#352 Overflowing

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.

10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.

11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

 Deuteronomy 28: 1-14 KJV

God's grace is a marvelous thing but it has an end. We all have a limited amount of time to seek Him while He may be found. No one likes the word "if" because they would like to add more to it, that their sin not be forgiven but rather deemed fit. But He says if thou hearken and observe and do all his commandments, you will be lifted up, established, the people of God. But herein is the key or disaster, you can't go after other gods. You can't throw away reason, defy the One true God. You may be confused about a lot of things, but going after that which appeals to the flesh, the feelings, your emotions, may often be treason to the Spirit and truth of the matter. I see here a God ready to bless this people, a God that has held back from executing final justice in order to reconcile a people to the glory that is Him. There is so much evidence of God's blessing to them in that they have achieved what was not possible to them. They are about to take the land that they have not earned, they are no longer in Egypt, they have heard the words of God and witnessed his power. There will be kings that rise up from this small nation, that see so much of the promise above, yet calamity is never far off. It was said of Solomon that the Queen of the South traveled from afar to see his greatness. No nation has been so blessed with prophets, the Word of God, a cloud by day, fire by night, and the Messiah, the very blessing to all the world, walking among them. "If" we could just stay here.

When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the Lord, she came to test Solomon with hard questions.2 Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind.3 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at[a] the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.

6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. 8 How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”

10 And she gave the king 120 talents[b] of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

11 (Hiram’s ships brought gold from Ophir; and from there they brought great cargoes of almugwood[c] and precious stones. 12 The king used the almugwood to make supports[d] for the temple of the Lord and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. So much almugwood has never been imported or seen since that day.)

13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for, besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.

Solomon’s Splendor

14 The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents,[e] 15 not including the revenues from merchants and traders and from all the Arabian kings and the governors of the territories.

16 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels[f] of gold went into each shield. 17 He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold, with three minas[g] of gold in each shield. The king put them in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.

18 Then the king made a great throne covered with ivory and overlaid with fine gold. 19 The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them. 20 Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom.21 All King Solomon’s goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in Solomon’s days.22 The king had a fleet of trading ships[h] at sea along with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.

23 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. 24 The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. 25 Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.

26 Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses,[i] which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. 27 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. 28 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue[j]—the royal merchants purchased them from Kue at the current price.29 They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty.[k] They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans. 1 Kings 10 NIV

And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.

30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.

31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. Luke 11: 29-32

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#351 Cursing then Blessing

And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.

2 And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:

3 And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LordGod of thy fathers hath promised thee.

4 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.

5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the Lord thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.

6 Thou shalt build the altar of the Lord thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord thy God:

7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the Lord thy God.

8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

9 And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God.

10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,

12 These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:

13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

14 And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,

15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.

19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

20 Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.

22 Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

23 Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.

24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.

25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.

26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen. Deuteronomy 27 KJV

The stones were not to be touched by iron, chiseled into images, but kept whole just as Christ becomes the chief cornerstone for us and the Word to dwell among us. There is no added beauty to them, they are not carved out to our liking, there is no art or selling point to Christ either as both the altar and the sacrifice. Isaiah says, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. The stones are simply plastered and then the law is written upon them, and for the law there must come the sacrifice, the payment. What are words otherwise, but writ or sounds, no, the sacrifice insures the meaning. It speaks to that which we are born without. Yet here they offered up a peace offering and ate there in the presence of a Holy God. Jesus said, behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him. This is the beautiful thing about the sacrifice, and all these with the stones, rams and bulls, they only told the story of the breech and the necessity of Messiah. It all looked forward to the promise of God, the seed that would crush the serpent's head. This reconciles us back to the table, able to sit with the Creator, and only in our foolishness could we ever not see that as a marvelous thing. Only in arrogance could a man not want to know who created everything. The law tells us that there is a breech and why, but Christ brings us grace, an invitation to peace and communion. Welcome to the Promised land, but keep in mind you wouldn't be here on your own and we are always less than a generation away from wholesale depravity. You are God's people, He brought you here and there are two sides to a covenant. Cursed be the one that does not uphold it and does not teach their children that God gives grace to the humble but He resists the proud. Just as sin brings the curse in Adam, and the list of transgressions in this chapter speak to another way, so a new life in Christ brings the blessings. Now with the curse you know, it was not always this way, but everything has changed, and the heart cannot be trusted. Jesus is the way, and in Him there is a renewed heart and mind, check your thoughts and actions against His word, pray without ceasing. 

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:1-19 KJV

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#350 Your Story

And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein;

2 That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name there.

3 And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto the Lord thy God, that I am come unto the country which the Lord sware unto our fathers for to give us.

