Exodus 22
Instructions regarding stealing property verse 1- 4
If a man STEAL an ox – or a sheep – and kill it – or sell it
he will RESTORE five oxen for an ox
and four sheep for a sheep
IF a THIEF be found breaking up – and be SMITTEN that he die
there shall NO BLOOD be shed for him
IF the sun be risen upon him
there shall be BLOOD shed for him
FOR he should make FULL restitution
IF he have nothing
THEN he shall be SOLD for his THEFT
IF the THEFT be certainly found in his hand alive
whether it be ox – or ass – or sheep
he shall RESTORE double
Cattle that eat another’s grain verse 5
IF a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten
and shall put in his beast
and shall feed in another man’s field
and of the best of his own vineyard
shall he make RESTITUTION
Out of control fire verse 6
IF fire break out – and catch in thorns – so that the stacks of corn
or standing corn – or the field – be consumed therewith
he that kindled that fire shall surely
make RESTITUTION
Money/things stolen from safe keeping verse 7- 13
IF a man shall deliver unto his neighbor money or stuff to keep
and it be stolen out of the man’s house
IF the thief be found – let him pay double
IF the thief be not found
then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges
to see whether he have put his hand unto his
neighbor’s good
FOR all manner of trespass – whether it be for ox – ass – sheep
raiment – any manner of lost thing – which another challenges to be his the cause of both parties shall come before the judges
and whom the judges shall condemn
he shall pay DOUBLE unto his neighbor
IF a man deliver unto his neighbor an ass – ox – sheep – any beast – to keep
and it die – or be hurt – or driven away – no man seeing it
then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both
that he hath not put his hand unto
his neighbor’s goods
and the owner of it shall accept thereof
and he shall not make it good
And if it be stolen from him
he shall make RESTITUTION unto the owner thereof
IF it be torn in pieces – THEN let him bring it for witness
and he shall not make good that which was torn
Renting of animals verse 14- 15
And if a man BORROW ought of his neighbor – and it be hurt – or die
the owner thereof being not with it
he shall surely make it good
BUT if the owner thereof be with it – he shall not make it good
IF it be a hired thing – it came for his hire
Seducing a virgin verse 16- 17
And if a man ENTICE a maid that is not BETROTHED
and lie with her – he shall surely endow her to be his wife
IF her father utterly refuse to give her unto him
he shall PAY money according to the
DOWRY of virgins
Sorceress verse 18
Y OU shall not suffer a WITCH to live
Sexual relations with animal verse 19
Whosoever LIES with a BEAST shall surely be put to death
Sacrifice to false god verse 20
He that sacrifices unto any god – save unto the LORD ONLY
he shall be utterly DESTROYED
Vexing a stranger verse 21
YOU shalt neither vex a stranger – nor oppress him
FOR ye were strangers in the land of Egypt
Afflicting widow or fatherless verse 22- 24
YE shall not AFFLICT any WIDOW – or FATHERLESS child
IF you AFFLICT them in any wise – and they cry at all unto ME
I will surely hear their cry
And MY wrath shall wax hot – and I will kill you with the sword
and your wives shall be widows – and your children fatherless
Rules regarding lending money verse 25- 27
IF you LEND MONEY to any of MY people that is poor by you
you shall not be to him as a USURER
neither shall you lay upon him USURY
IF yhou at all take your neighbor’s raiment to pledge
you shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goes down
for that is his covering only – it is his raiment for his skin
Wherein shall he sleep?
and it shall come to pass – when he cries unto ME
that I will hear – FOR I am GRACIOUS
Don’t curse a ruler verse 28
You shall not revile the gods – nor curse the ruler of your people
Give proper offerings to the LORD verse 29- 30
You shall not delay to offer the FIRST of thy ripe FRUITS
and of thy liquors – the FIRSTBORN of your sons shall
you give unto ME
LIKEWISE shall you do with your oxen – sheep
seven days it shall be with his dam
on the eighth day you shall give it ME
Don’t eat animals killed by wild beasts verse 31
And ye shall be HOLY men unto ME
neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field
ye shall cast it to the dogs
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. (4290 “breaking up” [machtereth] means secret search, burglary, trespassing, housebreaking, or unexpected examination)
DEVOTION:
In the Theocracy of Israel, we find that the LORD establishes the laws of the land before they get into the Promised Land.
