Deuteronomy
chapter 23 contains some commands that are not often quoted. The
chapter begins, “No
one that has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the
assembly of the Lord“.
Most likely this refers to a leadership position. Just as the
priests could “have no defect” in Leviticus chapter 21, God
demands those that represent Him before the people to be without
defect. The exclusions continue, “No
one born of forbidden marriage… no Ammonite or Moabite or any of
his descendants may enter the assembly… even down to the tenth
generation. For they did not come out to meet you with bread and
water when you came out of Egypt“.
Wow, what another powerful reminder that all of us fall into one of
two categories; we are either with God, or we are at war with Him.
There is no in between! Romans 8:8 says our mind without God’s
Holy Spirit, “is
hostile toward God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do
so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God“.
How many ‘good’ people want to do the right thing, but remain
frustrated with the decision they make.
So
often people say that God is only concerned with certain areas of
their life. They want to exclude their workplace, or their personal
life. But as we will see, God is concerned with every part of our
lives. The chapter continues, “When
you encamp against your enemy, keep away from everything impure“.
Perhaps this applies to our work life? Next we read, “Designate
a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself… have
something to dig with… dig a hole and cover your excrement“.
If God is even concerned with your bathroom business, do you think
He does not care what you read, or watch or listen to, or who you
date? When we ask Jesus to be our Savior, we must also allow Him to
be Lord of our whole life! Finally we read,
“Do
not charge your brother interest… you may charge a foreigner
interest, but not your brother Israelite so that God may bless you in
everything you put your hand to“.
Yes, God is even interested in your finances. What part of your
life are you holding back from God?
The
chapter ends with a warning and a freedom. “If
you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for
the Lord will certainly demand it of you… whatever your lips utter,
you must surely do“.
In Matthew 5:37, Jesus tells His followers, “Simply
let your ‘yes’ be yes, and your ‘no’ be no“.
One of the visible “fruits” of a follower of Christ should be
integrity. People are looking for hypocrisy in your life to
discredit your testimony of God’s faithfulness. And lastly we
read, “If
you enter your neighbors’ vineyard, you may eat all the grapes you
want, but do not put any in your basket“.
Giving to the poor and those in need is expected, but harvesting in
another man’s field is stealing. Perhaps we act that way toward
the blessings of God. God’s abundance is unending; yet we must
always remember our access to God is only through Jesus Christ. “In
Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and
confidence”
(Ephesians 3:12). Halleluiah!