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Obvious Bait, Hidden Hook
Listen to today’s devo!
“Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria.” (Ezra 4:2)
Expanded Passage: Ezra 4:1-3
Thomas Brooks, in his book Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices, warned believers, saying that Satan, with ease, presents falsehood to us with his bait, then with a hook leads us astray, and leaves us with the consequences of our decisions. This warning is a call to avoid the immediate pleasure offered, “the bait,” so as not to fall into “the hook,” which is the lasting consequence of that sin.
In this passage, the Israelites were baited by this device and presented with an alluring opportunity to receive help in building the temple; but because of their conviction and discernment, they said no. This decision protected their people, the work God had for them, and the call to follow Cyrus’ edict. It was theological, legal, and protective because of the sacred work involved. The bait was having help in the manual labor of building the temple, while the hidden hook was disobedience to God, Cyrus, and infiltration from their enemies with unknown consequences. The Israelites denied the bait and thus avoided the hook despite the cost.
We must follow the example of the Israelites in denying the bait and avoiding the hook. Especially in a new transition, such as when the Israelites came back from exile, it can become very easy to say yes to the easiest option instead of having patience for the best.
Deny the bait and avoid the hook when you face difficult decisions.
Jay Drury is a second-year MDiv student at Asbury Seminary (KY), pursuing ordination in The Wesleyan Church. He is married to Hannah, whom he met at age sixteen.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
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By The Wesleyan Church
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Listen to today’s devo!
“Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria.” (Ezra 4:2)
Expanded Passage: Ezra 4:1-3
Thomas Brooks, in his book Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices, warned believers, saying that Satan, with ease, presents falsehood to us with his bait, then with a hook leads us astray, and leaves us with the consequences of our decisions. This warning is a call to avoid the immediate pleasure offered, “the bait,” so as not to fall into “the hook,” which is the lasting consequence of that sin.
In this passage, the Israelites were baited by this device and presented with an alluring opportunity to receive help in building the temple; but because of their conviction and discernment, they said no. This decision protected their people, the work God had for them, and the call to follow Cyrus’ edict. It was theological, legal, and protective because of the sacred work involved. The bait was having help in the manual labor of building the temple, while the hidden hook was disobedience to God, Cyrus, and infiltration from their enemies with unknown consequences. The Israelites denied the bait and thus avoided the hook despite the cost.
We must follow the example of the Israelites in denying the bait and avoiding the hook. Especially in a new transition, such as when the Israelites came back from exile, it can become very easy to say yes to the easiest option instead of having patience for the best.
Deny the bait and avoid the hook when you face difficult decisions.
Jay Drury is a second-year MDiv student at Asbury Seminary (KY), pursuing ordination in The Wesleyan Church. He is married to Hannah, whom he met at age sixteen.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.