The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Exodus 22:31,
"You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs."
The Israelites were to be God's "holy people", and so God had an expectation they would comport themselves in a manner reflecting that. In this law I see something akin to our day, where we might joke about someone who would cook up roadkill to eat. God says don't do it!
The term "holy" in this context equates to Merriam-Webster's third definition of "holy": "devoted entirely to the deity or the work of the deity." Israel was set apart by God for his special purposes to bring his redemption to mankind. God desired their standard of living to reflect that.
By the time the gospel went out to the world through the apostolic witness, historians tell us that the Jewish quarter within a city during the Diaspora was the part of town that reflected higher moral virtues. Although Israel has had her shortcomings, and notably their rejection of God's Son, God nevertheless has left his fingerprints all over this people.
I am reminded that the redeemed of the Lord are to live our lives reflecting that status with God. As Peter quotes Leviticus 11:44, 45 and 19:2, "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" 1 Peter 1:13-16.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know. A blog with all my posts can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
"You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs."
The Israelites were to be God's "holy people", and so God had an expectation they would comport themselves in a manner reflecting that. In this law I see something akin to our day, where we might joke about someone who would cook up roadkill to eat. God says don't do it!
The term "holy" in this context equates to Merriam-Webster's third definition of "holy": "devoted entirely to the deity or the work of the deity." Israel was set apart by God for his special purposes to bring his redemption to mankind. God desired their standard of living to reflect that.
By the time the gospel went out to the world through the apostolic witness, historians tell us that the Jewish quarter within a city during the Diaspora was the part of town that reflected higher moral virtues. Although Israel has had her shortcomings, and notably their rejection of God's Son, God nevertheless has left his fingerprints all over this people.
I am reminded that the redeemed of the Lord are to live our lives reflecting that status with God. As Peter quotes Leviticus 11:44, 45 and 19:2, "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" 1 Peter 1:13-16.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know. A blog with all my posts can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
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