In addition to the religious laws regulating national worship, Moses delivered a set of civil laws to be used in governing the internal affairs of the nation. Holiness should not be practiced in the tabernacle only. Justice, truthfulness, and humane treatment must characterize all the nation’s dealings. Moses anticipated three situations that are sure to arise once the people are in the Promised Land. Remember that he is preparing the new generation on how to live in the new land. 1. The desire to crown a king 2. The need to examine a prophet’s credentials to determine if he speaks for God and 3. For a refuge to protect those who have committed manslaughter unintentionally.
Chapter 17 Crowning a king; 18 Proving a Prophet; 19 protecting the Innocent; 20 Winning a War.
“We may not know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future.”
[17] 2 things we must heed in the beginning of chp. 17…when we hear of someone doing something that it is sin – wrong! “check the rumor very carefully” (v.4); and act only upon the witness of TWO witnesses, not only one! (story of Jerry Clower and his mama’s teacakes). The end result of handling dealt with justice is found in v. 13 “And all the people shall hear and (reverently) fear and not act presumptuously again.”
17:14 When you begin to think that you need a king…be sure that you select as a king the man the Lord your God shall choose. Qualities of the king (or perhaps our President) 18 – 20 Leadership in the local church must be given only to those who are qualified. Dr. Lee Roberson said. “Everything rises or falls with leadership.” How tragic it is when churches choose unqualified and untried people to “fill” offices instead of to “use” those offices for the building of the church and the glory of God. In the leadership of the local church, spiritual character is far more important than a person’s popularity, personality, talent or occupation.
[18] When was the last time you had a brush with the occult? Do not pass this off lightly…consider the pagan activities that the Israelites were strictly forbidden to practice “magic spells, witchcraft, interpreting omens, consulting with spirits. Compare that list with some of the seemingly harmless activities that
Christians sometimes engage in today *reading books or viewing movies dealing with the occult; *foretelling the future using cards, stars, or Ouija boards *planning the day’s activities on the basis of a horoscope. Are you dabbling with the very things God has told you to despise? God told His people that “anyone doing these things is an object of horror and disgust to the Lord.” 18:12. Those who belong to God have no business trafficking in the things of Satan. Check up on your life for any innocent-looking forms of the occult and deal with them today. For God expects your full devotion.
V, 19-22 Discerning a false preacher/prophet
[19] deals with establishing the cities of refuge…lest innocent blood be shed in your land. Premeditated murder and capital punishment…v.13 purpose: your eye shall not pity him, but you shall clear Israel of the guilt of innocent blood, that it may be well with you. Circumstantial evidence is not enough/one witness is not enough…”only on the testimony of 2 or 3 witnesses shall a charge be established.”
[20] FEAR not no matter how BIG the enemy v.1 “do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God Who brought you out of the land of Egypt is with you….v.3 let not your minds and hearts faint; fear not, and do not tremble, or be terrified and in dread because of them…” GET RID of ALL EVIL! Of all bad influence…WHY v.18 “So they may not teach you all the abominable practices they have carried on for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the Lord your God. AMERICA???!
The next six chapters...Social Laws in the Land 21 in the Home; 22-23 Promoting Peace and Purity in the Camp; 24,25 Promoting Peace and Purity in the Courts; 26 in the land…they deal with domestic tranquility and national tranquility.
These six chapters contain fascinating insights into some WHAT IF questions that will no doubt arise when the people are in the Promised land. Moses covers such topics as how to purify the land from an unsolved murder, how to administer capital punishment, who is eligible for membership in the congregation and who is excluded; how to avoid the extinction of a family name, when and how money may be loaned for interest. Such regulations are essential if the people of God are to live in peace and purity in the Promised Land.
“God Who needs nothing, brought into existence wholly unnecessary creatures to that He may love and perfect them.”
How far does God’s care extend? Is He concerned about things like cruelty to animals and preservation of the species? How about accurate scales at the meat market, or protection from loan sharks?
All of these and much more are discussed as you read through these six chapters. It may seem like a disjointed collection of dos and don’ts, But keep the big picture in mind. God is interested in every detail of life. Whatever concerns the people concerns Him. His love and compassion extend even to the treatment of animals: “Don’t muzzle an ox as it treads out the grain.” 25:4. “If a bird’s nest is lying on the ground…don’t take the mother with the young” 22:6 thus preserving the species.
Aren’t you glad the God Who created and sustains nature is also the God Who created and sustains you? Read Matthew 6:25-26. The God Who looks after lilies and sparrows is looking after you!!!
[21] rules and punishment have a purpose. To say the very least from the account of ‘stoning of a rebellious child’ we can deduct that rebellion is NOT considered an attractive quality but one to be dealt with severely. v.21 “so you shall cleanse out the evil from your midst.
[22] “Finders are NOT keepers”; cross dressing is an abomination to the Lord your God, don’t be unequally yoked; v.24, 27 a woman being raped must scream and what happens to a man that rapes her.
[23] Christ the WATER of life cleanses after we walk through the camp of the world (v. 9) Sodomy is a serious sin! (v21) Vows must be paid…”be watchful to perform” and many mentions of how to treat your neighbor.
[24] The Lord views marriage VERY seriously!!!! A man would do well to spend the first year of marriage focused on his wife. Kidnapping is not good. Forgive another’s debt to you generously (10-14) ; be generous! “only for his own sin shall anyone be put to death”. Sanitation and personal hygiene are important!
Just a quick mention of CORPORAL PUNISHMENT: The 41 Blow is a NO NO! in Chapter 25 you will read about the place of corporal punishment in the life of the nation. It was never to be used to extract a confession and was only to be applied after the suspect was found guilty. Even in punishment, the dignity of the individual was to be preserved. The Jews kept the letter of the “40 lash limitation” law, but not the spirit of it II Cor. 11:24
[25] Be honest – use proper weights, pay the laborer the proper wage, “keep your hands to yourself”
In chapter 26: Obedient people are necessary! It isn’t enough for a nation to have gifted and Godly leaders; it must also have Godly citizens who obey the law of the Lord. Confucius said. “ The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity of its homes.” But homes are made up of individuals, so it’s the strength of the individual that helps to make the home what it ought to be. “Whatever makes men good Christians” said Daniel Webster, “makes them good citizens.” The three public confessions recorded in this chapter help us to understand what kind of citizens we ought to be as the followers of Jesus Christ. 1. Confession of God’s goodness 2. Confession of honesty and generosity and 3. Confession of Obedience God is faithful to us, but how much we miss when we are not faithful to HIM!!!
[26] First fruits are to be given to the Lord! Rejoice in His goodness. Be Grateful. “This day the Lord your God has commanded you to do these statutes and ordinances; therefore you shall keep and do them with all your mind and heart and with all your being. READ through verse 19
NEXT WEEK: Deut. 27 - 30
No comments:
Post a Comment