ELUL DAY 8
POINTS TO PONDER AND CONSIDER
1. Do you feel as if God is preparing you for something?
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2. If you answered “yes” to Question 1 – what have you noticed God point out to you? Is this part of your story, your destiny, your purpose that God made you for? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Are you responding? If so; how? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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4. If you answered “No” to question 1 – do you think God has you being still and quiet in this season for a reason? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Can you look back over the days of your life and see patterns of God’s interventions? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. If you said “yes” to Question 5; how have you typically responded to this realization? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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7. Have your eyes been opened to how you might need to separate your life decisions and actions from the ways and thinking of the world? What comes to mind? Are you committed to turning? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Do any of the long list of “nots” in the previous article jump out at you as a surprise? Have you actually considered all of these things in the way you are living your life before God? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. In ancient times when people blatantly disobeyed the Law of God they were cast out of the camp/community and not allowed back in until they changed.
How does the world handle such things today?
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10. How did the sacrifice of Christ deepen God’s expectations for his people to grow in holiness? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. How have these days of Elul helped you to grow in your faith? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ELUL DAY 8 MEDITATION
BE HOLY
CONTINUING THE JOURNEY THROUGH ELUL
We have traveled deep into the wilderness with the Israelis.
It seems like God is beginning to prepare them to leave this place and head to the Promised Land.
Yet; God knows His people have a lot left to learn about becoming a holy nation. Sometimes you learn as you go; but instructions are always better.
The people have already been given the Ten Commandments and they have been instructed on the best ways to live as they step out as God’s chosen pattern for a holy people/nation that follows God.
Still; we seem to have a pause in the journey.
We have stopped for Moses to participate in a long, detailed conversation with God.
Our Father seems to think this is a good time for reviewing the details and specifics of all His ways; just one more time.
We are discussing the passage of scripture from Leviticus, Chapter 19.
What a loaded chapter!
Between Leviticus 18 and Leviticus 19; God AGAIN reviews all of the Ten Commandments.
If you think about it; almost every scripture passage in the bible could be focused on at least one of the Ten Commandments. They are essential and very necessary when taking that holy journey which we call a Christian life.
These commandments are also very necessary in the living out of the theme that The IN SEASON Lifestyle blog community chose; which is based on 2 Timothy 4:2. The season of Elul is yet another emphasis on this fact.
We think Elul is a wonderful season for reviewing the commandments in light of God’s love and how He watches over us and always knows what is best for us.
As a follow-through to this part of the Elul Workbook; we will be posting ten more articles concerning each separate commandment during part of the time that is left in this month of Elul.
PREPARATION TO BECOME A GREAT NATION
Once God drives the Canaanites out of Canaan, He will clean and bless the land and prepare it for His people to enter into the promises that He long ago promised Abraham.
After God gives this precious land to the people who will form God’s Holy Nation for teaching the world God’s ways; God wants the land to always remain clean, holy and undefiled.
God wants a strong and healthy nation to come forth from The Children of Israel. This requires a lot of preparation and teaching. God is going to let them wander around in the desert until they have had enough practice time for living out His ways. They are going to learn His ways and begin to live the best way; the way He commands them to live.
The time has come for the testing of the nation of Israel.
There will be changes that need to be made.
The people need to be re-educated in the ways of God so that they can re-learn what they lost from their heritage during the time of Egyptian slavery and bondage.
TRUE FREEDOM REQUIRES WISDOM
Freedom without wisdom is often wasted. God is going to be sure that this doesn’t happen to Israel. He will teach them the best ways to live in their new-found freedom. Moses and Aaron will once again be the voice of God to the people; until they are ready for God to come down and dwell among them.
You might say they are going into a “practice session” that will teach them the laws of God by their experiences with life in the desert and the beginnings of learning how to have direct communications with God as He lives and moves among them.
The first part of initiating any change is for both parties to begin to communicate.
God has already instructed Moses about how He desires for the people to live. They have been given the Ten Commandments in writing; but here in Leviticus Chapter 19; God is going into much more detail about living them out.