In every society there are those who are looking for the easy way to get money. These
individual think nothing of stealing money from others. They will rob them in the street.
They will take advantage of the poor. They will break into homes to take the possessions
to sell to those who will have no problem handling stolen things.
The LORD states that anyone who breaks into a home to steal the possessions of
someone else needs to be dealt with immediately. HE states that if a thief is killed in the
commitment of the crime of breaking into a house than there shall be no trial necessary.
This is not a crime but the ending of a crime.
Today we have many individuals who need money fast for drugs or other reasons. If our
society breaks down any more than it already is there will be many more people who are
very poor and in need of basic help. If some people think that the only way they can get
their basic needs met is to steal from others we will see more and more of homes having
people break into them.
The children of Israel were allowed to defend their home from home invasion from
thieves. In every society there has to be good laws to protect the individuals who are
trying to obey the laws.
God established laws that were good for the nation of Israel and have been good for other
nations as well. There are bad laws but they are not found in the Bible. There are laws
that are only enforced on the poor and not on the rich of the land. These are not good
laws.
CHALLENGE: Good citizens need to be able to defend themselves against those who would like to hurt them or steal from them!
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. (4117 “endow” [mahar] means to acquire as one’s wife, to pay a dowry for a bride, acquire by paying purchase-price, or to obtain in exchange)
DEVOTION: The plan of the LORD is for every woman to be a virgin when she marries. It is HIS plan for every man to be a virgin when he marries. The first relationship either should have should be with their spouse.
The LORD knew the nature of man who is not under the control of the Holy Spirit. HE knew that there would be times when a man would entice a young woman to have a relationship that is reserved for marriage.
Here we find instructions regarding what should happen when a man has a marital relationship with a woman who is not his wife. He is supposed to pay the father of the young virgin the bride price to make her his wife. If he is not willing to do this he is to be dealt with in another matter.
God wants us to honor women. HE honors them. We are to honor them too. Those who are not married should be waiting for the one the LORD has for them to marry.
Too many believers are not waiting and it is causing our society to think that there is nothing wrong with premarital relations that the LORD condemns. If all believers held to the standard the LORD has set we would have a different society in no time.
Obedience to the standard the LORD set for men and women would help bring back better families. Which in turn would cause others to know that we truly believe the standard of God is right. This would cause the church to be full of believers who are obedient to the LORD. Then this could cause society to take notice that they can be more respectful toward each other
CHALLENGE: Our world doesn’t hold to God’s stands every often and today it not the way the LORD wants men and women to behave. HE wants each man and woman to be a virgin when they are married and that should be the goal of every Christian today.
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: 18 You shall not suffer a witch to live. (3784 “witch” [kashaph] means sorcerers, to practice witchcraft or sorcery, engage in witchcraft, magician or to use enchantment)
DEVOTION: Too often children think it is OK to watch movies that deal with witches and warlocks. The world of magic is interesting to children. They like to watch the tricks that can be done by someone who does magic.
There are many movies that deal with people who can cast spells or hold meetings when they can call up those who are dead. Many of the cartoons deal with cartoon characters dealing with spirits that are roaming around in buildings.
We have a fascination with the world beyond the dead. We know what the Bible states about those who deal with this world but we still don’t realize that we are allowing that world to enter into the lives of our children.
Television and movies affect the thinking regarding magic and those who deal in that area. The Bible states that we are to avoid at all costs this world that is under the control of Satan and his angels.
God told the Israelites to put to death anyone who dealt in this area. King Saul went to the witch of Endor to try to talk with Samuel later in the book of Samuel. He was doing what the LORD condemned.
