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Remember the Exodus!
Rod Shimabukuro35“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. 36Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. 37You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit. 38I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God. Leviticus 25
The Lord issues strict and stern commands involving siblings and how they should act or interact. In particular when a brother is less fortunate than the other. The big consideration is for the blessed to care for the needy. The bigger consideration is for the blessed to consider form whom ALL BLESSINGS FLOW. This context includes the reminder of God the Deliverer who brought HIs people out of Egypt. NO ONE would be alive, let alone blessed part from the Exodus Deliverance.
I like what the ESV Study Bible records about the theme of Leviticus: The book of Leviticus is a further and deeper unfolding of the divine-human relationship codified on Mount Sinai. On the one hand, it assumes that Israel is sinful and impure. On the other hand, it describes how to deal with sin and impurity so that the holy Lord can dwell in the people’s midst.
My application thought includes the ending of v. 38. He not only brought me out of ”my Egypt.“ He has brought me into a new life relationship with Him - to be my God! I not only receive forgiveness, deliverance - I experience relationship, face to face, life to life relationship with GOD! with GOD! Is my heart ”hearing this?“ I AM IN A VERY REAL AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO NOW WHAT? LIVE ITOUT ROD!
Having this kind of relationship - you would think I would be excellent at caring for the ”less fortunate/poor“ among us. To live out the command in Gal. 6:10 should be a piece of cake, having a real and personal relationship with GOD! Oh no...I feel my heart sinking into reality - the unfortunate reality that I don’t treat the poor, the unfortunate, even among the household of faith very well. What the ----- is wrong with me!!?? (sorry for the language - I am ---- off at my own self! - oops, sorry again!!)
Dear Jesus. Here I go repenting again! Are you tired of my flaky lifestyle? I wonder. I know You are so loving, kind, patient and forgiving. Your character is Perfect... and I see so much of my flaws in the mirror of Your Holy Word. Thank you for the mercy and grace you fill me with. For the confidence of knowing You and living for You. Thank You once again for Your gracious and firm conviction - and yet I feel so loved and not condemned one ounce! I Love You Jesus! Thank You for who You are!
