Highlights:
God speaks of His blessings at Mount Gerizim through Jacob's six children by his two wives. His curses are pronounced by the children of his concubines at Mount Ebal. The blessings result from obedience and faithfulness. The curses result from disobeying the Word of God! Take note of the Law of the offering of firstfruits.
Verses for Today:
Thou shalt not have in thine house divers 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 . . . giveth thee. For all that do . . . unrighteously, are an abomination (detestable) unto the Lord thy God (Deut. 25:14-16).
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. It is of utmost importance in our business dealings with others not to take advantage of them or misrepresent the facts. We must conduct our business transactions in a true Christian way that conforms to the character of our Heavenly Father. It is cruel to neglect to pay what one owes. God hates lying and thievery. We can exercise the principles of justice and equity or take advantage of others. Dishonesty is expressed in various ways: wasting time on the job, taking what doesn't belong to us, unethically conducting business, and lying. These are an abomination to God.
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; comp. Matt. 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.
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 (II Cor. 10:3-5).
Thought for Today:
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21).
Christ Revealed:
Through the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and Pharaoh (Deut. 26:8). Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world (Gal. 1:3-4).
Word Studies:
24:3 hate =dislike; 24:4 abomination =detestable; 24:10 pledge = loan, security; 25:1 unto judgment =to court; 25:13 divers =different; 26:5 sojourned =swelled temporarily; 26:6 evil entreated us =treated us harshly; bondage =cruel slavery; 26:10 set =offer; 26:14 in my mourning =in distress, defiled ceremonially; hearkened =listened; 26:18 peculiar people =treasured possession; 26:19 holy =consecrated; 27:11 charged =commanded; 27:15 an abomination = detestable thing; 27:16 setteth light by =disgraces, dishonors; 27:19 perverteth the judgment =denies justice or the rights; 27:24 smiteth =strikes, kills; 27:25 taketh reward =accepts a bribe; 27:26 confirmeth not =ails to live by word of this Law.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Rev. Al Joslyn • Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Reverend Michael Hall • Country: Benin (6 million) in western Africa • Major languages: French and tribal languages • Some hostility toward Christians • 59% animism and voodoo; 17% Muslim; 16% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Ask according to the will of God and you will receive (John 16:24).
Optional Reading: Luke 24
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:3-6