One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for Wednesday March 30th
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Click Here to Read Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23
In chapter 13, Moses gives a stern warning about the false prophets that emerge from within the community. One of the reasons why God wants the Israelites to completely destroy the nations in Canaan is so the Israelites would not be tempted to worship their gods. But in this case it seems like the false prophets have risen within the ranks to tempt their fellow brothers and sisters.
In this case some of what they had said comes to pass, but the their fatal flaw is that instead of attributing the supernatural work to God, they attribute it to other gods. God allowed this to happen in order to test the Israelites and see if their love for him was real. We know that in cults and other religions today, some things do happen that might be categorized as supernatural. But if they don't give the glory to Yahweh, they are also false prophets as well.
The penalty is severe. These false prophets must be put to death. The seriousness of the sin was that God was a jealous God and would not tolerate His people worshipping other gods. Those who did so had to be dealt with in this way so the corruption would not spread. They were also an example and deterrent to others who were tempted to go down the same path.
In the beginning of chapter 14, we see all the regulations about what the Israelites could and could not eat. The reason was that God had chosen them as his special treasure and possession, and he did not want them to eat animals, fish, or birds, which were unclean. We also know that many of these animals would cause disease even today if eaten, so these laws protected the Israelites from sickness and even death.
The end of the chapter describes the giving of tithes. The tithe was one tenth of the crops, which were given to God acknowledging that He was the one who made them prosper. By giving Him the first tenth they were affirming that it came from God first. It kept them from pridefully thinking that by their own talent, wisdom, or skill were responsible for these provisions.
The same is true today. As we give to God first, we are saying that all of what we have has been given to us by him. We are merely returning a portion to him to be used grow his kingdom on earth through the local church. Giving generously also breaks the grip of materialism that affect so many today.
Lest we think God didn't care about the poor, chapter 15 explains all the ways the Israelites were to provide for poor, and even their slaves. God would bless them so much that there would be no reason for there to be anyone poor among them if they took care of them. There was also a stipulation that anybody who had a debt would be released from that debt at the end of every seven years. This redistribution of wealth helped eliminate a huge gap between the rich and the poor. Or, someone being in so much debt, they could never climb their way out of it.
The same was true for the Hebrew slaves, who were set free after seven years of service. Their owners were to give them a generous gift, but if the slave wanted to stay with the family for life they could do so. The sacrifice of the first born male animals was a similar concept as the tithe. They were to give God their very best, none of the firstborn male animals from the herd who were blemished were to be offered as a sacrifice.
This is looking foward God's firstborn son, Jesus the unblemished Lamb of God who was sacrificed for our sin so we could be set free!
Click Here to Read Luke 8:40-9:6
Jesus continues to show the authority to heal in two different situations.
1. As Jesus is walking to the home of Jairus, the synagogue ruler, a woman with a bleeding issue touches the hem of his garment and is healed. The woman had such great faith, she figured just one touch of Jesus garment would stop her bleeding. Jesus saw her great faith, and she was healed in an instant. John 15 tells us to "stay in touch" with Jesus, or "abide in him", we will bear much fruit.
2. As he gets to Jairus' home, people are already mourning over the death of his 12 year old daughter. When Jesus arrives and asks where she is at, they laugh at the fact he thinks he could heal her. It's strange they are weeping for the girl at one moment, and laughing at Jesus the next. Whatever the case, when Jesus sees her, he tells her to get up, and at that moment she is healed. With just one word, Jesus raises her from the dead.
Just one touch. Just one word. In faith these people received a word and a touch from Jesus and were healed. Where do you need Jesus' touch or His word to heal you?
3. Finally, Jesus makes the critical transition from doing the minstry with the disciples, to sending them out to do the ministry in his name and authority. He sends them out to do the same things he did. Teaching about the kingdom, healing the sick, and casting out demons. They were take no clothes or food, and stay only in the homes where they were offered hospitality. This was so teach them to be totally dependent on God for everything.
Sure enough, as they went out the preached the good news and healed the sick they did the same things he did. The disciples were now becoming like their master. The best defintion of discipleship is, "Learning to the do the things Jesus would do if he were me!"
How do you feel about the fact that Jesus wants you to teach others about him and heal the sick and cast out demons?
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