Tag: Lord

43.s. “Wilderness” – 7.z. “You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest”

 

Exodus 22:29  “You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.

Deuteronomy 26:10    And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O LORD, have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the LORD your God and worship before the LORD your God.

 2 Chronicles 31:5  As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything.

 Proverbs 3:9-10   Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;  then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

 Matthew 6:33    But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Thou shalt not delay beyond the times appointed, lest this delay grow to a total neglect. (Poole)

Setting our giving ahead of our spending is God-honoring. The problem is that giving is often based on what is left over rather than at the beginning. This is a good indication of where the importance of honoring and glorifying God has been placed in our hearts and minds. God loves a cheerful giver and one that gives out of a heart-filled desire to honor and glorify Him. It is not out of our abundance we are to give. It is the first of whatever we have. There is so much that could be said about our culture that places things of God second, third, or fourth in our daily lives. Giving is a good indication of where God is placed in our hearts. Choosing to honor and glorify God with the first of our fruits or our labor will impact our hearts. It places all things we have in light of the Giver of all things. Setting aside our first fruits with an intentional choice to give them in honor and glory of God is good for our souls. If you want more treasures in your heart for God when you die, give more while you live.

43.p. “Wilderness” – 7.w. Sojourner, widow, and Orphan

 

Exodus 22:21  “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.  If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry,  and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

 Leviticus 19:33    “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.

 Deuteronomy 10:19   Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

 Jeremiah 22:3   Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

 Malachi 3:5   “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.

 Deuteronomy 10:18     He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.

 Isaiah 1:17   learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

 Zechariah 7:10   do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”

 James 1:27     Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Governments have the right and responsibility to control borders and immigration; yet there is no doubt of the individual’s responsibility to neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him.  It is fair to examine how accommodating we are to the strangers among us. The widow and fatherless child were the weakest and most vulnerable members of society. In an unrestrained, survival-of-the-fittest society, they would be the first to suffer abuse and destruction. (Guzik)

The laws against oppression with three crimes of the deepest dye seems intended to indicate that oppression is among the sins which are most hateful in God’s sight. The lawgiver, however, does not say that it is to be punished capitally, nor, indeed, does he affix to it any legal penalty. Instead of so doing, he declares that God Himself will punish it “with the sword”. (Ellicott)

Ye shall not afflict the widow, or fatherless child — That is, ye shall comfort and assist them, and be ready upon all occasions to show them kindness. In making just demands from them, their condition must be considered who have lost those that should protect them; and no advantage must be taken against them, nor any hardship put upon them, which a husband or a father would have sheltered them from. (Benson)

It is good for us to take heed of these words from God. All we have has been given to us by God. Oh, that our hearts and minds would be sensitive to the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit leading us to show God’s grace, mercy, and love.

43.o. “Wilderness” – 7.v. Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the Lord alone

 

Exodus 22:20  “Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction.

 Numbers 25:2-4   These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.  So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.  And the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them in the sun before the LORD, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.”

 Deuteronomy 13:1-15    “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder,  and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’  you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.  You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.  But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the LORD your God

 Deuteronomy 17:2-5   “If there is found among you, within any of your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, a man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, in transgressing his covenant,  and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have forbidden,  and it is told you and you hear of it, then you shall inquire diligently, and if it is true and certain that such an abomination has been done in Israel,  then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you shall stone that man or woman to death with stones.

 Deuteronomy 18:20   But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’

 Joshua 23:15-16   But just as all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the LORD your God has given you,  if you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land that he has given to you.”

Unto the Lord only; the true and living God; Jehovah, the self-existent, immutable, and eternal Being; the Creator of all things, the possessor of heaven and earth, the most high God, and the only one: sacrificing takes in all the acts of service performed to an idol as to the true God, as offering incense, pouring out a libation, as well as slaying and burning an animal as Jarchi observes: he shall be utterly destroyed; be accursed, anathematized, devoted to destruction, as the word used signifies. (Gill)

Man is wired to seek and worship the Creator. Denying and rejecting God, this inward yearning will turn to almost anything as a substitute and will become their act of worship and sacrifice. Look at the world around us. It is full of the lost who need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and acts of love, grace, mercy, kindness, gentleness, and generosity of the redeemed. Let it be our goal, commitment, and intentional choice to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we think, say, and do.