4 And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the Lord thy God.

5 And thou shalt speak and say before the Lord thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:

6 And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:

7 And when we cried unto the Lord God of our fathers, the Lord heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:

8 And the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:

9 And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.

10 And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God:

11 And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.

12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

13 Then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them.

14 I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the Lord my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.

15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

16 This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

17 Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:

18 And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;

19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken. Deuteronomy 26 KJV

The Pentecost, first fruits, the acknowledgement of God and the testimony of how we are here. This was the land that He promised and here I am offering up the first fruits of this land. This is a grand thing for this people, who have not well held up their own words, but the words here are the testimony of their parentage in Syria, the land of their father Jacob, Egypt and being brought out. This is a relationship held up by the Creator, but this is not the first promise. As grand a place as it is, flowing with milk and honey, the way has taught them to trust in a God that does what He says He will do, a God that is Holy and long suffering. The gospel will come first to this people; it can be seen already in the Pentateuch. What was the original promise? In Genesis 3 we read:

¹⁵ I will put enmity between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring^[e] and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
    and you shall bruise his heel.”

In Genesis 12 we read of God and his promise to Abraham, and that he would be a blessing to all nations. God's word would be held by the oracle of this people and that Word would become flesh and dwell among us. He would be the testimony that we would take before a Holy and Just God, that I did not know You, but you made Yourself known to me. I was lost and did not realize it at the time, but you found me. With the blood of bulls you taught me, but by the stripes of Your own Son you saved me. Without you I would not exist, without your word I would not know what to say. 

Then those who have received what they did not deserve, a land which they were not welcome in, would gladly bring forth their first fruits. To be children like their Father in heaven, then they would in joy and kindness give to the stranger, the widow and the Levite as well. Those who have received what they could never earn should run to give and then tell. The physical giving is the heart that would first quiet the stomach, so the ears can hear the words by which the Spirit brings faith. 

So there was the promise of the seed of the woman, a promise to Abraham of a seed that would bless all nations, and a promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. Christ also promised His disciples a Comforter when he left:

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.[b] 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:


17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus,[c] delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,


“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,


“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
The Fellowship of the Believers

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[d] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2

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#349 Better Than

If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.

2 And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.

3 Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.

4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.

5 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.

6 And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

7 And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother.

8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her;

9 Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.

10 And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.

11 When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:

12 Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her.

13 Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small.

14 Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small.

15 But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

16 For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.

17 Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;

18 How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.

19 Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it. Deuteronomy 25 KJV

Let the punishment fit the crime and I say that looking at verse 2, where yes, justice should be found for the righteous, but the condemned are first made to lie down. In researching this, it is to protect the man's face and privates. The beating is also according to his fault and with a number of corresponding lashes. 40 was the maximum, lest ye kill the man and also that he not lose the image of God before you. Punishment is a just thing but we must be humane. There is a punishment that is tied to this life and that is death. Sometimes there is by nature the realization of wrong doing, immediately following the act, like stirring up a bee hive or sticking your hand in the fire. We should never be in haste, and empathy should be high but not cause one to leave from what is right. That reason to which I see a man beaten, I should repent of in myself for everything is founded in a sinful nature, an arrogance against an almighty and righteous God.

Do not muzzle the ox as he treads the grain, but let him eat the fruits of his labor. I can admit to having enough to get by on, fed in the morning and then again at night, but here it goes above the basic need to the kindness that beams from appreciation. The ox that treads, the horse whose back carries me along, or the duck upon my plate. I appreciate them, and I am thankful to God for these things that work for me and nourish me, so I pay respect by not being cruel and show love by rewarding him in his work. 

This message from Moses continues with the law unto widows which stems from a tradition of that time in that part of the world. This can be seen in Genesis with Judah and God's displeasure with his son who was to raise up seed with Tamar the widow of his brother. Marriage bought this woman out from the care of her family to a new place and new family; this tradition provided to their care, that they be not tossed away, forgotten and alone. It allowed her a family of her own and the continuance of her husband's name, which would be more to her than his brother, for she would have children to see her through old age and to inherit her husband's portion. If the brother of the man would not do this for her, then under this law he was publically disgraced, refusing to help his brother's house, to care for his widow. Judah did not honor this law and treated it lightly, but what good are laws that no one abides to or his held to justice against? Under Moses law, it allows the brother to refuse, but it is disgraceful, yet better for the widow maybe than a husband so set against such arrangement. 

