Sunday, November 22, 2020

The Law Humbles

Deuteronomy 17:1-20

It is a detestable thing to sacrifice to the Lord oxen and sheep with defects. Judgments must come after a thorough investigation. No man or woman is to be put to death if he or she is accused by a single person, but their must be at least two witnesses and three witnesses are better.  However, the sons of Israel were not to put up with a man or woman among them, who worships other gods ,and or the created things in the universe. The town judges shall hear most cases, but the Levitical priest, or the judge whom the Lord has risen up will hear the difficult cases; the sons of Israel are to observe their decisions. When the sons of Israel desire a human king, he must not be a foreigner, but one of their own countrymen, a man whom the Lord choses among them. This king shall not serve himself and multiply his riches! This law, this sermon called Deuteronomy, is to be copied by the king, he shall have it with him, and read it all the days of his life. This will cause him to fear the Lord his God, and by observing the law, his heart will not be lifted up above his countrymen. If he and his sons continue on the straight path of the Lord’s commandments, he and his sons will continue long in the kingdom.

In the beginning, God created all things (Gn 1:1-2:3) Both male and female human beings are created in the image of God; therefore, we are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. (Mt 5:48) But we are not perfect; we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom 3:23) The apostle Paul wrote, (Romans 3:19-20 (NASB))
Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
The law is like a mirror that we look into to see how clean we really are. We might go on thinking that we are clean until we see our dirty face in the mirror. It is difficult to see ourselves in the mirror of God’s law because we see ourselves like one who is unclean, all of our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment, our pride becomes like a leaf that withers and is blown away by the wind. (Is 64:6) I do not believe it possible to truly look into God’s perfect law and attempt to perfectly observe his law and be puffed up. The most humble are those who are following the commands of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Do not be angry with your brother.” Jesus said, “Do not look at a woman to lust for her.” Jesus said, “Do not give oaths, but say ‘Yes or No’; anything beyond these is of evil.” Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” (Mt 5:21-48) It will humble you to the core of your being!