43.k. “Wilderness” – 7.r. Sinai – Judgments

 

Exodus 21:1  “Now these are the rules that you shall set before them.

 – When you buy a Hebrew slave

 – If he comes in single

 – If his master gives him a wife

 – But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master

 – “When a man sells his daughter as a slave

 –  If she does not please her master

 –  If he designates her for his son

 –  If he takes another wife to himself

 – And if he does not do these three things

 – “Whoever strikes a man

 – If he did not lie in wait for him

 –  But if a man willfully attacks another

 – “Whoever strikes his father or his mother

 – “Whoever steals a man and sells him

 – “Whoever curses his father or his mother

 –  “When men quarrel and one strikes the other

 – “When a man strikes his slave

 – “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman

 – “When a man strikes the eye of his slave

 – “When an ox gores a man or a woman

 – “When an ox gores a man or a woman

 – If it gores a man’s son or daughter

 –  If the ox gores a slave, male or female

 Leviticus 18:5   You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.

 Leviticus 18:26   But you shall keep my statutes and my rules and do none of these abominations, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you

 Leviticus 20:22  “You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my rules and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out.

 Deuteronomy 5:1    And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them, “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the rules that I speak in your hearing today, and you shall learn them and be careful to do them.

 Deuteronomy 5:31    But you, stand here by me, and I will tell you the whole commandment and the statutes and the rules that you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land that I am giving them to possess.’

 1 Kings 6:12    “Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father.

 Ezekiel 20:11    I gave them my statutes and made known to them my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live.

 Malachi 4:4    “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him

When you read these dos and don’ts it is easy to say, (in error),  to yourself; “I will do these and be made worthy of God’s love”. Like the rich young ruler who asked Jesus what must I do to inherit eternal life and stated that he had faithfully followed all of the commandments, Jesus told him to sell everything and give it away to the poor. This young rich ruler went away sad as he had much. 

It is easy to get caught up in “doing” for the sake of thinking that this is making oneself pure and right in the eyes of God. It is easy to do the right things for the wrong reasons. It all comes down to understanding what our single purpose in life is; To Honor and Glorify Jesus Christ in all we think, say, and do. If we choose and purpose to seek and do right for the Honor and Glory of Jesus Christ then there are no burdens of following God’s rules, statutes, and commands. We may fail at times but know with certainty that if we confess and repent of these failings He is faithful and just to forgive us. 

When we choose to Honor and Glorify Jesus Christ in all we think, say, and do, we will not fall into the trap of doing it for our worthiness before God.

43.j. “Wilderness” – 7.q. Sinai – “An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it”

 

Exodus 20:24  An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you. If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it. And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.’

Deuteronomy 27:5-6   And there you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them;  you shall build an altar to the LORD your God of uncut stones. And you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God,

 Joshua 8:31    just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the people of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, “an altar of uncut stones, upon which no man has wielded an iron tool.” And they offered on it burnt offerings to the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings.

 Hebrews 12:28-29  Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire

 The distinction between burnt offerings and peace offerings was given later in greater detail. Yet the mere mention of them at the outset of the giving of the law indicates that man cannot keep the law and must have sacrifice to deal with this inability. This was in expectation that Israel would break the laws God gave them, and need to atone for their sin by sacrifice, all with a view to the ultimate sacrifice God would ultimately provide. This wonderful promise was made in the context of sacrifice and atonement. Even in the Law of Moses, God often made the connection between trust in atoning sacrifice and the presence and blessing of God. Though there was blessing in keeping the law, we ultimately are only blessed by the law if we keep the entire law – therefore we seek and find blessing from God on the basis of His atoning sacrifice.

