Hebrew History 101| Shedding the Shackles of the Mind | Leaving Our Idols in the Wilderness

Introduction:

Our history didn't start on a slave ship, and our identity isn't a mystery - it’s just been hidden like an old family secret waiting for the right generation to uncover it. We've journeyed through the 'Wilderness of the People,' understanding that this spiritual desert is where the Creator meets us face-to-face. But what exactly are we supposed to leave behind in this dry place? Ezekiel 20 is brutally clear: it's not just physical locations we're being called out of; it's the deeply ingrained 'idols of the heart' that have taken root during our long exile. These are the false comforts and deceptive practices that keep us bound, even as the truth of our heritage becomes undeniable. It’s time to identify these internal chains of slavery and cast them away, so we can truly walk into our freedom.

The Idols We Carried Out of Egypt

Ezekiel chapter 20 is a powerful indictment, where the Most High recounts Israel's continuous rebellion, even before entering the promised land. He specifically calls out their refusal to "cast ye away every abomination of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt" (Ezekiel 20:7). This pattern of holding onto the idols of our oppressors didn't end with ancient Egypt; it followed us into the Wilderness of the People, and is currently with us today.

These modern idols aren't just carved images; they are mindsets, systems, and spiritual practices adopted from the nations we were scattered among. They are the "wood and stone" we chose to serve, as Ezekiel 20:32 states, instead of the Living Elohim.

Identifying Our Modern-Day Idols of the Heart:

Let's break down some of these spiritual "abominations" that we are commanded to shed in our modern-day wilderness:

• "Graven Images" of Identity:

• The Idol: The fervent embrace of the "bywords" (Negro, Black, African-American, FBA-Foundational Black American, etc.) and political ideologies (Democrat, Republican) that attempt to define us apart from our true Hebrew lineage. These are names given by our captors or our leaders, and not our Creator.
• The Command: To cast away the false identities and reclaim the name of Israel. To stop seeking validation from systems designed to keep us disconnected.

Reclaiming the Name: From Validation to Vindication

For centuries, we have sought validation from the very systems that benefited from our identity being hidden. We looked to their schools for our history, their media for our value, and their religions for our salvation. But the "Wilderness" experience teaches us that these systems are designed to keep us disconnected from our GOD.

• The Shift in Identity
• The Foundation of Name
• The False Identity (Validation): “Black/Negro/Colored" - labels given by others to categorize us.
• The Divine Identity (Vindication): Israel (He who prevails with Elohim) - the name given by the Creator.
• The Definition of Self
• The False Identity (Validation): Defined by skin color or social constructs.
• The Divine Identity (Vindication): Defined by an Eternal Covenant and a royal lineage.
• The Source of Authority
• The False Identity (Validation): Seeking approval and "civil rights" from the "Master's house" and worldly systems.
• The Divine Identity (Vindication): Seeking approval and "Divine Rights" from the Creator of the Universe.
• The Prophetic Status
• The False Identity (Validation): Subject to the "Byword" and the curses of history (Deuteronomy 28:37).
• The Divine Identity (Vindication): Subject to the "Blessing" and the inheritance of the Kingdom (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).

Why Systems Keep Us Disconnected

Systems of the world rely on a "disoriented" Israel. When a people do not know who they are, they are easily manipulated, divided, and exploited.

• The Educational System: Often minimizes or skips over our history of slavery and racism.
• The Religious System: Often replaces the Law of GOD with the "traditions of men," the Greek Scriptures for the Hebrew Scriptures, making us think our heritage is "done away with,” and that a man died for our sins.
• The Economic System: Encourages us to build "Egypt" while our own spiritual house and communities lie in waste.

•  The Act of Casting Away

"Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am YAH your GOD." (Ezekiel 20:7)

• To reclaim the name of Israel, we must perform a spiritual "casting away."

This means:

1. Stop seeking "seats at the table" of those who oppress you, do not respect you, and do not recognize your value or heritage.
2. Reject the psychological warfare that says you are a minority, when you are actually a chosen remnant.
3. Return to the Statutes that were given specifically to you as a sign of your identity.

