At the point of their physical need while in the desert, Israel fell into temptation of complained and murmuring against God. They forgot the miraculous acts He performed before them, starting with the opening of the Red Sea for them to pass through. Their unbelief, or lack of faith lead them to fall into temptations several times and many fell dead in the wilderness. They desired the things of Egypt and never understood the meaning of God’s plan for them as a nation. Their eyes were fixed on the past, but were blind for the future where God was taking them to. Satan seizing the opportunity drove the Israelites against God.
In the second temptation Satan took YAHSHUA to Jerusalem and placed him on a pinnacle of the temple and again he used the same phrase, “If You are the Son of God” throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” It is an amazing thing that the devil dared to take words from the Word of God to tempt God’s own Son, the Author of those words. His pride is so strong that he refuses to acknowledge YAHSHUA as the Son of God. Few years later, Israel used Satan’s own words undermining Who YAHSHUA was, doubting His Messiahship while He hang on the cross, they said, “If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross; He rescued others from death they said, Himself He cannot rescue from death. He is the King of Israel? Let Him come down from the cross now and we will believe in and acknowledge and cleave to Him; He trusts in God’ let God deliver Him now if He cares for Him and will have Him, for He said, I am the Son of God (Matthew 27:40-43). These words were coming straight from the devil, who according to Luke, was to come back “until an opportune and favorable time.” The opportune time had arrived at the point of YAHSHUA’S need while hanging on the cross at the mercy of the people who hated him.
Third time Satan tempted YAHSHUA, he took YAHSHUA to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and said, all these will be yours with transferred power and glory, if You do homage to and worship me (Luke 4:7,8). Here we see Israel tempting God with the golden calf in the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land, after God had come down to speak to them at the Mount Sinai. With this action, Israel showed complete rejection of God, by choosing to worship a golden calf. YAHSHUA’S response to this temptation sent the devil running away from Him. He said, Get behind Me, Satan! It is written, you shall do homage and worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve (vs. 8).
James teaches us how to be victorious dealing with the devil. He said, submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. At the point of your need, when temptations will certainly come, remember submission to God first. In submission there is humbleness and a contrite spirit before God. Resisting the devil works only when submission is applied. At the point of your need, Satan will take you to pinnacles and high mountains, he will offer you things which will look good from the distance, just like he did Eve in the garden; he will show you supposedly easy roads to take contrary to God’s ways. However, stand firmly with your feet shod to be able to use the two edge sword- the Living Word of God to fight against the devil’s schemes. Pray… pray… pray at all times- being alert, watchful not to fall into his temptation, and God of peace will be with you and for you always.
Light from the Word 