Highlights:
Read about laws, rules, regulations, and responsibilities to fulfull the purpose of God to preserve the cleanliness and holiness of the promised land.
The loving Creator gave the laws of these chapters to protect His people from the immoral conduct of surrounding nations. Such conduct would destroy the Israelites' ability to fulfill His purposes. Among the laws is this unusual regulation: Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit . . . be defiled (Deut. 22:9). Although we are under no obligation today to literally observe this command, the principle of purity is still as binding. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. . . . They are written for our admonition. . . . Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing (I Cor. 10:6,11-12; II Cor. 6:17). Again, His Word declares: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers (6:14).
Our Lord also set forth the principle of single-hearted devotion to Him when He said: Seek . . . first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). Single-heartedness is the key to victorious Christian living. We choose either Christ who speaks to us through His Word or some other person or thing. No man can serve two masters (6:24). The one we choose is our lord.
The single-hearted Christian is in the world but should not be of the world (John 15:19). As Christians we should take a position against the compromising, corrupting influences which permeate the world. We are in the world — expressly placed here by God, living among those who are of the world — to represent and present the Light of the world (note 1:4-5; 8:12; 9:5; also Matt. 5:14-16).
Only by living a life separated from the world's principles can we lead others to love Christ and His Word.
The world is self-pleasing and self-exalting, resulting in inevitable disappointment. The life in Christ demonstrates His love which seeks the highest good of others, even to the denying of self. Like Lot, who chose to live in Sodom, many fail to be effective witnesses because their daily conduct is so intermingled with the "pleasures" of the world. But read the prayer of Christ: I have given them Thy Word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world (John 17:14).
Thought for Today:
There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (I Tim. 2:5).
Christ Revealed:
Christ died on a cross in our place, submitting to the penalty of death imposed by the Law for our sins (Deut. 21:22-23). In the evening He was taken down from the cross, signifying the Law had been satisfied (John 19:31). Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us (Gal. 3:13).
Word Studies:
21:3 wrought worked; 21:4 eared ploughed; strike assault; 21:12 pare prim; 21:13 bewail mourn; 21:15 hated loved less; 22:3 hide thyself do nothing to help him, avoid responsibility; 22:6 dam bother; 22:8 battlement guard rail; 22:9 divers various kinds of; 22:14 maid virgin; 22:15 damsel young woman; 22:19 amerce fine; 22:25 force gape; 22:30 discover uncover; 23:1 stones testicles; 23:13 paddle spade; 23:19 usury interest.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Beth Carlton • Country: Yemen (17 million) in southwestern Arabia • Major language: Arabic • Attempts to convert Muslims to Christ are fiercely opposed • 98% Muslim; .03% Christian (all secret believers) • Prayer Suggestion: Prayer Suggestion: Pray fervently with others (Rom. 15:30).
Optional Reading: Luke 23
Memory Verse for the Week: I Peter 1:22