If an altar were made of stone, it was possible or even likely that attention would be drawn, and glory would be given to the stone carver. God, at His altar, wanted to share glory with no man – the beauty and attractiveness would be found only in the provision of God, not in any fleshly display. (Guzik)

An altar thou shalt make for thy present use, or whilst thou art in the wilderness: this he commanded, partly, that they might easily and readily erect an altar upon all occasions, which it might be hard for them to do there of better materials; partly, to mind them how much more God regarded the inward holiness than the outward pomp of their devotions; partly, because God would make a conspicuous difference between them and idolaters, who used much cost and curiosity about their altars; partly, that the altars might, after they left them, fall down and moulder away, and not remain as lasting monuments, which might be afterward abused to idolatry by any persons that came thither; partly, because they were uncertain of their stay any where, except at Sinai, and therefore must raise such altars as they could suddenly do. But this command only concerned their wilderness state; for there were better and more durable altars in the tabernacle and temple. (Poole)

The alter, sacrifice/offering, and blessing – The cross, Jesus Christ, eternal life

43.h. “Wilderness” – 7.o. Sinai – ‘You have seen for yourselves”

 

Exodus 20:22  And the LORD said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have talked with you from heaven.

 Deuteronomy 4:36   Out of heaven he let you hear his voice, that he might discipline you. And on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire.

 Nehemiah 9:13   You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments,

 Hebrews 12:25-26   See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.  At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”

“You have seen for yourselves that I have talked with you from heaven” – It was unmistakable and assured that the voice was of God when He spoke the 10 commandments to them. No one would deny it or say that it was untrue.  As Christians, we often long for hearing the voice of God tell us what to do. We seek and desire a clear and direct voice telling us how to move forward or how to stop. Somehow we think it would be much better for us to hear it rather than walking in and by faith. Sometimes God just seems to be silent in our desire to hear Him speak us forward or out of a situation. 

I am not saying God does not speak audibly because He has in the past. However, it would be a good refresher to know how God speaks to His creation.

“1. GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH SCRIPTURE

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

2. GOD SPEAKS THROUGH GIFTED TEACHERS WHOSE SOURCE IS THE BIBLE

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8).

3. GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH DIFFICULTIES

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees” (Psalm 119:67-68).

4. GOD SPEAKS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26).

5. GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS CREATION

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-2).

6. GOD SPEAKS THROUGH WHATEVER OR WHOMEVER HE CHOOSES, BUT NEVER IN DISAGREEMENT WITH THE BIBLE

“For God does speak — now one way, now another — though no one perceives it” (Job 33:14).

CAN ANYTHING KEEP US FROM HEARING GOD?

Wrong attitudes, resentment, or unconfessed sins can create distance in our relationship with God. When this happens, confession and repentance will bring us back into a close relationship where we can hear from God again.“

(thelife.com)

43.g. “Wilderness” – 7.n. Sinai – “Now when all the people saw”

Exodus 20:18  Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

 Psalms 139:7-8    Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

 Isaiah 41:10   fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 Deuteronomy 13:3   For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

 Deuteronomy 8:2   And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.

 Job 28:28     And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

 Proverbs 1:7    The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

 Proverbs 3:7   Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

 Joshua 24:14  “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.

 Deuteronomy 5:5    while I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD. For you were afraid because of the fire

 Psalms 97:2    Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

 1 Timothy 6:16   who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. 

Deuteronomy 5:23 explains why the mountain smoked; it says the mountain was burning with fire. The awe of all the phenomenon did nothing to draw the people closer to God; it only made them stand afar off. One might think that Israel loved the dramatic experience at Mount Sinai, and especially the honor of hearing God’s voice like a loudspeaker from heaven. Instead, because of the great awe and dread they felt, they wanted God to stop speaking to them directly. This is a typical reaction of those who came into the presence of God, such as Isaiah who felt undone before God (Isaiah 6:1-5) and John who fell as a dead man before the Lord (Revelation 1:17). The people promised to hear and (by implication) obey the word of God that came to them by Moses. In following generations, Israel interpreted the law downward, so it could be more easily obeyed, removing the heart and intent of the law. Jesus exposed this shallow understanding of the law in His Sermon on the Mount.

