A HOLY PEOPLE
Suggested Reading: Exodus 22
(click scripture link to read online)
I took this photo as the sun was setting. We are looking east from Israel across the Jordan Rift Valley at the mountains of Moab in Jordan.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Exodus 22:31a
You are to be My holy people. (New International Version)
Here in chapter 22 are practical rules for the purpose of maintaining a well-run, harmonious society. For example, in verse three is the phrase “he shall be sold.” This was not slavery as in 150 years ago, but a method of repayment by labour in lieu of wages, perhaps for five years, where the families would be cared for. In studying judicial history, it is interesting to note the wide acceptance of God’s civil laws. Many, if not most, of our laws are based on these laws. The controversy over the Ten Commandments in the courtroom is foolish. They are not some religious statement but rather recognizing the foundation of all law, applicable to the atheist as well as the believer in God. The ultimate purpose of these laws was that the people would be a “holy people.” Please take the time to look up and meditate on 1 Peter 2:9-10. This is a definition of “Holy.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You are Holy. I sing the old hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy” unto You. Please work in me Your sanctifying power so that I will be able to live a holy life. I pray this through Jesus Christ Who always, at all times and places, lived a life of holiness. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As a child living in Ottawa, Canada, I was impressed every Sunday by the scroll painted on the wall just behind the Minister as he preached God’s Word. It said, “Holiness unto the Lord.” I learned the word “restitution” (Ex 22:5) early in life. I may have been 6 or 7 years old. I came home from a nearby sand pit with a spoon. Mother said, “David, that spoon does not belong to you. You must go around to the neighbors and find the owner, returning it with an apology to the owner.” With a sense of shame I did that. Mother would not tolerate anything even close to stealing. It happened again when I was 9. Tempted by other boys, I stole an apple from in front of Kincaid’s grocery store. I ate it, but I could never fool Mother. She finally got a confession out of me, and I was required to take 5 cents of my own money and give it to Mr. Kincaid with an apology. So that’s the story of my life of crime. The extreme embarrassment was worse than a spanking by far. Come to think of it, Mother did not spank me either time.
Yours for holy living,
David
REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”
We love the Lord for who He is. We love Him for what He has created in and through our lives and through the lives of His children. He has done great and mighty deeds through the ages and He alone is worthy to be praised and glorified. May we as believers never forget that He alone is our God and we are His people. For this, we are compelled to live lives worthy of being His children; lives of holiness and purity. May God uphold us in His love and security as we journey forth.
Perfect
I too believe your mother handled both matters well, David! You made ammends and balance was restored. In todays reading, some of the punishments were extreme, and are certainly outdated in Canada today, (such as, “you shall not permit a sorceress to live”) but all were balanced with restitution. I applaud the volunteer work youth are required to do for some offences, rather than locking them in cells.
Thank you Jesus…. its all because of You…as you increase…we…decrease
Im so Grateful….for today…… the Gift it is as we Journey……Blessings David
Hello David
I am a New Zealander who has been researching the New Zealand involvement in Palestine during 1917-1918 which finally drove the Ottoman Turks out of the Holy Land and set the stage for the Restoration of Israel after the British Mandate in 1948. After General Sir Edmund Allenby liberated Jerusalem in December, 1917 he assigned the New Zealand Anzac (plus the Jewish Legion and some Indian troops) to the unenviable task of prosecuting the war East of the Jordan against Aman and Es Salt – up into the Mountains of Moab. Unbearable heat in Summer and freezing conditions in Winter made life intolerable for the troops but they endured and finally drove North up the Jordan valley in September 1918 to capture the last remaining elements of the Turkish 4th Army. I saw your magnificent photo of the Mountains of Moab and would like your permission to use it in a Power Point presentation to convey some idea of the courage that these men displayed in fulfilling their duty under the NZ Major-General Sir Edmund Chaytor. I am sure the British generals did not fancy tackling that challenge for themselves. Blessings!
Thank you for your comment and request. Our 100words,ca Photographer has been contacted and will get back to you about the photo.