RPG Adults
LAW OF THE HOUSE AND FARM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Deuteronomy 22:8-10
Proverbs 12:1-2
“Whoso loveth instruction
loveth knowledge…”
LAW OF THE HOUSE AND FARM
Safety in building a house: Anyone who builds a new house was required to put a battlement (parapet wall) on its roof so that people would not fall from it. Though the ways of building houses differ over time as well as in different geographical areas, safety is always of utmost importance. Israel was also given such a law by God (Deut 22:8). Today, regardless of advanced methods of construction, many buildings still pose great danger to people. Failure to follow safety regulations amounts to breaking the sixth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” (Deut 5:17).
Sowing in a field: God gave a law that dealt with agricultural practices: “Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled” (Deut 22:9). It is logical that when the seeds are not mixed in a farm, it yields maximum fruit. However, the lesson here is one of biblical separation. As God’s people went about their daily work in the fields, they would be reminded that they were to live separated lives unto the LORD.
Yoking an ox and an ass: God prohibited His people to yoke and use an ox and an ass at the same time to plough the fields. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul used the phrase “unequally yoked” with reference to this law. Once again, the point here has to do with the doctrine of biblical separation. These agricultural prohibitions served as physical reminders to the children of Israel that they were to remain a separated people of God and not be unequally yoked with the heathen nations. Animal labour has largely been replaced by machines today, though animals are still used in some parts of the world. Nevertheless, the lesson of biblical separation remains valid and relevant today.
THOUGHT: God gives just and good laws for the benefit of His creatures.
PRAYER: Father, help me to abide by Thy laws.