Read: Exodus 21:22-23:13; Matthew 24:1-28; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 7:6:23
Today we read the law of property and possessions. When our nation was founded, our lawmakers made the laws based on the Bible so you can see many of the things we do today look like these laws. We have added so many to these laws just like the scribes and Pharisees did. I wonder how much better we would be if we simplified to less laws and more concern for the innocent. Moses and his seventy judges were like the Supreme Court of today. They settled the matters based on these laws and decided all the cases that were not so cut and dried. They relied on the Lord’s wisdom and discernment.
The law talks about three different kinds of people: the thief, the neighbor and the victim. The thief is the devil and he has to repay us what he steals. The neighbor is our fellow man, and any person can be the victim. We have to take responsibility for our actions and the actions of the ones or animals that are ours.
In the Old Testament it was an eye for an eye. Jesus addressed this statement in Matthew 5:38-48 and told us not to retaliate but to give them love in return. We are to love our enemies, bless the people who curse us, do good to the ones that hate us and pray for the ones who use us and persecute us. This is the law of grace.
God has always been against injustice and prejudice. He told them not to follow the crowd or say what everyone wanted them to say their your testimony, but to speak the truth. He also told them not to side with the rich but to defend the poor. He was especially concerned about the widows and orphans. Whoever takes advantage of them and they cry out to the Lord, their abusers will be killed.
They were to care for the poor and treat them with respect, which is why they were not to work their fields all seven years. The seventh was to be a Sabbath year and the poor were free to eat the produce. In that year the fields would rest and replentish the nutrients in the ground.
In Matthew, Jesus had just predicted the destruction of the temple. The disciples asked Jesus when he was going to come back and take over. I don’t think they meant come back to earth as much as they though he was going to come back to town. They didn’t understand that he was going to die and be gone 2,000 years before he came back.
Jesus explained how it would be when he came back. The ones that didn’t go in the rapture would be left here. Many will become new believers but the days will be really hard. False prophets will arise that will try to explain what is happening and they will deceive many. Wickedness will increase and love will decrease but those who stand for truth will be saved. They will preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. The abomination will stand in the holy place and it will cause desolation. That is when the Christians will have to flee to the mountains and hide out. It will be such a traumatic time for God’s people that God will cut the time short.
Jesus warned the ones living then that the Antichrist and his followers will be able to do great signs and wonders to deceive, but they need to keep their eyes on Jesus who will be save them in the end.
Lord, may the simplicity of your Word be the laws that govern our lives and our world. Bring back truth to our nation and bless your people once again to do great things on the earth for your glory and your renown. May we walk in the greatest commandment: to love.
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