Deuteronomy 24-27 (By Rev. Deacon Margaret Friesen)

TEXT: Deuteronomy 24-27

OBSERVATION

• More social justice laws—Chapters 24 & 25 – family law, protection of the means of livelihood, don’t take advantage of poor and destitute labourers, don’t punish the parents for the children’s wrongdoing nor the children for the parents’ wrongdoing, practice true justice for widows and for foreigners, leave harvest gleanings for the poor to gather, take good care of your animals, and use fair weights and measures.
• Chapters 26-27—Tithes and offerings to be given at harvest time; remember how God has taken care of you and brought you out of slavery. Build an altar of remembrance and thanksgiving for the Law.

 
INTERPRETATION

• As pointed out by previous writers and speakers, God’s law given to the Hebrew people was a means of promoting fair and respectful relationships among the people; and promoting care of those who are poor or otherwise disadvantaged.
• In this way, Israel represented truthfully the character of God whom they served.
• God did not act with punishment and retribution; he strove always to forgive and to renew his covenant with his people

 
APPLICATION

• As shown and taught by God, we are to show love and respect with fair and equitable treatment to our neighbours as well as to any strangers that have contact with us. We are also to show love and respect and generosity to those who are poor and disadvantaged among us.
• Let’s clear up the resentments and irritations among us to seek and to offer forgiveness.

 
QUESTION

• How can you and I show love and respect for our friends and neighbours?
• Let’s start with our family and our church family—is there anyone we have been criticizing? Or are we resentful of anyone?
• Seek the Lord – Ps. 61 is our cry to God to hear our prayer and show His faithfulness and unfailing love

 
PRAYER
Oh Lord my God, listen to my cry. You have heard my confessions and my promises to follow you. Grant me the strength of heart to live up to my vows. Grant me your wonderful and marvelous grace.
 
Marvelous grace of our loving lord
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured
There where the blood of the lamb was spilt
 
Sin and despair like the sea waves cold
Threaten the soul with infinite loss
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold
Points to the refuge the mighty cross
 
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide
What can avail to wash it away
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide
Whiter than snow you may be today.
 
Marvelous, infinite matchless grace
Freely bestowed on all who believe
You that are longing to see His face
Will you this moment his grace receive?​