Bible Chapter: Deuteronomy 23 & 24

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Give refuge to those who need it. Do not oppress people.  Care about people’s needs.  We see God’s care and compassion for those in need.  This is expressed in strict rules for how to treat poor people.  If someone made a loan they were not to take something as security that would prohibit the poor person from making a living (for example millstones a person used to earn a wage).  If a person worked for another they were to be paid right away, for they needed the money to live.  When farmers harvested their crops, they were to leave some for poor people to glean.  God cares about the alien, the fatherless and the widow.
    Again we see the principle of purging sin from the camp.  I have to ask why God repeated this command over and over.  The answer that comes to me is that temptation to sin is common and people so quickly yield to it.  God showed that He wouldn’t put up with sinful filth among His people.  He wants all who follow Him to be pure.  People need constant reminders of this truth.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Don’t take advantage of people.  This truth is emphasized in 24:15 15 Each day you shall give him his wages, and not let the sun go down on it, for he is poor and has set his heart on it; lest he cry out against you to the LORD, and it be sin to you.  If someone tries to take advantage of one in need God will defend that one and charge the other with sin.  Care about people.  Don’t deprive them of justice.  This is especially for widows and orphans.
    God cares about people because we are His highest creation.  The Bible clearly says that we were made in God’s image.  We were created for a special relationship with Him.  Every life is valuable.  God will bless as we honor and respect the value of human life.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Somewhere in my ramblings through life I heard the statement: find the need, and then heal it.  That is a good principle to follow.  While we can’t meet every need, we can do many things to help out. Solutions don’t all require money.