March 19, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Deuteronomy 24 - Everything from divorce to purposely leaving produce in the fields for the poor to collect is discussed in this chapter.  The matter of practicing divorce is explained more clearly by Christ in Matthew's Gospel.  God did not want marriages to end except by death.  Forgiveness and reconciliation is what God expects. 

Deuteronomy 25 - Administering too harsh a punishment is forbidden by God, but He still expects corporal punishment to be used to deter future crime.  Some disgusting acts are to be severely dealt with.  God held the nation of Amalek guilty for their attacking Israel and God would eventually bring judgment upon them.

Deuteronomy 26 - God stressed once again the importance of offering to Him the tithe of the first fruits harvested each season.  This would show the Israelite's appreciation of all that God had provided and would provide for their needs to be met.  It was also an act of faith in that the believer was trusting God to still bless the rest of the harvest.

Deuteronomy 27 - The blessings and the curses of the Law were to be read aloud to the Israelites once they were in the Promised Land.  The details of the curses are laid out in this chapter.  God often warned the people of the consequences they would face if they broke His Law  This shows how serious God was in giving the Law and how serious the Israelite should be in obeying the Law!