As some could be persuaded to insist
that worship of the Deity consist
in strict conformity to every form
and element, still others hoped a norm
for worship to define by turning to
consider what the pagan peoples do
in worship.¹ Now I know this seems extreme,
but once you fully understand my scheme,
the genius of it will be plain.

I sowed
the thought in some that, since the Lord bestowed
on them the obligation to shine forth
the knowledge of His name in all the earth,
that it was reasonable, in reaching out
to other peoples, that they learn about
the kinds of things such people tend to do
in worship, then conform their worship to
what pagan peoples can embrace with ease.
Such a gesture would be sure to please
their neighbors, though it may seem strange to some
to have their worship filled with emblems from
surrounding cultures. “What about the clear
Word of the Lord, that says we must adhere
to His instructions in our worship, and
not dare embrace the practice of the land
and peoples all around?” they would protest.
“But does not God, who has so richly blessed
us, want us to reach out in blessing to
the pagans?” the reply would come. “How do
you plan to do this without coming down
to where they live?” Such reasoning would drown
out every protest and divide the host –
an unexpected boon, if I may boast
a bit. And so, in time, their worship would
include whatever pagan practice could
be justified as helping to proclaim
among the nations the eternal name
of God. And fighting factions would appear,
each claiming that it faithfully adhered
to God’s priorities, and casting doubt
on those who in their worship went about
it in some other manner.²

It would take
their kings to bridge these factions and to make
the people dwell in peace. Their role would be
to make religion public policy,
that is, to make sure every sacrifice
and feast was dutifully observed – all nice
and proper – but to court surrounding kings
by tolerating pagan offerings
and practices within their courts,³ and to
make sure that there were priests and prophets who
would pipe the tunes for which king would pay
them handsomely. Meanwhile, he would allay
concerns about such pragmatism by
some show of favor to whichever side
was feeling slighted or concerned, all in
the name of public weal. Such blatant sin
was overlooked in time, as people learned
to get in step and let their hearts be turned
more by contemporary practice and
political expediency than
the revelation of the Lord. Thus I
confused and compromised their worship by
such subtle means, and helped them give the nod
to me in worship, rather than to God.

Corrupting worship came to me with ease.
I led these foolish people to displease
the Lord in many ways, and all the time
let them believe that everything was fine
in their relationship with Him. They thought
that they were doing just what He had taught
them to, when, all the while, it was their own
self-interest and convenience which alone
defined the norms for worship. Oh, of course
there were a few who managed all the worst
abuses to avoid, but their prophetic
harangues had slight effect on those pathetic
and silly people, who, except for brief
revival seasons, gave no end of grief
to God with their vain worship. Idols perched
on every mantle; Sabbath days besmirched
with commerce were the norm; few tithed; the feast
days were but spottily observed; the least
and greatest of them every corner cut
in worship, thinking all the while that what
they offered God was good enough; and though
He spurned them, oh, their worship pleased me so.

And that was quite enough for me, and here
is why: Assuming God was very clear
on how He would be worshiped, that His Word
reveals the way to come before the Lord
in worship, then to augment, modify,
or circumvent this is to buy the lie
that worship, after all, is really not
about the Lord at all! And so I taught
them: worship is for you, you stupid fools,
so go ahead and substitute your rules
and guidelines, practices and norms, your own
ideas for those sent to you from the throne
of heav’n. As long as you can justify
your actions they won’t seem to you a lie
at all, and you can go your merry way
and all your foolish, fleshly lusts obey,
exaggerating, mitigating, and
exchanging God’s revealed designs for man’s –
and in this way, by now I think you’ll see,
leave off adoring God, and worship me!

And so my stature rose among the legions
of my adoring hosts, here in the regions
above, and every act of man on earth
proclaimed the might and greatness of my worth!