We have been studying Deuteronomy Chapter 16, which I think may turn out to be my favorite passage of all in the Book of Deuteronomy.
One reason is because this chapter speaks of God’s Holy Days and their importance to a nation; the other reason is because these scriptures put a great emphasis on how a nation should be “just.”
It has become quite apparent over the last few months that sectors of the nation of America have not been just. Many are upset to see so many injustices taking place yet; day-after-day we go on as if nothing is wrong.
Do our leaders not know about Deuteronomy, Chapter 16?
Have they not heard what God desires from any nation that wants to follow Him?
JUSTICE AND JUSTICE ALONE
Last week we talked about the importance of choosing just leaders and using just laws.
This week I want to emphasize only one verse; one of the last given in this Chapter of Deuteronomy.
Let’s look much closer at verse 20 of Deuteronomy 16 before we make our way on through the rest of this historical moment in time.
Deuteronomy 16:20; Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Justice seems to be SO IMPORTANT to God. He demands here that Israel is to follow justice and justice alone.
How exactly does a nation go about following “justice alone?”
Without even realizing that we would be covering the subject of justice and speaking of it so frequently during our study time in the Book of Deuteronomy; I have blogged other articles this year that deal with the subject of whether or not a Christin should get involved in social justice issues.
The subject of justice seems to prevail around every corner this year.
GOD’S PERFECT TIMING
I’m a firm believer that God provides the words we need to hear in just the times that we need to know them most.
The word for this year seems to be screaming out loud and clear – J-U-S-T-I-C-E.
If we all could heed God’s words and follow justice and justice alone; perhaps our land too would become healed and grow up to be what God intended our nation to always be.
These articles that I mentioned we shared earlier this year about today’s culture and the history behind it all were even more timely than I realized. I caught myself wondering why I was taking so much time with those articles. They didn’t really fit the mold for the blog; but I strongly felt that God was leading me to write them down.
We are hoping to wind up that series of articles about “social justice issues” in January; but these bible lessons from Deuteronomy certainly have helped me to know more about the right way to write the final summary.
This blog is popular for following the rhythms of the seasons. We always look with joy and anticipation to the deeper meanings of the biblical seasonal celebrations. One celebration that we love observing is an annual Christian version of Hannukah.
HANUKKAH THEN AND HANUKKAH NOW
During the time of the very first Hannukah the Jewish people were being oppressed as a nation. Their whole identity was being challenged by the cultures around them.
An uncaring government authority had completely outlawed any practices of Judaism.
The Jews had taken to worshiping in secret and even then; they were always fearful of being caught. They had to decide whether to continue to be secretive about their beliefs, or to speak up bravely and defend themselves and their rights to worship as they thought best. This, of course, would jeopardize their safety and well-being.
GOVERNMENT FORCED SILENCE
I’m sure they were censored; and now we can see this ugly pattern raising it’s head again in our own culture.
Evil will always want to silence God’s Word, but the Word is alive and it cannot be contained or subdued by force.
In the ancient times of the first Hanukkah we notice and remember the times when the Maccabees grew to be a force in the land.
They waged wars, little by little, until victory and freedom came to be the norm again.
It wasn’t easy at all.
BY MY SPIRIT
They didn’t have much to work with. The sacrifices were great and many were slain in this cause. Still; they stood bravely and fought each battle as it came down the pike. They did not run and hide. Fear did not take over their ranks.
Zechariah 4:6 says: “Not by might, not by power, but by My spirit said the Lord of Hosts”
The Maccabees were not the strongest and not the most powerful; but their God WAS the strongest and most powerful. He helped them to prevail through one impossible battle after another.
Against all odds God’s rag-tag army won the battles!
No one gave up and no one gave in. They stood for truth and justice and they did not change with the times.
This is often illustrated in the lighting of the Menorah at Hanukah. The servant candle stands for Jesus, who is able to supply the power of God and all of the other lights come from its source.
A LITTLE IS A LOT WHEN GOD IS IN IT
One by one the servant candle gives light to the other candles until the whole room is illuminated. It takes time and patience.
The first day there isn’t a lot of light.
The second day is a little more.
The third day is a little more than that; until it all adds up into one huge glorious light that shines out of the truth of the unity of God’s people.
When I think of the dark forces of oppression that were closing in on the Jewish people in those ancient times of the first Hanukkah; and I realize they should be the examples of light that shine before us today, as our nation battles its own form of evil oppression.
Those who are willing to take a stand for God’s way of life in our country are now a lot like the Maccabees in spirit.
The light of Hanukkah connects the spirit of both times together and encourages us in that we know the final outcome was victory for God’s people.
Some how they overcame the forces of darkness; and we must do the same.
We must prevail by bringing the oil of God’s Holy Spirit into the temples of our bodies, and we must continue to worship and adore our Great God even amongst those who would love to shut us up or hide our light under a bush, or even worse, extinguish our testimonies so that the rest of the world will be left in only the silence of a less than joyful world.
Let’s never let that happen.
Let our people rise into a nation of light-bearers who are willing to bear the name of Jesus to the ends of the earth; regardless of the cultural leanings toward injustice and hate toward all that is of God.
Pray that God brings about the return to liberty and justice for all.
Why?
Because Deuteronomy 16 clearly states that is God’s will for a godly nation.
Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done.