When the Cows Get Out

O. T. #412  "When the Cows Get Out"
November 24, 2014
Deuteronomy 22-Part 1
If you see your brother's ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to him.  Deuteronomy 22:1a


LET IT GLOW

We have some very good neighbors. When our cows of their field, tear down a fence, they help us get them back inside where they belong. We return the favor, too. I have called my neighbor many times to inform him that his cows are out. Once another neighbor's cows got out, coming down the road, so we put them into our coral to hold them until he could come take them home. You see, we don't live too far from a busy highway, which could be dangerous for the cows. (Cows can be worth as much as $2000 each, so that would be a big loss of investment.) Pets have strayed, too and we call to inform its owner.  We all help each other out in my neighborhood. That's just how it is here. We love our neighbors. That's how Jesus wanted the Israelites to be when they settled into their new Promised Land.

Verse 6 is a law that showed God's care for the long-term provisions for His people. This is the only place it is mentioned in the Pentateuch. If a bird's nest is in a tree or on the ground beside a road, and the mother is sitting on the young or eggs, the Israeli was  to let the mother go. By letting the mother bird go, food could be acquired without killing the source of future food. The Lord assured by dong so it would go well with them and they would have a long life.

In verse 8, where the only place this law is found in the Pentateuch, too, refers to the roof of a home in ancient Israel. The roof was flat and usually reached by outside stairs. To prevent injury or death from falling, a fence was to be built around the roof. This expressed love for those who might otherwise be injured or killed.

How considerate are we when it comes to our neighbors? Do we talk with them or ignore them? Are we aware of their problems?


LET IT GROW

We know loving God is our first duty, as Jesus explained in Matthew 22. Our next duty is loving our neighbor as our self. This chapter deals primarily with the duties pertaining to one's neighbor. The law of loving one's neighbor is applied to domestic and social relationships:

• Sanctity of private property is discussed in verse 1-4. If your neighbor's animals strayed, don't ignore the situation, but take them back to him. If he doesn't live close by, take them home with you and care for them until he comes after them; give the animals back to their owner.
• This law pertained to your neighbor's ox, sheep, donkey, cloak, or anything he looses. Help your neighbor, don't ignore the need of the situation.
• If your neighbor's donkey or ox falls into the road, don't ignore it. Help him get it to its feet.

It sounds like we are to go the extra mile, show love by helping out our neighbor. We don't just limit it to our livestock or pets. If we have the wrong mail delivered in our mailbox, we take it its rightful owner.
How is your relationship with your neighbors? I wonder if city people have a harder time with this. We can show Jesus' love to others in so many ways, if we only keep our eyes and ears open to the needs of others.

LET IT GO

Love my neighbor as myself.

Care about their problems and needs.

Show Jesus love whenever possible.

Take time to visit with my neighbors.