their superstitions forbid them to do battle on a full moon. So, guess when Caesar attacked with his army?  Even today, superstitions have become the idols to which man looks for his blessing whether of victory in war, or sports, or family, and even in life. This is a distraction from the Source of True Blessing, as it is written, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa.45:22. To do otherwise is to fall prey to circumstances where GOD’S jurisdiction is held at bay, as it is written, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” Eccl.9:11. 

     When planning our future, our lives, our families, our nation, looking to the Source of all blessing: GOD and His Son Jesus Christ is the one and only guarantee for success in this present world, as it is written, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Ps.127:1. 

     There is a great Bible story showing the power of GOD over the idols and superstitions of men. When the prophet Jonah was onboard a ship fleeing from GOD’S command telling him to warn the city of Nineveh that unless they repent of their evil, GOD will bring judgment against them, Jonah saw GOD’S command as a suicide mission. He well knew Nineveh’s reputation of the most severe cruelty, and he believed that GOD could not protect him from the evil that Nineveh was famous for. So Jonah fled from GOD and boarded a ship heading as far away from Nineveh as possible. 

     But as GOD’S controlling hand dictated, a great storm came and the ship was thrashing in the sea. The captain threw all its cargo overboard to lighten the ship and then told every man to pray to their gods for their survival. Finding Jonah down below decks the captain railed on him demanding for him to pray to his GOD that they not die. But with the gales continuing to threaten the ship the men decided to draw lots to see who was causing this calamity that befell everyone onboard. The lot fell to Jonah. Here came the great transformation of Jonah’s character. “And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.” Jon.1:9-12. Jonah knew he had to die for the others to live. And he was now willing for their sakes. Now was the time for the LORD to show His wonders: a feat that no superstition, no charm, no lucky rabbit’s foot, no dangling crucifix could ever accomplish. After they cast Jonah overboard, a great whale was there at GOD’S command and swallowed up Jonah and carried him to shore where he was freed. Now Jonah had the courage to face the men of Nineveh.  Now he knew the weakness of their superstitions and the power of His GOD to deliver from any threat.