God will be repeating many of the same things He has already said before; but He will be adding extra bullet points to the conversations by explaining more of the things that He did not go into detail about previously.
It is so crucial that Moses is able to grasp this information and translate it correctly to the people. Repetition is a good way to assure that this new conversation, though He is discussing all of the same subjects He addressed originally, will be successful and accomplish the desired results.
FIRST COMES HOLINESS
God begins the discussion with “Holiness.”
Over and over again God says; “Be Holy As I AM Holy.”
We; as God’s people of today, are to do our very best to imitate the ways that God gave these ancient Israelis to live. God’s ways never change. They are the same today, yesterday and tomorrow.
The very first thing God mentions is the fact that His people are to be holy; like He is holy.
He doesn’t say be holy like Buddha, or be holy like Mohammad, or be holy like Confucius; no. There is a reason for that. None of the others mentioned; no matter how “good” they might have lived on this earth were ever completely holy. Not under God’s definition.
The only Holy One is God Almighty.
We must imitate Him and Him alone.
NO OTHER GODS
So put away all of those other heroes that you have heard stories about; they don’t even come close. Begin to focus on God and God alone. The structure of a holy nation must be founded on this basic principle; that God is sovereign.
This is what makes God want to come closer; the very fact that you wish to be holy like Him. This is the most important thing that you will ever do in your life. Just taking this first step allows all the other steps to fall into place naturally.
NO IDOLS ALLOWED
In this same chapter God mentions something else in relation to the holiness of our worship. God says that we are not to have idols.
We are not to worship idols, turn to idols or make idols from our own imaginations. There is to be no pagan practices associated with idols.
All idolatry is to be put away and we are to worship God with holiness.
Our next article will go into much more detail of how to have no other gods before The One True God.
KEEPING SABBATH IS REQUIRED
There is yet another important way that God wants us to be holy like Him. He has commanded that we keep Sabbath. This means God’s definition of Sabbath; as opposed to the definitions of mankind’s imagination of Sabbath.
This act of keeping Sabbath is how we worship God in holiness within the spaces of time that He appointed to be weekly Sabbaths and Annual Sabbaths.
If you have not begun to understand this concept of keeping Sabbath in your own journey toward holiness and the worship of God; you are missing a vital link in the Christian lifestyle. Just as God commanded the people in the wilderness to pay attention to His definition of Sabbath; He also calls us to do the same today.
Keeping Sabbath is another way of becoming holy before God.
We must keep Sabbath the way He commanded. This is part of becoming holy; like God.
MAKING SACRIFICES
Sometimes our holiness requires prayerful repentance, confession and sacrifice. God goes into the details of these things with Moses during this long conversation. God speaks to him of how to carry out and perform the sacrifices and fellowship offerings that the people bring so that they will be acceptable.
We too must follow God’s ways when bringing our offerings to Him.
When you want to show honor to someone; you desire to honor them in a way which they are happy to receive. God has desired for our offerings and sacrifices to be holy.
We are to meet HIS requirements; not make up our own.
It is HIM that we honor; not ourselves. Our ways are not the same as His ways.
LOVE AND RESPECT
Being Holy is how we show our love for God.
Being respectful is how we show our love for other people.
God wants us to show our love for Him; and He wants us to also show our love for others.
After God reminds us of all the things we can do in order to begin to learn how to become holy like Him; He speaks of the people in our lives that are to be honored and respected. God commands us to honor our parents. We must also show respect and honor for each other in our day-to-day living. This means living moral lives.
Following God’s ways to live prevents dishonor to those we love. We must show everyone the proper respect and love that they deserve. We should be teaching our children to do the same.
In all of this process of learning how to love others; God has commanded us not to covet.
There is a difference between holiness and respect; though holiness always requires respect; respect doesn’t always mean something is “holy.”
Sometimes we respect people even if they are not capable of being holy. God requires this.
