Read: Deuteronomy 24
In Today's Scripture Reading:
Divorce; domestic relations; firstfruits and tithes; the Law on Mount Ebal; an altar on Mount Gerizim.
Moses, the lawgiver and prophet, placed great emphasis on the necessity of honesty and truthfulness in all areas of life. When presenting the Law, he warned against two sets of weights and measures — one for buying and the other for selling: Thou shalt not have in thine house divers (different) measures, a great and a small. But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure . . . that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. For all that do . . . unrighteously, are an abomination (detestable) unto the Lord thy God (Deuteronomy 25:14-16).
God hates lying and thievery. Each of us has the opportunity to exercise the principles of justice and equity or to take advantage of others. There are various forms of dishonesty such as wasting time on the job, taking what doesn't belong to us, unethically conducting business, lying, and committing fraud. God's Law includes them all.
Our conduct with others goes much deeper than either word or deed; it goes to the hidden motives of our hearts and reveals what we truly are. Jesus taught: From within, out of the heart of men, proceed . . . All . . . evil things . . . and defile the man (Mark 7:21-23; compare Matthew 15:19-20). This means that the thoughts and actions of a Christian should always be the expression of what Jesus would think and do.
The attitude of fairness and consideration for others' well-being applies to a Christian's daily relationships with others. It is possible to have bitter thoughts while doing kind deeds and to say loving words while having wrong attitudes and motives. But, our Adamic nature and its self-serving conduct can be overcome by the Christ-centered nature that He has bestowed within us. The self-centered "I" must give way to Christ and His control.
Abraham, the father of the faithful (Romans 4:11), exemplified this principle as he gave up his right to the possession of the best land to his nephew Lot in order to settle a dispute (Genesis 13:8-9).
We do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (fleshly), but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) . . . bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
Word Studies:
24:12 not sleep with his pledge, not to withhold wages that were due; 25:18 smote the hindmost of thee, struck down those who were feeble and lagged behind; 27:16 setteth light by, dishonors, insults, disgraces.
Christ Revealed:
Through the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and Pharaoh (Deuteronomy 26:8). Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world (Galatians 1:3-4).
Optional Reading: Luke 24
Memory Verse for the Week: Joshua 1:8
