God's Laws Show Us God's Way of Thinking - Exodus 21-22 and Matthew 19
I am sure that many people get bored with reading all of the laws in the first five books of the Bible. They wonder why they need to read them all since they don't apply to us. The reason is really very simple. God does not change. His way of thinking through the ages has not changed. We can learn a lot about God's way of thinking by reading the Old Testament laws. We need that because we are often disoriented to God's way of thinking. The more we learn about God's way of thinking, the less likely we are to become disoriented to His ways.
As you read Exodus 21 and 22 think of all of the implications of these laws. Think of why God would make such laws. Why would God make laws for slaves? Why did He not just say to end slavery? Could it be that God knows human nature? He wants us to deal rightly with people even in a society that has slaves. Now, do the same thing with all of these laws. Why does God talk about premeditation when it comes to murder? Why is the punishment so severe for cursing parents? Why does God teach restitution? Why is God so angry with people who afflict widows and orphans? I hope you see what I mean. Each law gives us a glimpse into what God thinks is important. We need to think like God thinks in those areas. We should ask the Holy Spirit to build that wisdom into our minds, so we can operate by the mind of Christ.
Matthew 19 is a lot the same way. What is God's law about divorce and remarriage? Do you want to argue with God or accept what He says? To argue with Him is to be disoriented to what He is thinking. Instead, we should accept His reasoning, not ours. Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler to sell all and follow Him? Was that required of everyone or was He showing a principle? It reveals to us what God thinks is important, doesn't it? Only God can save a rich man, but his riches make it hard for him to put his trust completely in Christ alone. It is better to have no riches and to have Christ, than to have much wealth and no Christ. Finally, Jesus told His disciples they would help in judging the 12 tribes in eternity. Will their judgment be their own? I don't think so. They will judge in line with God's way of thinking. That is true of us as New Testament saints, since we will reign with Christ, too. Therefore, we need to get used to thinking like God thinks now. It is preparation for eternity.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 23-24 and Matthew 20:1-16.
As you read Exodus 21 and 22 think of all of the implications of these laws. Think of why God would make such laws. Why would God make laws for slaves? Why did He not just say to end slavery? Could it be that God knows human nature? He wants us to deal rightly with people even in a society that has slaves. Now, do the same thing with all of these laws. Why does God talk about premeditation when it comes to murder? Why is the punishment so severe for cursing parents? Why does God teach restitution? Why is God so angry with people who afflict widows and orphans? I hope you see what I mean. Each law gives us a glimpse into what God thinks is important. We need to think like God thinks in those areas. We should ask the Holy Spirit to build that wisdom into our minds, so we can operate by the mind of Christ.
Matthew 19 is a lot the same way. What is God's law about divorce and remarriage? Do you want to argue with God or accept what He says? To argue with Him is to be disoriented to what He is thinking. Instead, we should accept His reasoning, not ours. Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler to sell all and follow Him? Was that required of everyone or was He showing a principle? It reveals to us what God thinks is important, doesn't it? Only God can save a rich man, but his riches make it hard for him to put his trust completely in Christ alone. It is better to have no riches and to have Christ, than to have much wealth and no Christ. Finally, Jesus told His disciples they would help in judging the 12 tribes in eternity. Will their judgment be their own? I don't think so. They will judge in line with God's way of thinking. That is true of us as New Testament saints, since we will reign with Christ, too. Therefore, we need to get used to thinking like God thinks now. It is preparation for eternity.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 23-24 and Matthew 20:1-16.