RESPECT FOR PARENTS
In this part of the conversation; God advised the people on how to respect their parents. Not all parents are righteous, holy and full of God’s ways. That isn’t an excuse though. God says to respect our parents; He doesn’t say “If they deserve respect.” We must follow this commandment in order to please God. Let Him do the judging.
RESPECT THE ELDERLY
The above noted commandment is worded towards respecting parents; but later in this conversation with Moses God mentions that ALL elderly are to be respected.
We see this in Leviticus 19:32 which says; “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.”
Notice that the words do not say “if they deserve it.”
There doesn’t seem to be a qualification required.
When you show respect for the elderly, even those who don’t deserve it; you are actually showing respect and reverence for God. Let Him do the judging.
LOVE GOD; LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
God expects us to love our parents, respect our elders and love our fellow man. He tells these things to Moses in the cloud on the mountain in very specific and detailed ways.
One way to love your fellow man is to provide food and sustenance for the poor and the hungry. God asks us to share our blessings with others.
God explains to Moses that everyone should leave the corners of their fields untouched during the harvest. He is speaking of the time when they enter the promised-land. That way the poor can come and gather and glean a crop in those times when they have nothing else to depend upon for food and/or money.
We all know the old, old story of how Ruth met Boaz as she was gleaning wheat in the corners of his field. They eventually became the great grandparents of Christ! It all came about because way back in the days of Moses God had asked all people following Him to be kind and generous with their blessings.
The life of Ruth is a symbolic and mirrored reflection of how God has built not only a holy nation called Israel; but also a holy spiritual nation called the Kingdom of Heaven.
IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE
We are to remember this today and help to make provisions for the needy wherever we live, however we can do so. In the ancient times people thought in agricultural terms. Leaving the corners of your fields un-harvested was like leaving twenty or thirty dollars on the counter next to a person that you know is hungry in a fast-food restaurant.
You can help others to have what they need without a lot of show and loud announcements. God desires that we do our good deeds quietly and with humility. Do not commit a good deed by helping them to live better; but then taking away their dignity in the process. Be kind, humble and merciful to everyone. Always remember that if not for the grace of God things might be very different. This poor person before you might actually BE you the next time.
Like the corners of the fields; our charities do not have to be so obvious or public. We can quietly leave our offerings of help to those who are hungry or in need of help. Pray for God to show you the right way. One day the blessings you give to others will most likely be returned one-hundred fold. This matters not though; the real blessing is the joy that comes from loving one another.
God tells Moses that when the people settle in the promised-land and they begin to grow vineyards; they should not go through the fields at harvest twice. If any grapes are overlooked and stay on the vine after the first harvesting; they are free to those who are passing by and willing to pick them and harvest them.
Here again; God is providing a way for those who will have no provisions. It is a righteous way that shows the individual no shame. God always does that! In a promised land full of God’s blessings, and rich abundance overflowing with milk and honey; there is no excuse for anyone ever going hungry. God’s nation should never be known as greedy; but only for love and abundant giving.
THOU SHALT NOT STEAL
After God talks to Moses about how the people should treat Him and then explains how they should treat one another; God gives some general rules for living that He expects the people to follow in their daily actions.
The first thing God mentions is the fact that no one should steal.
Stealing is wrong and God forbids it among His people. Our thoughts about the commandment worded “Thou shalt not steal will be coming forth soon in one of the next Elul meditations. Be watching for that article in relation to finishing today’s study and God’s comments to Moses regarding theft.
THOU SHALT NOT LIE
Next God explains that the holy people who will form the foundations of His nation should not lie.
Again; we will discuss this in deeper detail in one of the next articles of this workbook.
Right after God speaks of the fact that the people should not lie; He also says they should not deceive one another. This is more or less a clarification that deception is the same as a lie. Honest, righteous people of God do not deceive one another.
If you have ever had a close family member or a friend to participate in a deceptive act against you then you would understand how much this can hurt. God doesn’t want us to live this way. He doesn’t want to see His people broken and wounded by the arrows of deception and lies. God has seen Satan use these circumstances to his own favor over and over again. He wants us to avoid ever being the cause of such destruction and chaos.
