"Under the Law" February 13 Readings: Deuteronomy 14-17

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Today's Reading - Deuteronomy 14-17


Background

The expansion of the laws of Israel continues in these chapters - with a wide variety of topics, all of which we have seen previously. Idolatry. Cleanliness. Feasts. Tithes. Cancelling debts.

Devotional - Under the Law


"We are not under the law but under grace."

I am thankful for that every day - and if I am not, I should be. We understand that our relationship with God is a product of the work of Christ, not our merit or good works. He paid it all.

But too often we come to believe that the law is somehow evil, shameful, or oppressive. Yes, there were parts of the law that were difficult - what you could eat and couldn't, the intricate sacrificial system. But the law was not oppressive. It was designed to help God's people.

There were three primary purposes of the law.

The greatest command is to love God with all your heart. Much of the law is designed to help us do that - to avoid idolatry, to take time for worship, to put him first. We are a people holy to God and we must honor him in all we do.

We are also to love others as we already love ourselves. The laws are designed to show us how to love one another and to be kind. Laws prohibit abuse and oppression. They demand that debts eventually be canceled. People must take responsibility for their actions and pay for the damage they cause. Be kind and live justly.

Finally, the law shows sinful man how to deal with the sin that separates us from him. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. The sacrifices were temporary means of atonement until the final atonement of Christ paid the full price.

Yes, many of the laws seem strange to us, but they were generally designed to honor God, encourage just treatment of others, and provide a path of atonement for sin.

Thankfully, in the age of grace, these things are done in different ways, but the purposes of God are still the same. He atoned for our sins by the Blood of the Lamb, calls us to love him with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Father, I thank you for your law which shows me so clearly what Jesus Christ was sent to do for me. 

Think and Pray


Do you love God? With all your heart?
Do you treat others with kindness and justice?
Thank God for the atonement he has given for your sins.

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