The next part appears to be about a wife that helps her husband in a struggle against another man, but this apparently does not excuse an instance involving his privates. Some old writers talk of the necessity of modesty, and others a virtue that is to be upheld even in a situation that would seem to excuse the lack, the indiscretion or even intent. Apparently the damage was in excess of the situation between the two men, and some old writings understand the hand to be the equivalent for the loss of the genitalia in such a struggle. I am not certain in this but often we will defend the one that is a part of us or family, or friend which does not always look to what or who is actually right or wrong in the matter. While I pity her the hand, it does say not to, so it is difficult to fully understand what is taking place here.

Greed, the sin of every age and common to all people, skimming off a bit more and justifying it in your mind. So many laws are in place because of this. There are gas stations that have been in trouble for pumping less than what is displayed and of course paid for. There have been great deals by the pound, but the scales were not true. All lies and disgusting, for what you do to your fellow man, made in the image of God, is against God. Be honest in your dealings and seek the best for your fellow man, find the true reward.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother[c] will be liable to judgment; whoever insults[d] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell[e] of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.[f]

Lust

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Divorce

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. Matthew 5: 21-37 ESV

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#348 One

When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.

3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;

4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the Lord: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

5 When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.

6 No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh a man's life to pledge.

7 If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.

8 Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so ye shall observe to do.

9 Remember what the Lord thy God did unto Miriam by the way, after that ye were come forth out of Egypt.

10 When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge.

11 Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee.

12 And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:

13 In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the Lord thy God.

14 Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:

15 At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee.

16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

17 Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge:

18 But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

19 When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.

20 When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.

21 When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.

22 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing. Deuteronomy 24 KJV

The reason here for divorce must be something less than adultery for that bore a death sentence under the law. It could have been for the unrelenting accusation of such but unproven, or for some other thing that the husband felt so strongly about that he "hated" her. Christ says that Moses gave them divorce because of the hardness of their hearts. This protected the unforgiven and the abused, and when we see mentioned "hardness" it is obviously not original intent, and it is with sadness that we look down on someone so. It gets better, because we want God to show us mercy, to love us in our uncleanness, but we can't do this for the person that we supposedly became one with, our other half. It is ever given as the example of our relationship to Christ, and it is our oneness with Him that allows us to be reconciled to God. Since it is only by grace that we even still breathe or contemplate these things; it is by grace that we are still able to be offended by someone else, could we find it in our hearts to repent of unforgiveness? As you read scripture you will see there was a cultural concept of marriage, and in the cultures of that time it was a significant contract, but the Bible elevates it further in the concept of one flesh. This also makes normal trading or contractual dissolution more difficult, and as one writer suggests of the spiritual concept it is more like amputation than simple annulment. There was no hopping around from one husband to another and back again either; this made it unlike property. 

In verse 6 we find it unreasonable to keep as pledge what a man needs to make his living. Greed is greatly disfavored, and it is important that the carpenter have his tools, the mill it's stones and that a man can provide for himself and his family.


Kidnapping was punishable by death. Joseph's brothers were guilty of such in Genesis, and it is how he found his way to Egypt, where he kept those same hateful siblings alive to the saving of Israel.


In verse 10 there is dignity given even to him that owes, his debt does not give you the right to enter his house. It is also such a soft and beautiful thing that he that only had a cloak to pledge would have the same returned to him at night, so he would not be cold.


You should never mistreat an employee, and while his pay may not seem so significant to you or needing any sense of urgency on your part, those that have less need it on time. Don't keep him waiting for his pay, respect the man as God.


Justice must be true and each man shall pay for his own sins, one may not offer up a child in their place, nor should a man seek retribution of the relative of the offender. Remember where you came from and be kind to the stranger the fatherless and widows. Allow them the dignity to eat by the work of their hands, harvesting from the field and the vine. Today we take away the dignity of work, it's reality in a caloric world, we pay people instead to vote, and most of us are happy to call welfare the role of the state, keeping us far away and separated from the needs of our fellow man. Work has to happen to eat, and so if you are above work then you are saying that you are above the one that works so you can eat. It is the foolishness of politics rather than the science and wisdom of nature.





The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. Matthew 19: 3-12

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#347 Shattered

He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord.

2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the Lord.

3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever:

4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

5 Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee.

6 Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.

7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.

