“For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.” (1 Chronicles 16:25-27, KJV)
On our last day in Israel, we had to go to the Jewish Quarter to purchase some gifts at a particular store that we had visited the last time that we were in Israel. The young people who run the store are Orthodox Jews. They are very kind and helpful.
As we entered the store, I was so surprised that this time so many forms of the kabala hand and evil eye were everywhere for sale. I almost did not enter the store because it was so overwhelming. I really do not like to enter stores in which there is the practice of idolatry. And this is happening more and more in Israel for tourists as well as for themselves.
We didn’t have much time to look for another store, so we went in. I prayed and asked God for His protection. We went directly to the product that we wanted to purchase. The manager helped us make our selections, as we talked and reasoned about the authenticity of the different products. He agreed with the comments that I made and said that he would have to look into getting the right kind of a particular item.
While the manager helped with giving us a discount, I videotaped him while he wrapped the gifts. I asked him to say hello to my friends. He waved his hand, smiling into the iPhone camera. Then pointing to us and smiling widely, he said, “They are the best!” After our purchases, we thanked him for his help and left.
We then met with some friends for lunch. While we were eating and enjoying their company, I began to think that I would rather purchase a better quality product of one of the items than the one we had purchased. After our lunch, I shared with my husband what I was thinking. He agreed that I should exchange the product for one that was of better quality.
I went back to the store. There were now more customers, and I had to wait for the manager to see about an exchange of the items. I explained to him what I wanted to do and why. He agreed and made the exchange.
I then took courage to ask him the following, while other employees were standing near and listening: “I want to ask you a question,” I began. He looked up at me, giving me his full attention. “Why is it that you have so much of this kabala hand and evil eye everywhere in your store?”
He answered, “For money—that’s what it is all about.”
I said, “But you know what God says in the Old Testament. He raised up kings to fight the enemy. With each king he raised up, there was one thing that He instructed each one to do. But none of them did it, so they did not have all the victory over the enemy. The one thing that He had instructed them to do was to take down all the idols and worship only Him.”
Very seriously he looked into my eyes, studying them. “Yes, this is so true,” he commented.
I said, “Isn’t it something that instead of trusting in God’s power to provide, you use all those idols and trust in them to bring in provision, when God has said not to have any other Gods before Him? It is very sad that God is not believed to have power to provide for you more than you can ask or imagine. Instead you compromise God’s commandment for money and do such an awful thing.”
His eyes were still studying mine. He kept saying seriously, “This is so true. It is so true.” Then he said, “I am going to tell the owner about this.” He smiled so joyfully, looking into my eyes and said, “I love the way you talk. You should be a rabbi.”
“Abba, Father, it must make You so sad that Your people trust in idols instead of in You. And they know better. They know Your Word. Jesus, Son of God, how sad this must make You as well. I want to thank You for the opportunity to remind this young man what Your Word says. After all, these Orthodox Jews read the Old Testament. This young man would not have agreed with what I said had he not read Your word for himself. Thank You for the Holy Spirit that gave me the courage to address this practice that is in almost every store, home, and hotel and these idols that are worn as jewelry. Lord, this has spread everywhere in the states and throughout the world! They have turned from You, Lord, to idols. Forgive, Lord, forgive and have mercy. Father, have mercy. Lord, may the conversation that I had with this young man work in his heart and in the manager’s and may they fear You, God.”