When you reclaim the name of Israel, you are not just taking back a word; you are taking back your power. You are telling the world that the time of the 'byword' is over. You are telling the systems of the world that you no longer need their validation because you have found your vindication in the Word of the Most High. The chains of the mind are falling. The name of YAH is being restored in His people.

• The "High Places" of False Religion:

• The Idol: Syncretized religions, denominational doctrines, and man-made traditions that dilute or outright contradict the pure Word of the Most High. This includes Christianity, Judaism, Islam - doctrines that teach the Law is abolished, or the precepts of men, or that we can simply believe without action.
• The Command: To cease defiling ourselves with the spiritual practices and beliefs learned from the nations. To return to the unadulterated Laws, Statutes, and Commandments of YAH.

The Great Return: Cleansing the Sanctuary of the Soul

To return to the Commandments of YAH is to step out of the confusion of the heathens and back into the order of the Kingdom. The nations have taught us to follow our hearts, but the Word teaches us to follow His Statutes.

A. Breaking the "Syncretism" Trap

For centuries, we have mixed the holy with the profane. We tried to keep the Creator's name while keeping the nations' traditions. This is “syncretism”- a spiritual cocktail that Elohim finds offensive.

• The Practice: Celebrating the solstices and "holidays" of our captors.
• The Return: Observing the Sabbath and the High Holy Days (Leviticus 23) as the only appointments on our calendar.

B. From "Feelings" to "Statutes"

The nations teach a "do as thou wilt" philosophy wrapped in religious language. But the "Wilderness of the People" is where we learn that Love is defined by Law.

"For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep his commandments: and His commandments are not grievous."

In the Hebrew Scriptures, there is no "silent" or "secret" love for YAH. It is a public, active, and disciplined walk. Returning to the unadulterated Law means choosing kashrut (dietary laws) over appetite, and zizit (Numbers 15:38) over fashion.

C. The Shield of the Commandments

The Laws are not a burden; they are a shield.

• The Dietary Laws (Leviticus 11) protect our physical vessels.
• The Moral Laws protect our family structures.
• The Civil Laws protect our community wealth.

When we stopped keeping the Law, our shield was removed. By returning to them, we are picking up our armor once again.

The Mark of the Remnant

Returning to the unadulterated Laws of YAH is the ultimate act of rebellion against the systems of this world. It is the final stage of our 'Awakening.' We are no longer defined by the shifting morality of the nations, but by the eternal, unchanging Statutes of our King. This is how the world will know who we are - not by our words, but by our walk. The road back to the Land begins with the road back to the Law.

• The "Sacrifices" of Assimilation:

• The Idol: The sacrificing of our culture, family values, and unique spiritual practices on the altar of "fitting in" to the gentile world. This includes celebrating their holidays (Christmas, New Year, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween) and adopting their moral relativism.
• The Command: To remember and/or observe the Creator's Sabbaths, New Moons, and Feast Days as commanded, demonstrating our separation and devotion to Him alone.

• The "Greed" for Materialism:

• The Idol: The insatiable pursuit of wealth, status, and material possessions as the ultimate goal, often at the expense of our spiritual walk and community. This mimics the consumerist culture of Egypt.
• The Command: To seek first the Kingdom of Elohim and His righteousness, understanding that true blessing comes from obedience and divine provision, not worldly accumulation.

Conclusion: Freedom Through Casting Away

The 'Wilderness of the People' is not a place to collect more baggage; it's a place to shed it. The Most High is not just showing us who we are; He's showing us what we need to leave behind. To truly 'pass under the rod' and enter into the bond of the covenant, we must deliberately and decisively cast away the idols of our eyes and our hearts. This is the act of true repentance - turning away from the ways of the nations and fully embracing the ways of our Creator. Only then can we move from the dry place of gross darkness to the promised land of clarity, enlightenment, and restoration.

Reflection Questions:

• What "idols of the heart" (mindsets, practices, beliefs) have you personally had to confront and cast away during your awakening?
• How does realizing these are "idols" change your perspective on popular cultural practices?
• What is one practical step you can take this week to shed an idol and draw closer to the Covenant?

Elohim still loves you, Israel. The call remains the same: Choose Life, Choose Blessing, Choose Undivided Devotion. Repent, Return, and be free from the shadows of gross darkness.

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Shalom qodesh qadasheem - the “set apart ones.”