God goes on to say that we should be honest when we are measuring out portions of things for sale.
Do not cheat your neighbor.
If you see your neighbor being hateful or dishonest; you must speak to them and try to resolve the matter and correct it. If you do not speak up when you know that someone is being wronged; you will have to bear that guilt before God.
To keep silent about someone’s innocence in a situation is to participate in a lie against them. Do not harbor secrets that will bring harm to others.
By the same token; you should not seek revenge or hold a grudge against your neighbor. Try to be honest and live in peace with all of those who live around you.
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
God explains to Moses that all men should love their neighbors as themselves.
If everyone just focused on showing love; we would have all the strength we need to keep the commandments. Love is the glue that holds God’s commandments together.
BE KIND TO FOREIGNERS IN THE LAND
We have said a lot about how we should treat each other if we are family or neighbors and friends; but what did God have to say about how to treat a foreigner dwelling in the land?
Leviticus 19:33 says; “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. “
God ever so patiently explains that we are to love and respect foreigners dwelling in our lands. Christians are to love and respect ALL people. He says we should treat them the same as if they were native born citizens. God reminds us that the shoe could easily be on the other foot. We could turn out to be the one in a foreign land needing a blessing.
There once was a time when Israel was known as the foreigner in a foreign land. The Egyptians did not honor God’s way of life. They did not treat the Israelis fairly or as if they were natives. God’s nation is different. We must learn to listen to God’s instructions and carefully and prayerfully change our attitudes toward foreigners dwelling in our lands today.
This passage isn’t referring to illegal aliens; it is speaking of foreigners who are lawfully living side-by-side with natives. We should learn to get along and respect one another. As long as they are living like the natives and not breaking any of the civil laws of the land; we should treat them exactly as if they were native to the land. They should be made to feel welcomed. God will honor this just as He honored the hospitality of Abraham and Sarah.
We should also show love and respect for those who have made the sad mistake of coming here illegally; let the law handle justice, a Christian is to be loving at all times. God will do the judging between right and wrong and the courts of the land will handle the law. We are not to take the law into our own hands.
FARMING IN THE PROMISED-LAND
Now this conversation with Moses was even getting down to some agricultural and farming details. There are laws set by God that govern this way of life. They are important.
Food is a necessary part of life on earth. I suppose a lot of the people going to the promised-land envisioned themselves living on productive farms. God was telling them how to take care of their animals and their crops when they arrived.
God tells them not to cross-bread their animals. That makes sense. God created the animals and we are to tend to them; not re-create other new varieties. I’m sure there is a lot more of the science side to this than I realize at this writing.
For now we will move on to the fact that God also told them not to cross their seeds for their crops. The idea is to keep the original things as healthy as possible. Or in other words, leave the creation in the way God made it. Our Creator knows so much more than us. He created things just as they needed to be. There should be no need to change the genetic make up of things. We need those original nutrients in our food for healthy nutritional reasons. We need our original DNA for the same reasons. These conversations were given to protect the food chain.
Fortunately for us, the Israelis of long ago (and those of today too) listened to God. The world did not have a GMO problem back in those ancient times. Israel does not have that problem today; only the nations that do not consider God’s ways in agriculture experience the dangerous mutations that eventually deplete our healthy food supply.
Once God had covered the basics for livestock and gardening He also explained the best ways for them to plant and harvest fruit in the land.
The things that God mentioned here about harvesting fruit in season is still followed today. It is all very scientifically accurate. This information is all very interesting; interesting enough for the Jewish people of today to declare a special day to remember and observe the trees of the land.
RECEIVING GOD’S BLESSINGS BY KEEPING HIS LAWS
I hope you are getting a glimpse into how practical and necessary God’s laws are both in relation to raising up a new nation from ancient times and also as we live out our lives today.
Every single law was given in order to teach mankind the very best ways to live on the earth. They tell us exactly how to be happy and blessed.
How could anyone ever resent such a gift from an amazing and loving Father?