You shall not

“You shall not plant for yourself any tree, as a wooden image, near the altar which you build for yourself to the LORD your God. You shall not set up a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates" (Deuteronomy 16:21, 22 NKJV). The cross is represented by the ancient altars of Israel, yet God commanded them not to plant a grove of any tree near the altar of God. Despite the command of the Lord, they planted trees around the altar of God because it was too bloody. They did not want to look at the blood soaked altars. Let us all remember that sacrifice is awful. The church must also remember that the cross is not an entertaining spectacle, but it is a bloody horror. The people still corrupted the altars, and just like the children of Israel, one may have replaced the Cross of Christ for groves planted by man. Some people may play the part and make it look good, but without repentance of sin one can only play the part. "They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops, And burn incense on the hills, under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, Because their shade is good. Therefore your daughters commit harlotry, And your brides commit adultery" (Hosea 4:13 NKJV). They sacrificed to every man made idol. If God's ancient people failed, so can we. They lost the vision and corrupted the pattern. God bless you. Amen