Highlights In Today's Reading:
It is amazing how God arranged the blessings at Mount Gerizim with Jacob's six children by his two wives. Most of the curses at Mount Ebal were pronounced by the children of his concubines. While blessings result from obedience and faithfulness, severe punishments and judgment are the inevitible result of disobeying God's Word!
God required that all of Israel's business transactions reflect His integrity and justice. Deception and dis honesty too often have marked the business principals of the world then and now.
Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures . . . But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight . . . that thy days may be lengthened. . . . For . . . all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God (25:14-16).
Israel was taught to observe equity and honesty in all business transactions. A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is His delight (Proverbs 11:1). Clever half-truths, questionable manipulations in business, and all such conduct are not only condemned but are abominable before God. Christianity goes beyond these rules and regulations and requires the practice of the Golden Rule. Jesus said: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the Law of the prophets (Matthew 7:12). The Christian must govern his daily transactions in a way that conforms to the character of his Heavenly Father. All misrepresentations, or taking advantage of the ignorant, are abhorred by the Lord. For man to refuse to pay his debts is dishonest.
Christians are to live by the law of love: Let love be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good (Romans 12:9).
Often the believer will be exposed to innumerable disappointments; he may be deceived by someone he trusts or injured by others he has helped to benefit. All these disappointments give the believer the opportunity to exercise the character and nature of God in the spirit of forgiving love and long-suffering. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).
Our Lord leads us to consider others and admonishes us to think of our neighbor as our equal and someone whom God loves and whom Jesus gave His life to save. He persuades us to overcome our selfishness and consider our neighbor's best interest. In our thoughts, we should change places with the person with whom we have business dealings and ask ourselves: "If he were where I am, and I were where he is, how would I want him to treat me in this transaction?" We need to: Look not every man on his own things, but everyman on the things of others (Philippians 2:4).
Thought for Today:
Satan loves to discredit a Christian's testimony by tempting us to be involved in questionable or even dishonest practices. Only let your conversation (daily conduct) be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27).
Christ Revealed:
Through the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and Pharaoh (Deuteronomy 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:
24:12 not sleep with his pledge =b> not to withhold wages that were due; 25:18 smote the hindmost of thee =b> struck down those who were feeble and lagged behind; 27:16 setteth light by =b> dishonors, insults, disgraces.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Rep. Vito Fossella (NY) • Country: French Guiana (168,000) on the northern coast of South America • Major language: French • Religious freedom • 85% Christian; 9.5% non-Religious/other; 2% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that the will of God be done in every situation you face today (Matthew 6:10).
Optional Reading: Luke 24
Memory Verse for the Week: I Peter 1:15