We find that many Christians are checking their horoscope in the paper to find out what kind of day they will have. This is not right. We are not to let Satan have any foothold in our lives. We think that it doesn’t affect our thinking but it does. Garbage in “equals garbage out:” Don’t let it in.
CHALLENGE: We need to teach our children to avoid this world. This means that video games and other sources should be checked before letting this world control their thinking and not the Bible.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
:25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. (5392 “usury” [neshek] means interest, usury. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: The concept of making money by means of interest is passé in our culture. With the advent of electronic banking (particularly credit cards), it became possible to spend more than one earned, and thus taking out loans became a way of life for most people in the West. These days most people are only concerned about their ability to make the next minimum credit card payment (or their car payment or house payment).
In the Old Testament, it was expected that one lend to the poor. In many cases, it would be an outright gift, with the recognition both that the poor person would not have the resources to repay the loan, and that in lending to the poor one was actually lending to God and was expecting God to be the one to repay the loan by His blessing our generosity. Again, the idea of getting rich through charging interest was never a part of God’s economy.
This passage reveals many things about us. One is our attitude toward our own personal possessions and money. Some of us are never satisfied by what we have and always want more in our materialistic world. Others simply lack generosity, and would never consider a lifestyle of giving money to others (such as the church or those doing the Lord’s will). We find it difficult to forgive even the smallest debt owed to us. Specifically, this passage challenges us to think about who the owner of our things is.
One of the things that we find borrowing does to us is limit our freedom to serve God in the way that we find we are supposed to. For example, many young people have not gone on the mission field because they are encumbered with student loan debt. Student’s going into the pastorate out of seminary are looking for high paying jobs, rather than simply God’s calling on their lives. True spiritual freedom is often connected with financial freedom, which is the ability not to make life’s decisions based on money alone. Trying to pay off one’s loans in this way often simply leads to a vicious cycle of more debt for many people. And declaring bankruptcy to escape paying one’s debts is unbiblical and defrauding those who have loaned us money.
CHALLENGE: Examine your attitude toward money. Are you in debt? If so, check out Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University today.
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: 28 You shall not revile the GOD, nor curse the ruler of your people. (430 “God” [elohiym] means supreme God, gods, magistrates, or judges. Some have translated this to be gods –elohim.
DEVOTION: How do we do with a list of rules? God doesn’t leave anyone or anything out when HE gives instruction to the children of Israel. HE is concerned about widows and orphans. HE is concerned about those who steal. HE is concerned about care of animals. HE is concerned about neighbors treating each other right. HE is concerned with virgins. HE was concerned about sexual relations with animals. HE was concerned about money. HE was concerned relationships between leaders and their people.
In this verse we have the relationship between the people and their leaders. To others it can mean magistrates, as rulers are mentioned next. This is not talking about not reviling false gods. We are to have nothing to do with false gods. In this same chapter it says to kill anyone who worships a false god. This is concentrating on leaders among the people.
So often we don’t give respect to those in authority over us. Sometimes we know that they are not people who honor the LORD. In the case of the children of Israel, Moses had picked men that he thought would be good judges among the people. Often even the best of leaders can put the wrong men into offices of authority.
Moses informs the people that they are to not put down God. The people are not to curse God. They are not to curse their leaders. They are to treat them right and with respect.
God wants us to honor and pray for those who are in authority over us. Our world is not a Biblical world. However, it doesn’t mean that we can stop praying and respecting those in authority.
Remember to pray for all those in local government and national government. Our prayers can be and should be foremost that they would come to be followers of Christ. Our prayers can help them move in that direction. God does answer prayer.
It is hard to pray for bad leaders. We have some in our government and in our courts. Throughout the Bible we are told that leaders are set up by God and taken down by God. This includes even bad leaders. It is hard to understand why God would put people who don’t love HIM over those who do love HIM. HE has done it in the past and will do it in the future.
We have to realize that God is working a plan that he established before the foundation of the world. HE only has a plan A.
