Leviticus 20 begins with the heading, Punishments for Disobedience...
and we read a listing of things God does not want the people to do. Beginning with sacrificing children to the god of Molech... and continuing into all sorts of detailed sexual sin. And then God says... You must keep all my decrees and regulations by putting them into practice; otherwise the land to which I am bringing you as your new home will vomit you out. Do not live according to the customs of the people I am driving out before you. It is because they do these shameful things that I detest them. But I have promised you, ‘You will possess their land because I will give it to you as your possession... a land flowing with milk and honey.’ I am the Lord your God, who has set you apart from all other people. Leviticus 20:22-24 (NLT) We read of some really wild and yet specific sins that God asks His people not to commit... and then He tells the Israelites that the land into which they are heading is full of people who already do these things. And that is why they are being "vomited" from their land. And God says that He detests those people. Pretty strong language! And much of the punishment, for many of these sins... is death. So, I'm thinking that God is serious here. But I've read ahead before... and I hate to spoil it for you... but not everyone is going to be a good listener. Or maybe a good rememberer. But our God is certainly faithful to warns us. He is very open and straight forward about His expectations. He is truthful about the consequences. So let us not say that we weren't warned. For our God is one of black and white... there is no gray where His laws are concerned. And while some will turn and say that this makes Him out to be a harsh and a mean God. I would argue that it actually shows a very loving Father who is protecting His children from bad consequences. Just as we consider ourselves good parents when we tell our kids not to run out into the street, or touch a hot stove. We are protecting them from harm. Word of God... train me, today... to listen and obey, to know that the all laws of God are for my good. Lord, I thank You for truth. That You are a Father who loves and protects us. And that You are a just and righteous God who is faithful to His word... and yet still merciful, forgiving and gracious.
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January 2019
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