Is it just me, or do the consequences for disobedience seem to far outweigh the blessings for obedience?
Father, I would like to better understand Your Story in regard to the blessings and cursings attached to obedience or the lack thereof.
Today's OYCB reading deals with a socio-economic structure for Israel complete with instructions for ethics, money, and holidays.
Idolatry and eating unclean animals are the extent of warning against sin in today's reading. The penalty for idolatry is severe.
The instructions for money are straightforward with specific detail given for the annual tithe and its placement. Along with the tithe, directions are clear for the mechanics of debt and servitude (slavery). It appears slavery is as much a vital part of Israel's socio-economic structure as giving is.
And what social structure would be complete without holidays? The Israelites are given clear directions for taking some time off! That time off is not complete unless they remember what and why they are celebrating.
Father, I see so many answers to socio-economic questions in today's reading.
“But you may butcher your animals and eat their meat in any town whenever you want. You may freely eat the animals with which the LORD your God blesses you. All of you, whether ceremonially clean or unclean, may eat that meat, just as you now eat gazelle and deer. But you must not consume the blood. You must pour it out on the ground like water. [Deuteronomy 12.15-16]
Perhaps a clue is found here as to why the Israelites complained of having no food in the wilderness. It would appear there was some restriction against eating their domestic livestock while in the wilderness. Whether or not it was a longstanding restriction or just for the wilderness journey is unknown.
I would think I was just "reading into this" except for the mention of the fact that they had indeed been eating wild game all along.
Hmm.
Father, it is unknown to me why the Israelites would not eat their domestic livestock while in the wilderness - if there is a clue in the Bible somewhere help me find it. Regardless, I am pleased to discover the answer to what had become a big question in my mind: why the people were hungry when they had all that livestock with them. Apparently, there was indeed some reason that they would/could not eat their livestock. Thank You.
Therefore, you must obey all these commands, decrees, and regulations I am giving you today. [Deuteronomy 7.11]
It is hard not to make today's reading about me. Even knowing the truth about Jesus and His work on my behalf, my upbringing compels me to apply the rules of the Old Testament to myself. Likewise my upbringing (ie. religion) compels me to apply all these rules to everyone else around me as well.
Without consideration of the whole story, the verse above would be not just troubling, but damning.
Father, thank You for Your Story throughout the Bible. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the faith to believe in Jesus. Help me to walk in this faith!
“But be very careful! You did not see the LORD’s form on the day he spoke to you from the heart of the fire at Mount Sinai. So do not corrupt yourselves by making an idol in any form—whether of a man or a woman, an animal on the ground, a bird in the sky, a small animal that scurries along the ground, or a fish in the deepest sea. And when you look up into the sky and see the sun, moon, and stars—all the forces of heaven—don’t be seduced into worshiping them. The LORD your God gave them to all the peoples of the earth. Remember that the LORD rescued you from the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt in order to make you his very own people and his special possession, which is what you are today. [Deuteronomy 4.15-20]
What IS an idol?
Is it anything that one chooses to worship?
Or, is it anything one forms to look like something else?
Do family photos qualify?
Is a cross on the mantle or on a gold chain worn around the neck an idol?
Is it an act of worship to form or buy an object formed to look like something else and keep it as a possession?
Judging by the entire meticulous nature of "the Law of Moses" I would not be so quick as to simply pass these questions off as trite or foolish. Are we so saturated in idolatry that we cannot even see it? Are we so lost in the trees that we cannot see the forest?
Father, I want to honestly and genuinely ask this question: what IS an idol?
Today's OYCB reading was a recap of events after Isarel's departure from Egypt up to the time they arrived at the Jordan river 40 years later to inhabit the Promised Land.
How might the entire story have been different if Israel had simply obeyed God the first time around and conquered the land? They would not have had the 40-year stint in the Wilderness for starters.
Israel arrived at their destination a few days after leaving Egypt and had the opportunity to enter right in, but they blew it... Their demise started with the 'brilliant' idea of sending scouts in. One goofy decision led to 40 years of suffering and wandering.
Father, I want to at least try to obey the voice of Your Spirit as You speak into my life. Help me to avoid my own brilliant ideas that may be nothing but preparation for failure and doubt.
Numbers 32: plans change. I find it comforting that the tribes of Gad and Reuben asked to stay on the east side of the Jordan. If ever there were doubts about the authenticity of the Bible, this account brings a real human element to the story giving it a real-life feel.
Father, thank You for the account of Gad and Reuben wanting to establish their inheritance and dwelling on the east side of the Jordan River and the credibility it brings to the exodus story.