CHALLENGE: Ask the LORD to give each of us the power to pray even for bad leaders. Teach us to still believe in miracles.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
First ripe fruit to LORD verse 29
First of your liquors verse 29
Firstborn sons verse 29
Firstborn animals verse 30
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Widow and fatherless cry to the LORD verse 23
LORD promises to hear them verse 23
Poor cry to the LORD verse 27
LORD promises to hear poor verse 27
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Offer first of ripe fruits verse 29
Give firstborn son to the LORD verse 29
Offer firstborn of cattle verse 30
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah) verse 11, 20
Hear the cry of afflicted verse 23
Wrath verse 24
LORD is GRACIOUS verse 27
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Restitution verse 1, 3, 5, 6, 12
Restore double verse 4, 7, 9
If you kindle a fire – make restitution verse 6
Judges verse 8, 9
Neighbor verse 9- 11
Stranger verse 21
Egypt verse 21
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Steal verse 1, 12
Thief verse 2- 4, 8
Trespass verse 9
Entice verse 16
Witch = death verse 18
Lie with a beast = death verse 19
Sacrifice to false gods verse 20
Vex a stranger verse 21
Afflict a widow verse 22
Afflict fatherless child verse 22
No usury to poor verse 25
Raiment as pledge = return before sundown verse 26, 27
Revile verse 28
Curse the ruler verse 28
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Oath of the LORD verse 11
Lend to the poor without interest verse 25
Gracious verse 27
Holy verse 31
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Borrow verse 14
Entice a maid = not betrothed = wife verse 16, 17
If father objects a dowry is paid
Cast torn beasts flesh to dogs verse 31
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Smitten that he die verse 2
Put to death verse 18- 20
LORD kills those who afflict verse 24
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DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org Also if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
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QUOTES regarding passage
20. Utterly destroyed. Alt, quoted by Hyatt, by a slight emendation, makes this read ‘Whoever sacrifices to other gods shall be put to death’, where ‘other’ takes the place of utterly destroyed, as in the Samaritan and some mss of the lxx. As it stands, however, the strong wording is only explaining Exodus 20:3 in terms of sacrificial worship. The man guilty of this sin comes under the sacred ‘ban’: he must be destroyed, as the Canaanites were to be destroyed before Israel. (Cole, R. A. (1973). Exodus: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 2, p. 182). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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22:18–20. The three sins mentioned in these verses merited the death penalty; they anticipated Israel’s struggle against the worship of idols. The first deals with female practitioners of sorcery (telling the future or controlling others by demonic power; see comments on Deut. 18:9–12 and on Dan. 2:2); the second is bestiality (cf. Lev. 20:16; Deut. 27:21) which figured prominently in Canaanite Baal worship (cf. Lev. 18:23–24); and the third deals with sacrificing to any god other than the true One, the Lord (cf. Ex. 20:3–5). (Hannah, J. D. (1985). Exodus. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 143). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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22:20 utterly destroyed. Lit. meaning “put to the ban” or “devoted to sacred use,” which in this case meant death (cf. Jos 7:2ff.). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ex 22:20). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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In the midst of this section of social laws is a segment that is concerned with pagan practices, all of which are capital offenses. Sorcery is not to be tolerated (v. 18; Deut. 18:9–14 contains an expanded list of such offenses). Bestiality (v. 19) was obviously a problem that would face Israel in Canaan, because this issue is mentioned several more times in the Pentateuch (Lev. 18:23; 20:16; Deut. 27:21). Verse 20 prohibits sacrificing to any other god. Apparently this is meant to make explicit a point not specifically mentioned in connection with the first two commandments (Exod. 20:3–5). (Hoffmeier, J. K. (1995). Exodus. In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, p. 56). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.)