8 The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the Lord in their third generation.

9 When the host goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing.

10 If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp:

11 But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.

12 Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:

13 And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:

14 For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

15 Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:

16 He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him.

17 There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

18 Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

19 Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:

20 Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

22 But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

23 That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

24 When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.

25 When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn. Deuteronomy 23 KJV

It was apparently a common practice of some cultures to geld certain slaves. Men are not animals, but behave often worse than such, and this maybe likened to male lions killing off the young of another male, or the fear of cheating. There are still cultures today where women are abused in these practices, and self mutilation occurs in several cultures. As to the command that they and bastards not enter into the congregation of the Lord, I have read commentary that is all over the place. First, other than self mutilation, which to remove the stones or the penis would be an outward sign, but not that of the circumcision of the congregation, the others could very well not be your fault. One could be, though rarely, born this way, or more often forced to this by a conquering ruler. Four of the greatest men of the Bible, men who did not waver, were the eunuchs Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, along with Daniel. They had the outward scars applied to them by the culture, but inwardly they were steadfast, God fearing men. The first 3 refused to bow to the idols of Babylon all the way to the fiery furnace, and the last was a great prophet from whom the wise men of the east probably learned the prophecies of a coming King. He would be thrown into the Lion's den, not for refusing to be a good employee, for he was the favored, but he would not stop praying to the One True God. I admit this is a difficult passage, but my opinion is that these men were kept from position here in the congregation, but could be faithful followers of the One true God, respected members of their society. I think that the severity points to the disgust in both practices, that in the removal of one's reproductive organs and  the other in the irresponsible use of said organs, the need that even science recognizes in that of parents. There are those eunuchs by choice which Paul discusses, but this is not a command or physical sign, rather a spiritual gift, freeing one up to serve but not making one holy. It is a misunderstood condition in the catholic church and applied to positions of extra biblical invention. Sadly, the role of priest in Roman Catholicism is one attributed to "eunuchs" that have left many bastards in their wake. The remedy for this is the same as it was for those in the book of Daniel, refuse to bow to idols, pray to God and hold His word above religion, above Popes, priests and cardinals, that is reformation.

The reason for the restriction against the children of Lot is here stated that they did not greet them as family, but later hired a prophet (Balaam) to come against them.

It is said by God, "Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated", but here he extends to his children grace and to the Egyptians as well, remembering that Israel was a stranger there. One might wonder at this kindness considering that Israel was also treated with prejudice and disdain, the subjects of tyranny for much of their time in Egypt. I think that election here stands for it was not so many passages ago that they came to understand that those being pushed out of the land before them was due to their sin, and yet Israel received not according to their goodness, but solely on the promise and good will of the Creator.

Many cultures, including the one I live in, give much leeway in one way or another to those who are their soldiers, the defenders of their liberty. Here it is held that they must not neglect their spiritual duties as soldiers, and they must conduct themselves in cleanliness so as not cause the sickness of others. They bury their feces, and it is still what comes out of them that defiles them. They must have an aim to holiness that God be with them. War is not the end of character, does not dissolve the demands of holiness, but begs and even stronger resolution, without excuses.

We are to protect those that are understood to be oppressed or are we without empathy, unable to meet our brother with bread. Israel just left such abuses, would it be right then for them to be the abuser or send someone back to that situation. What business do those being called God's people have in doing what God punishes others for?

Prostitution is called an abomination and both that of whores (females) and dogs (males) is discussed. It is rightly so, because it reduces the image of God and the afore mentioned responsibility of reproduction. Those that elevate the act and their lust always pretend at being enlightened for such, rather than owning that we have all inherited depravity from the fall. The value of those objectified is reduced to their body parts and sexual appeal. I think it is a worthless scale because you are worth so much more than the things that it can measure. The pimp also here cannot with clean hands give the money that is made in this manner as an offering, it is unacceptable. God does not honor the ill use of His creatures. It is sad on both accounts, that one, we do not take under our wing, the widow, the orphan, yet look upon them in disgust when they go to those that would pay them for the use of their bodies. And it is sad that in our fallen natures we would so quickly resort to such.

The rest covers kindness to family and the removal of interest, for I think it makes sense that those who are part of us we should seek to elevate all the more. I should not try to earn extra upon my brother's back, and as a Christian, who is my brother? An interesting chapter.

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among[h] themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:36-50

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#346 What God Does

Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.

2 And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.

3 In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.

4 Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.

5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

6 If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:

7 But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.

8 When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.

9 Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled.

10 Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.

11 Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together.

12 Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.

13 If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her,

14 And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:

15 Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate:

16 And the damsel's father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;

17 And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.

18 And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;

19 And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

20 But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel:

21 Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.

23 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;

24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.

25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die.

