Daily Bread for Mar 7, Dt 24-27

Today's readings are Dt 24-27.

The covenant God has with His people calls for them to live according to a higher moral standard as a reflection of His presence in their lives. As such, we see guidelines in Dt 24 for marriage and divorce, lending, abduction, contagious diseases, how to minister to the poor, weak and homeless. There are also guidelines for personal responsibility and accountability. In every case, the guidelines portray justice, holiness, grace, and/or mercy. In other words, the character and nature of God should be evident in how His people live in relationship to each other.

Dt 25 deals with civil justice in the areas of widows, women who misrepresent themselves as virgins, accurate weights and measures, the care of animals. All these guidelines are intended to display godly attributes among His people with an established judicial oversight that administrates justice to God’s people and their enemies. Note that the courts described in Dt 25 bear some resemblance to our court system. However, unlike our system of jurisprudence, which follows the laws of man, the courts in Israel are governed solely by the word of God.

Worship as an expression of thanks is directed in Dt 26:1-11. God's children have the things they have, including victory over their enemies, by the power and grace of God. They are commanded to show their gratefulness in their offerings and sacrifices. Some of these will become annual feasts and celebrations as reminders of God's goodness and provision. Moses calls for Israel to make these offerings and sacrifices with a right heart and attitude (Dt 26:16).

Just before crossing over into Canaan, a long and foreboding series of curses are pronounced in Dt 27 should the Hebrews fail to obey God's word. We learn that there are temporal consequences for disobedience among God's people.