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Ver. 20. He that sacrificeth unto any god, &c.] To Elohim, to strange gods, to the idols of the people, as the Targum of Jonathan; to the Egyptian deities, to the gods of the Moabites, Amorites, Edomites, Canaanites, Philistines, or any other: Aben Ezra says the word Elohim comprehends angels; and by the exceptive clause it is plain it takes in all that had been, were, or ever would be the objects of idolatrous worship, especially the sun, moon, and stars, the principal objects of worship in those days: save unto the Lord only; the true and living God; Jehovah, the self-existent, immutable, and eternal Being; the Creator of all things, the possessor of heaven and earth, the most high God, and the only one: sacrificing takes in all the acts of service performed to an idol as to the true God, as offering incense, pouring out a libation, as well as slaying and burning an animal, as Jarchi observes: he shall be utterly destroyed; be accursed, anathematized, devoted to destruction, as the word used signifies: the Targum of Jonathan is, “he shall be killed with the sword, and his goods consumed,” not only lose his life but his substance, and so be destroyed in body and estate. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, p. 448). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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JONATHAN EDWARDS for Armchair Theologians by James P. Byrd
The solution came in the Half Way Covenant of 1662, a strategy worked out by a special synod of ministers. In particular, the Half Way Covenant sought to address the issue posed by the large number of adults who had been baptized in the church, grown up under its care, but never testified to a converting faith and, therefore, never become full members. (p. 68)
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In effect, he wanted to return to the earlier practice of the Puritan tradition, requiring that all applicants for full membership give a profession of faith that could be judged by the church. (p. 70)
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Edwards was committed to the ideal situation – he wanted a powerful church with close ties to civil government, the power needed to reform society. (p. 72)
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Puritans were horrified that France, an archenemy of England ministers, including Solomon Stoddard, often said that God judged the English for their lack of success in evangelizing Native Americans, and many considered the violent attacks to be part of that judgment. (p. 75)
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To paraphrase King Solomon, to the writing of statements there is no end. However last week, I was honored to be included among the original signatories of The Philadelphia Statement, an essential appeal at this important moment in our cultural history. Acknowledging the current crisis overwhelming speech rights, the Philadelphia Statement calls for it to be protected, as an essential condition for the survival and flourishing of self-governing people.
The Philadelphia Statement is, in a sense, comparable to the Harper’s Letter, published just a few weeks ago and signed by dozens of influential, left-of-center artists, scientists and others. As more than a few of us noted, a few of the original signatories of that letter had a hand in building the sort of cancel culture they were rebuking. The Philadelphia Statement is, in this sense, more intellectually honest.
“Freedom of expression is in crisis,” the Statement begins. “Truly open discourse—the debates, exchange of ideas, and arguments on which the health and flourishing of a democratic republic crucially depend—is increasingly rare. Ideologues demonize opponents to block debates on important issues and to silence people with whom they disagree.”
This paragraph is an answer to the well-meaning Christians who, at times, ask whether it is appropriate to be involved in “political debates” over things like free speech or religious freedom. Part of the Christian’s calling is to steward and protect good things. Freedom of expression is one of those good things, and not just for us.
After all, a free marketplace of ideas provides the best opportunity for people to discover the Truth. Only when bad ideas aren’t silenced but rather met with better ideas can we truly learn. The Philadelphia Statement says it this way: “Dissenting and unpopular voices… have often guided our society toward more just positions.”
For the Christian, supporting free speech is evidence of our confidence in the Gospel. We believe Truth always will win out, no matter which ideas oppose it. And, it’s only in the Gospel that we find any logical grounding for free expression in the first place. Again, here’s how the Statement puts it:
“If we seek a brighter future, we must relearn a fundamental truth. That our liberty and happiness depend upon the maintenance of a public culture in which freedom and civility co-exist. Where people can disagree robustly, even fiercely, yet treat each other as human beings, and indeed fellow citizens, not mortal enemies.”
Only the Gospel has been able to historically ground any real sort of universal human dignity and respect, including for those with whom we disagree. Only if we acknowledge that each person is independently related to God, created in His image, and uniquely valuable regardless of anything else about them, can we establish cause to respect and protect their freedom of expression, no matter how wacky.
