Battles between gods figure in all the great myths and religions. Sometimes the gods are local gods, regional, or national. Sometimes the gods have particular territories -- the sea, the trees, etc.
Israel's God also had his battles with other so-called gods. He conquered them all. And when people tried to relegate Yahweh to being a mere regional god, Yahweh had to tell his people and the egyptians and all the others who wanted to limit him that he was not a god of the hills alone but a god of the valleys. Not a god of the soul's salvation alone, but a god of the body's salvation. The Creator God.
It's good to have a creator God. Some religions today have gods that are not creator gods.
It's good to have a God who is a father. Some religions have creator gods who are not fathers.
That's why we sing praises...because our God is in the heavens. No other god limits him or can tell him, "What are you doing?" Our god has done whatsoever pleases him.
Psalm 135
1Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.
2Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
3Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
4For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
5For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
7He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
8Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
9Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
10Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
11Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
12And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
13Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
15The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
16They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
19Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
20Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
21Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
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