December 2, 2014
Deuteronomy 23-Part 2
LET IT GLOW
Be kind and compassionate to one another. (Ephesians 4:32)
This time of year, who doesn't need this reminder? Amidst the busy fast traffic and shoppers with carts out there, everyone's in a hurry and focusing on self. I need reminding. Who doesn't like to receive a compliment or a thanks of appreciation? So I am trying to be more cheerful and appreciative to others. I am making a special effort to thank those checking me out, conversing with them, appreciating their help. I even thanked the lady at McDonald's for a plain Jane chicken sandwich yesterday (meat and bread only) and told her how good it was. I could tell she doesn't hear that very often. (Complaints are probably what they hear.) Seeing her big smile was worth the extra minute I took me to thank and appreciate her.
Let me challenge you to share appreciation to someone each day. God has blessed us so much in our nation and family.
LET IT GROW
The rest of the chapter deals with summary laws for Israel and the land. There are 21 listed in 23:15-25:19 to further illustrate the requirements of living under the Sinaitic covenant.
Though unrelated, these dealt with:
- keeping the army camp pure, clean, and without idols;
- instructions against moral, ceremonial, and natural pollution of themselves;
- no provisions of shelter for the unclean, whore, or sodomite;
- lending brothers money without charging interest;
- lending to strangers with interest charged was allowed;
- servants which were abused and wronged by their masters;
- vows made with the Lord's name added to it obligated the person to pay it;
- eating grapes and corn in the neighbor's field was permissible to fill one, only no picking extra (not abuse the kindness); farmers produced crops for a profit.
...of grumblings and complainings and be thankful;
...focusing on self and share with others;
...returning evil for evil, but give love instead.
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