Debt Free

O. T. #398  "Debt Free"
October 31, 2014
Deuteronomy 16
At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.  Deuteronomy 15:1 NIV

LET IT GLOW

I am not financially debt free, but spiritually debt free. Jesus paid the debt I owed for my sins, my blood. He did it because He loves me.  I owe Him my everything.

Idealistically, it would have been possible for poverty to have been eradicated in Israel. This could have happened because the Lord had greatly blessed them (verse 4). It was depending on whether Israel was obedient to God's laws or not. We read in the last chapter where God had promised these blessings to those that gave charity to the poor. Charity was based upon the fact that God had given them the land.
Do we give to the poor and needy? Are we sharing our blessings?


LET IT GROW

This chapter explains to the second generation Israelites concerning the Sabbatical year. (Earlier, it was established and described in Exodus 23:10-11 and Leviticus 25:1-7. The land was to lie fallow, without crops being planted during that time.) Here, Moses adds the cancellation of debts.) Other practices of the Sabbatical year included:

• The debt of an Israelite was canceled completely and permanently, not just a cancellation of payment during that year.
• Of the foreigner staying only temporarily in the land this was not required. (verse 3)
• They were to open their hand wide to the poor, meeting their needs. (verse 8)
• The poor was allowed a loan, but it would not be paid back. (verse 8)
• If their brother defaults on a loan, a period of servitude could be substituted as repayment for the debt. There would be a six year service, they freedom on the seventh year. (verse 12)
• The former owner was instructed to give provisions to the former slave so he did not go empty handed. (verse 13)
• However, if the slave desired to remain with the family after the six years of servitude, he was to be marked with a hole in his ear, signifying servitude forever. (verse 17)
• The slave was worth-double to his owner since wages were not paid for his service. (verse 18)
• Israel was reminded that the first born of the animals was to be consecrated to the Lord, if it was a perfect sacrifice. Firstborn ox or bulls were not to be worked nor the sheep or goat sheered (verse 19)
• The imperfect firstborn could be eaten at home. (verses 21-22)

Back in Egypt, the night of the Passover, God took the firstborn of the Egyptians, but spared the firstborn of the Hebrews under the blood. We see that later God required their firstborn animals as a sacrifice to Him.

Has the Lord Jesus set you free from the penalty of your sins? He has paid our debt which we owed, a blood sacrifice. He is waiting for you to ask if you have not done so yet. Today would be a good day, friend.
What do we offer unto the Lord Jesus? Is our body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto Him, as in Romans 12:1?

LET IT GO

What do I need to let go of so my life will be acceptable in God's service?

Surrender my all.