The people of Israel wanted to separate themselves from the manifest presence of God, but God meant it for good to test them. The test revealed to them what kind of God they served: a God above nature, personal, good, and holy. The test revealed to them their own weakness and need for God’s grace, help, and rescue. The test revealed to them what God’s expectations were, that God is a moral God who expects moral behavior from His people. That His fear may be before you speaks of the attitude of honor and reverence that leads to respect and obedience. Though it is better to obey God out of fear than to disobey Him, God’s ultimate motivation for obedience is love. This is clear from 1 John 4:18-19: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. Moses had a relationship with God the common man in Israel did not have. Through the circumstances of his life and the direct revelation of God, Moses was aware of both God’s holy power and also of God’s glorious grace. (Guzik)

This law, which is so extensive that we cannot measure it, so spiritual that we cannot evade it, and so reasonable that we cannot find fault with it, will be the rule of the future judgment of God, as it is for the present conduct of man. If tried by this rule, we shall find our lives have been passed in transgressions. And with this holy law and an awful judgment before us, who can despise the gospel of Christ? And the knowledge of the law shows our need of repentance. In every believer’s heart sin is dethroned and crucified, the law of God is written, and the image of God renewed. The Holy Spirit enables him to hate sin and flee from it, to love and keep this law in sincerity and truth; nor will he cease to repent. (Henry)

The Israelites drew near to the mountain. They were intrigued by what they saw and heard when the 10 commandments were given. Now in closeness to God and the power and might of presence, they heard and saw and felt the holy awesomeness of God and feared for their lives. 

What would our lives be like if we would have a reverent, trusting, and reliant fear of God? Would it be different than it is now? Would we fear, hate, anger, and be anxious less? Would we rejoice, praise, and worship more? Would we be content? Would greed, pride, and unkindness be not found in our lives? Would we run to the mountain of God or would we retreat to what we believe is a safe distance? Would we desire to be in the continual presence of God? Would we want to hear His voice with a desire to obey it for His honor and glory? Would things of this earth become less distracting and things of God become more encompassing? Would we know joy and peace that passes all understanding? Would we be more generous? Would we discern the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit leading us? Would the Word of God be precious to us? Would our thoughts, words, and actions be in line with honor and glory to Jesus Christ? Would we hunger and thirst for His Word and leading so that this honor and glory would be pure?  Would we??????

43.e. “Wilderness” – 7.l. Sinai – “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”

 

Exodus 20:16  “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

 Leviticus 19:16    You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD.

 Psalms 101:5-7    Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.  I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.  No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes

 Proverbs 10:18   The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.

 Proverbs 11:13   Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

 Ephesians 4:31    Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

 James 4:11    Do not speak evil against one another, brothers.

In an extended sense, we can break the ninth commandment through slander, tale bearing, creating false impressions, by silence, by questioning the motives behind someone’s actions, or even by flattery. The New Testament puts it simply. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds. Lying and false representations belong to the old man, not to the new life we have in Jesus. Satan is always there to encourage a lie, he is the father of all lies. (Guzik)

The ninth commandment concerns our own and our neighbour’s good name. This forbids speaking falsely on any matter, lying, equivocating, and any way devising or designing to deceive our neighbour. Speaking unjustly against our neighbour, to hurt his reputation. Bearing false witness against him, or in common conversation slandering, backbiting, and tale-bearing; making what is done amiss, worse than it is, and in any way endeavouring to raise our reputation upon the ruin of our neighbour’s. How much this command is every day broken among persons of all ranks! (Henry)

Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Neither publicly in a court of judicature, by laying things to his charge that are false, and swearing to them, to his hurt and damage; nor privately, by whispering, tale bearing, backbiting, slandering, by telling lies of him, traducing his character by innuendos, sly insinuations, and evil suggestions, whereby he may suffer in his character, credit, and reputation, and in his trade and business. (Gill)

We may think it is far from us to bear false witness against another, but surely our society looks favorably upon it. Look at social and news media outlets. A good journalist can easily destroy the life of any person with both their mouth and pen. Day after day you read it and hear it and even expect it. It almost becomes so natural that it seems right and ok to do. There is nothing subtle about it. Twisting words and actions of others to fit a narrative and opinion is common. It is still wrong. It is equally bad to tell a lie by calling it the truth or tell a truth and have it called a lie about a person. Both are false and designed to harm someone in character or financially or both. As Christians, we see it wrong and doubt this type of sander and falseness would come from our mouths. 