Whenever the Church is silent or marginalized, other cultural forces step in as a de facto Church, playing its societal role, only without any crucial grounding for objective truth or human value. In such a world, those in power, whether state forces or Twitter mobs, claim the authority to decide which ideas, and which people, are acceptable. Those deemed unacceptable are dismissed from publishing, from academic research and other university settings, from media platforms, or, in extreme cases throughout history, from existing.
Not only does this kind of cancel culture devastate those individuals, it impoverishes the larger public. Even more, cancel culture is a wasteful deception, promising what it can never deliver. A twisted arm can never make a true believer.
To be clear, I signed the Philadelphia Statement, not because I think the Gospel can ever truly be cancelled. Let the Twitter mobs rage. God’s Word will continue to spread as He sees fit. I signed the Philadelphia Statement because I believe every person is created in the image of God, and to deny anyone’s freedom of expression is to deny their worth. Stewarding this very good freedom is, in my view, a way to love my neighbor.
(Break Point)
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Daniel 5
Handwriting appears on the wall, prophesying the king’s death.
INSIGHT
It is a terrible thing to go into the presence of God in our own merit. All have sinned and fall short of His glory. Belshazzar discovers this truth. While he revels–desecrating the holy implements from the temple–the hand of God writes on the wall: “You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting” (v. 27). In the providence and grace of God, we can come before Him in the merit of Christ Jesus–holy and undefiled.
(Quiet Walk)
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GOD’S ETERNAL DECREES
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Ephesians 1:4
God’s manner or method of working is what is commonly called the doctrine of the eternal decrees of God. These are the things that God determined and ordained before He had done anything at all. We must approach this subject with an open mind, seeking and searching for the teaching of Scripture.
There are certain things that our finite minds will not be able to reconcile with one another. Here I must introduce the word antinomy. What is an antinomy? It is a position in which you are given two truths that you yourself cannot reconcile. There are certain final antimonies in the Bible, and as people of faith we must be ready to accept that. When somebody says, “Oh, but you cannot reconcile those two,” you must be ready to say, “I cannot. I do not pretend to be able to. But I believe what I am told in the Scriptures.” For example, I know the Bible tells me that man, in a sense, is a free agent, and on the other hand that God’s eternal decrees govern everything.
In the light of the nature and character of God, the doctrine of the eternal decrees must follow as an utter, absolute necessity. Because God is who and what He is, He must work in the way in which He does work. From eternity God has had an unchangeable plan with reference to His creatures. The Bible is constantly using phrases such as “before the foundation of the world”(see Ephesians 1:4).
God’s plan comprehends and determines all things and events of every kind that come to pass. If you believe that God has determined certain ends, then you must believe that He determines everything that leads to those ends. The doctrine of the eternal decrees of God says that all things are ultimately determined and decreed by Him.
A Thought to Ponder
From eternity God has had an unchangeable plan with reference to His creatures.
(From God the Father, God the Son, pp. 93, 95-96, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Rest and Work
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
There are many types of burdens we may try to carry. Consider the burdens of sorrow, pain, grief, fear, worry, and— above all—sin that plague us. In today’s text, Christ promises hope for the “heavy laden” if we will but come to Him and accept His gracious offer of salvation and cleansing. He will either remove the burden, lighten it, or give us strength to bear it, whichever is best. His offer of rest includes inward peace even in times of trouble here, and perfect peace hereafter.
It may sound paradoxical, but we can actually lighten our load by taking up His “yoke.” “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). In our text, Christ said we are to learn of Him, thus emulating His meekness and lowliness in heart as we carry our cross. If we accept His yoke in humility because of our love for Him, we can endure every hardship and bear every burden with hope and patience.
Even though we are children of the King, we still have work to do. It has always been so, for even sinless Adam and Eve were responsible for tending the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15). God knew that idleness and lack of responsibility were improper. Likewise, in the future we will have responsibilities given to us according to the handling of our responsibilities in this life (Matthew 25:21). We may be coregents of the kingdom (Revelation 20:6), but we will still have our responsibilities.
The burdens He gives us now are not oppressive, but with His help, and with the proper attitude, His yoke is easy and His burden is light. It is a “rest” to work for Him.
(JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)