not wise."


IDOLATRY IN CANAAN

Canaanite religion was to a large extent an unwholesome influence. The
Canaanites worshiped many gods. Each village had its Baal, or lord,
who had to be bribed with burnt offerings of fat beasts, or (as they
thought) the soil would lose its fertility and the crops would fail.

=Dangerous examples.=--These sacrificial rites were carried on in the
shrines or "high places," one of which stood outside almost every
village and town. They often were accompanied by dances and other
performances which were licentious and degrading. The Hebrews, of
course, were pledged to worship only Jehovah. Moreover, during these
first centuries in Canaan they were very poor, and had little time for
the carousals which went on at the "high places" in the name of
religion. Corruption usually comes with wealth and luxury. Poverty and
hardship are often useful safeguards. But from the beginning these
heathen rites were a temptation and a snare in the lives of the
Hebrews.


CANAANITE BELIEFS ABOUT THE WORLD

There are certain questions which awaken the curiosity of everyone.
How did this wonderful world come into existence? How is it that you
and I happen to be here? How did things in general come to be as they
are? Some of these difficult questions are to-day being partly
answered by careful students of science. In ancient times there was