26 But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:

27 For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.

28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;

29 Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

30 A man shall not take his father's wife, nor discover his father's skirt. Deuteronomy 22 KJV

The first part is rather neighborly, and it removes the "it's his own fault or not my problem", your brother's issue is to be your own and I think that goes for so much. It is often as hypocrites we judge without any intent to help, but if we only understood that this is my brother and his struggle, while it may look different than my own, is still a result of the same. It is the golden rule, but even that is more if we were humble enough to acknowledge. I cannot, by order of God, hide myself from the issue, but rather hold that which is lost to him, for him, until he returns. The next part goes into that of men trying to be women and women trying to be men alike. It is a departure from, not only God's original creative intent, but from the visible, logical form. I remember reading the story of the Emperor's New Clothes when I was a kid, but now I live in that very age, where people think it enlightened to be politically correct at the expense of the truth and reason. I listen to them speak and can tell that they also believe that they are in some way more enlightened for pretending, but also there is with it this insistence that the truth is a rather malleable thing and those repeating what God says are not helpful or caring. First of all, just like my brother losing his donkey or his ox, I cannot hide from the issue, but here I must not only for my sake, but for his as well, hold on to that which is true. If I say I believe in God and that the Bible is His word, then there is nothing kinder that I can do for my brother than to tell him what God says. Even if he is lost, does not believe the same, I can respect that he is lost and as one who was lost, who needed Christ, who heard the gospel than responded, I should tell him the truth humbly. So what if I have no desire to wear women's clothes, I was still born under original sin, and while it may look one way with brother or my friend, has society, culture, family or my friends done me any grand favors by lessening what God says? Just say what God says, the gospel is amazing and when it takes hold in a person, it changes the way he sees himself and so many things that he now accepts.

Verse 6 takes us back to intent, when Adam and Eve were given dominion, this is a call to conservation. It is not fair to take the mother as she sits upon her eggs, for she becomes a sitting target, and to let her go is a mark towards sustainability. The health and density of animal populations is a good measure of our own health and ability as caretakers. The clean water, air and space that animals need to thrive is also a necessity of human beings as well. I am a fisherman, so if I like to fish then I need not pollute the water or support businesses that do. Above that I am a Christian, and so recognize that the earth does not belong to me to abuse, but to respect with gratitude. I hear people say that it doesn't matter because heaven and earth will pass away, but like Paul says, "do we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid." If we truly see ourselves as sinners, and God as holy,  if we truly come to Him in Christ for forgiveness for the things that God is so infinitely opposed to, then it seems that in truth we would also repent from so many destructive behaviors.

Verse 8 could be OSHA's verse, recognize the danger and build in such a way as to prevent the fall. You should care for your own life because it technically belongs to God, Who made it. The life of your friend, employee or any other life should not be taken for granted, but this is not an open invitation, a lottery for ambulance chasers either. Ask for eyes that can see here, how precious are those made in His image, disguised to us by our egos.

Verses 13-19 deals with a man who falsely accuses his new wife of not being a virgin. This is a dishonor to her person, and an accusation against her family, saying that they had been involved in deception. I looked up the meaning of chastise and he was basically beaten for this, but he also couldn't put her away after this.

If it were true though, and I was astonished to read this, but the girl was stoned. This seemed rather harsh to me, but as a father of two girls, knowing this as part of that culture and being a Jew under the law of Moses, I was warned and should have taught my children. It's not just the severity of the punishment but look where it takes place, the blood is brought back to the father's door step. The deception of the other family in the most sacred of unions and sensitive of contracts, comes back to the father. We can't really pretend at something that we are not, it may work with some people for a time, but God sees us for who we are. It does not matter how I describe my children, what matters is what is true. I hear so many people talk of their child who is involved in criminal activity, addicted to drugs, stealing from their neighbors, hurting other children, disrespecting authority and so on, as a "good child", she has such a "big heart" and would do anything for anyone. Whether you read this chapter and find the punishment too severe like I did or think your child an angel because she likes puppies, rainbows and unicorns, or you say that the God that you believe in wouldn't damn anyone or punish sin, I would suggest that it's not your or my opinion that matters, but what God actually says.

The rest of this chapter deals with adultery and rape. As can be seen above it is important not to hide or lie about such a matter, but cry out for help. Marriage is used often to reflect the relationship between Christ and His church, that a man leaves father and mother to become one with his wife, it is a new life, a new family and the most sacred cornerstone of society. It is the union from which springs forth the next generation and the first part of their rearing and education. Children are given to their parents to bring up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The punishment under the Mosaic law for the interference here was death of the adulterers, but if a betrothed woman was raped then only the rapist died. Men and women in a fallen world, under corrupt lawgivers have suggested rape as good justification for the murder of our young. Punish the rapist not the woman and not the infant. Life belongs to God.

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

⁵ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
⁶ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
⁷ Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
⁸ Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
⁹ Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
¹⁰ We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
¹¹ For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
¹² Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
¹³ Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
¹⁴ For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
¹⁵ By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
¹⁶ But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13: 4-16

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