Repeating gossip is a form of false witness. How many divisions in our churches have evolved because of this type of behavior? Did you hear……..? I think we should pray for ……… I just heard.  Did you know that ……. cheats on his wife? Did you know that our pastor did……..? I heard that……. get’s drunk every night. And the list goes on and on. Soon the reputation and character of that person is destroyed. Unless we might get too comfortable and say we do not do this at church or with church members, can it be said about us that we don’t do it at our place of employment? Do we cause harm to our witness and to the honor and glory of Jesus Christ because we allow ourselves to be caught up in social norms?  

Will what I say honor and glorify Jesus Christ? Should I repeat what I have heard? Discernment is a gift from God. Oh, that we would seek all we read and hear through the filter of God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Don’t become blind to the ease at which our culture and society have approved bearing false witness in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts. Pray that God would lead you in proper discernment, speech, and deeds that Honor and Glorify Jesus Christ. 

When we intentionally choose and commit to honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ in all we think, say, and do our discernment and control of our thoughts, tongues, and actions will follow.

43.d. “Wilderness” – 7.k. Sinai – “You shall not steal.”

 

Exodus 20:15  “You shall not steal.

 Leviticus 19:13   “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning.

 Deuteronomy 24:7    “If a man is found stealing one of his brothers of the people of Israel, and if he treats him as a slave or sells him, then that thief shall die. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.

 Deuteronomy 25:15-16   A full and fair weight you shall have, a full and fair measure you shall have, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.  For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the LORD your God.

 Proverbs 11:1    A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.

 Micah 6:10-11    Can I forget any longer the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is accursed?  Shall I acquit the man with wicked scales and with a bag of deceitful weights?

 Matthew 15:19    For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

 1 Corinthians 6:10   nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

 Ephesians 4:28    Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

1Thessalonians 4:7-8  For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Malachi 3:8-9  Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me

This command is another important foundation for human society, establishing the right to personal property. God has clearly entrusted certain possessions to certain individuals, and other people or states are not permitted to take that property without due process of law. (Guzik)

This command forbids us to rob ourselves of what we have, by sinful spending, or of the use and comfort of it, by sinful sparing; and to rob others by invading our neighbour’s rights, taking his goods, or house, or field, forcibly or clandestinely, overreaching in bargains, not restoring what is borrowed or found, withholding just debts, rents, or wages; and, which is worst of all, to rob the public in the coin or revenue, or that which is dedicated to the service of religion. (Benson)

Thou shall not steal. Which is to take away another man’s property by force or fraud, without the knowledge, and against the will of the owner thereof. Thefts are of various kinds; there is private theft, picking of pockets, shoplifting, burglary, or breaking into houses in the night, and carrying off goods; public theft, or robbing upon the highways; domestic theft, as when wives take away their husbands’ money or goods. (Gill)

Hosea 4:1  Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land!

We never have the right to Steal, taking that which belongs to another and claiming it for ourselves either by theft,  fraud, or utilization of fine print in contracts, obscure laws, or any other means.  Stealing something from another person is wrong. There is no justification for it.  We might say it is due me, they owe me so I am going to steal something back from them, or we might even say they have said or done something to me so I am going to steal from them. There is no justification for it. The heart says I want it, I need it, I will take it or swindle it away from he that owns it. There are many areas in a person’s life where stealing can manifest itself. Easily enough is outright theft or defrauding. How about stealing time from your employer, or underpaying employees for their work, finding a purse or wallet without returning it, falsely claiming something is yours, underreporting taxes, overstating expense reports, etc…. Not only are there many ways the heart and mind can find ways to steal, equally there are many ways the heart and mind justify it. 

