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THE OBSERVATION OF THE LAW
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Deuteronomy 11:18-32

Romans 8:1-8

 

“For what the law
could not do, in that it was

weak through the flesh…”

 

THE OBSERVATION OF THE LAW
 
The commandments of the Lord required that Israel keep the moral Law and serve the Lord God alone. They were also required to live in harmony with one another in the bond of mutual love. They were to obey their rulers and maintain law and order in the whole nation. The other duty was to wage any war to defend the land that the Lord had given them. This would ensure unity and continued support from the Lord. Specific laws to that effect were given and Moses put everything in writing.
 
In addition, there were also laws pertaining to the worship of God: the ceremonial law. Priests were appointed to carry out all that was necessary to fulfil the directives of the Lord. There were annual feasts where all Israel had to come together in one place to celebrate. Then there was the daily offerings and terms of atonement for sin, maintaining the sanctity of worship in keeping oneself clean. The priests would prescribe the terms for cleansing and atonement. This was largely figurative of the coming Messiah, the anointed Son of God who would take away all sins. This part was thus fulfilled when Christ came and the ceremonial Law was then abrogated. It ceased to be a way of life for God’s people once Christ came and fulfilled that part of the law. Believers in Christ have no more obligations to that form of worship.
 
However, going back to the occupation of the Promised Land by Israel, the children of God had the immediate duty of obeying those laws diligently. A curse, in the form of divine punishment, hung before them if they disobeyed. When a people are wholly given to sin against God, they can be deprived of the common blessings that God bestows on all people. These include rain, sunshine and good health. It cannot be disputed that the coming of pestilences that have never been known before, like Covid-19 or Ebola, are not accidentals. God is still able to visit wayward people with such curses. The need to obey is ever valid.
 
THOUGHT: God is in control even in times of pestilences.

PRAYER: Father, bless my nation with the fear of Thee.

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