Pied Piper
Cecil B. DeMille asked in the movie, The Ten Commandments, “Are men the property of the state? Or are they free souls under God?" This same battle continues throughout the world.
Vanity inclines man to blame others for his undesirable state, “but the slothful shall be under tribute.” If you want to be set free then you must want to know the whole truth and then, “Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.” Exodus 23:32 Order
The Pied Piper, sketch by George John Pinwell, shows a colorful traveler who had a strange ability to charm all living creatures with his bewitching harmonies. When the citizens of Hamelin were plagued by rats, the Pied Piper made the town an offer to rid their homes of the vermin for a price. A bargain was struck, the contract was made.
Good to his word, the Piper pulled out his fife and played a melody irresistible to rats. The rhythm of that tune enticed them to followed him through all the streets of Hamelin and down to the River Weser. Walking out into the deep water, still playing his mysterious music, all the rats followed without hesitation, and were drowned.
The citizens and leadership of Hamelin could have rid their homes of this plague by their own industry if they were as concerned about their neighbors’ homes as they were their own. They chose to abdicated that responsibility.
With sloth comes greed and avarice, which enticed the people to refuse to pay the price of the Piper and violated the terms of the agreement. Yet, the terms and conditions of their contract would be met, the debt of their desire would be collected in coin or blood. The people of Hamelin would pay for their dishonesty with their most precious possessions. The Piper played a new tune and led away the children of the city to be sealed in a mountain, where their parents would never see them again.
Has the story of the Pied Piper been repeated in today’s society? Have people delegated their God given responsibilities to professionals, calling themselves benefactors? Have they made agreements and become a surety for debt with those so-called benefactors who exercise authority one over the other? Shall they pay with the lives of their sons and daughters?
“And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.... Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:” 2 Peter 2:3...14 “Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them for they shall go into captivity.” Deut. 28:41
Who can redeem the people from their sin of sloth and avarice to save their children? “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:16, 18.