God reiterates and enlarges upon the provisions of the Law in such a way as to help His people understand His intention. They may not be able always to know the letter of the Law, because it was impossible to cover every circumstance in the provisions of the Law. So He reveals His heart in these reiterations. Once again, although these may not apply specifically and directly to us New Testament people of God, we should seek to understand them if we want to be His people. His people will want to be like Him, and want to understand His heart so that we can please Him and be like Him.
Yesterday we read about the dietary laws, which revealed God’s intention that His people be holy – pure and set apart, distinct from those who were not God’s people.
His requirements for settling debts every seventh year and setting slaves free demonstrate a concern for the needy that would prompt them to do something to help them. It also required them to hold wealth lightly and to be unselfish in sharing the wealth God gave. His intention was that they would choose the way of His blessing and thus would be so blessed that they would have no poor in their land; however, He addressed the reality that there would be poor people. Thus, there is no contradiction between verses 15:4 and 15:11, only a conciliation to the reality of sin necessitating the need to care for the poor. His plan for that was that the wealthy would take care of them by their generosity springing from a willing heart as they enjoyed God’s abundance.
Observing the designated holy days made institutions of their remembrances of their enslavement in Egypt, God’s leading them out to freedom, and His establishing them as a nation of His covenant people. These became an important and distinctive part of their culture, as our holidays are important and distinctive parts of our culture. Remembrance is an important part of the Church, as remembering in the observance of communion is one of only two commands Jesus gave us. What means have you implemented in your own life to remember the milestones in your personal relationship with God?
Rejoicing was also an important part of their holy day observances. We are told to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Our joy is important to God!
Part of their most important holiday observances were congregating in Jerusalem, and bringing gifts to God, giving as each was able, according to how God had blessed each one. Both gathering and giving should be important to us as well.
Justice is important to God. So is showing mercy. Justice is what is right (not necessarily happy or convenient) for all parties. We all want justice for ourselves when we are wronged. Generally, we have the luxury of taking justice for granted in our culture, and thus don’t treasure it as much as those who have had to struggle to receive justice, or don’t enjoy it at all. Think about what a treasure justice is; doesn’t it instill love in your heart for a just God who values justice? Mercy requires one giving up what is his, possibly including justice. Think about that with regard to circumstances in your life for which you desire justice. What we receive from God should be extended to others.
God wanted them to avoid worship practices that were common to others’ worship of their man-made gods. Man’s ideas about demonstrating devotion are not necessarily shared by God; where the two differ, God’s ideas prevail, and man’s ideas are junk.
Removal of that which threatened to lead them away from God was important enough to invoke the death penalty. Let’s understand clearly that God’s imposition of the death penalty for those who attempted to lead others away from Him did not demonstrate a low value of life, but a high value of devotion to God.
Submitting to the decisions of the authorities God set in place was important. Again, the harshness of the penalty for failing to do so demonstrates how important that was to God. Our democratic society may not share that value, but that is of no importance in the matter. God clearly intends for His people to submit to the decisions of their God-given leaders, for if He gives the leaders, the people are submitting to Him in submitting to them. God doesn’t appreciate our having our own minds where He has revealed truth or His will.
Again, a kingdom was not God’s choice for their government, but reality dictated that He provide for it anyway. The design of a kingdom in conformance to the Law provided that their kings were not to build up the nation’s security in anything or anyone but God. They were to avoid the wielding of power that foreign kings exercised, such as building a harem and stashing and living in great wealth. This would have distinguished Israel’s kings from every king around them, and kept them humble and closer to the people. Kings were also expected to know God’s word and rule the nation by it.
What do you think of God’s standards for His people? What do you think of God for setting such standards for His people? Why don’t you talk that over with Him today?