Let’s look at this from heaven. God is the Creator and author of each of us. Everything we have is ultimately His, especially our talents for they too are God-given, everything from brains to physical abilities. When we use these talents to honor and glorify God, this is true, right, and good for us to do.  When we use these and claim them as our own talents, boasting publicly or privately as though through our own efforts they are worth our boasting and pride, we rob God of His glory and honor and praise and worship for what He has given to us. This too is stealing and this does not even touch on the tithed giving unto God. 

We do well in our desire to honor and glorify God in all we think, say, and do, to ask for discernment in our hearts to recognize the seeds of whatever may allow us to justify taking that which is not ours. 

43.c. “Wilderness” – 7.j. Sinai – “You shall not commit adultery.”

 

Exodus 20:14  “You shall not commit adultery.

 Leviticus 18:20    And you shall not lie sexually with your neighbor’s wife and so make yourself unclean with her.

 Leviticus 20:10    “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

 Proverbs 7:18-27   Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love.  For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey;  he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home.”  With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him.  All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast  till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.  And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.  Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths,  for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng.  Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

 Jeremiah 5:8-9   They were well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for his neighbor’s wife.  Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD; and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?

 Malachi 3:5   “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.

 Matthew 5:27-28  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’  But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

 Ephesians 5:3  But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

 Hebrews 13:4  Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

 James 4:4   You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Clearly, the act itself is condemned. God allows no justification for the ways that many often seek to justify extra-marital sex. It is not to be done, and when it is done it is sin and it damages. The New Testament clearly condemns adultery: Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication uncleanness, licentiousness (Galatians 5:19). The act is condemned, but not only the act itself. More than the act itself, Jesus carefully explained the heart of this commandment. It prohibits us from looking at a woman to lust for her, where we commit adultery in our heart or mind, yet may not have the courage or opportunity to do the act (Matthew 5:27-30). We aren’t innocent just because we didn’t have the opportunity to sin the way we really want to. (GUZIK)

Next to the duty of respecting a man’s life is placed that of respecting his domestic peace and honour. Adultery is an invasion of the household, a destruction of the bond which unites the family, a dissolution of that contract which is the main basis of social order. It was forbidden by all civilised communities, and in uncivilised ones frequently punished with death. (Ellicott)

We should be as much afraid of that which defiles the body, as of that which destroys it. Whatever tends to pollute the imagination, or to raise the passions, falls under this law, as impure pictures, books, conversation, or any other like matters. (Henry)

Here is mentioned one kind of uncleanness, as being eminently sinful, and unjust, and pernicious to human society. But under this are comprehended and forbidden all other kinds of filthiness, as bestiality, sodomy, whoredom, fornication, &c., and all means, occasions, and appearances of them. (Poole)

Lust of the flesh will drive a person to sin, if not in body, surely in mind. Take a look at what is condoned in current movies, taught in schools, and easily popping up on social media. In the guise of putting a stamp of approval on movies, books, pictures, etc…. we call it “Adult Entertainment”.  We even go so far as to ok it by stating a rating on public movies, “PG-13”, meaning the movie is acceptable to those 13 and older.  Hollywood markets lust like it was a dessert to be desired and a very normal act that is to be satisfied. I heard someone say that they were training their mind not to lust by counting to 5 when they were looking/lusting after a beautiful girl/woman and then they would discard it from their mind. Have you ever held your hand in a flame for 5 seconds without getting burned severely? It is far better to discern and discard the thought before 1/2 of a second.

Pornography will harm the heart, mind, and soul. It seems as though it is “OK” because it is called “Soft Porn”. We hear men say they are just looking through the window as if to admire the goods but have no intention of a purchase. This too allows lust to take root and fantasies abound. 

We even tolerate the lust of same-sex. We don’t call it out as a sin but rather call it out as an “Alternative Lifestyle”. It is to be tolerated and approved and allowed to go on unchallenged. 

Fleshly lusts can be defeated when your heart and mind are fixed on God’s Word with an unyielding desire to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all you think, say, and do.