Deuteronomy 17:1-7 “You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God.
If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly.
If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel, you must bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing, and stone that person to death. On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness. The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from among you.”
WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR PEOPLE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS??? After 400 years of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites have escaped in one night and have then crossed a body of water on dry land with walls of water standing on either side of them. God has wiped out the largest and most powerful army in the world by sending that water back to its place. The Israelites have traveled throughout an inhospitable waste land for forty years while God has provided food, water, and even meat. During those forty years, God has guided His people by appearing as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Shoes and clothing are just as new and durable as they were at the beginning of the trip. When enemies have attacked, the Israelites have defeated them. These people have been living a forty year long miracle!
You might think that having seen the incredible power of God, the Israelites would have nothing but fear and respect for God. You might think that having seen all these wonders, the Israelites would be anxious to give God the very best sacrifices that they could, out of awe if for no other reason. But God knows the human heart better than we do, and He knows that once the first flush of enthusiasm dies away, men begin scheming to see how small a sacrifice they can get away with. God’s word on this subject is simple: DON’T COMPROMISE!
What about Israelites who become enamoured of other gods? If a report is investigated and found to be true, such people are to die! But notice something: the reports are to be thoroughly investigated and nobody can be stoned without confirmation from two or three witnesses. Again, God has no illusions about the attraction the various cults hold for His people. Among the Israelites, there may still be those who have Egyptian idols or jewelry or who are trying to preserve the worship of some of the Egyptian gods. It has been much easier to get the Israelites out of Egypt than to get Egypt out of the Israelites. The Book of Judges is a sad testimony to the results of tolerating pagan forms of worship. The last statement in the Book of Judges is a very pathetic one. “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)
APPLICATION: We might read the accounts of the wanderings of the Israelites and feel a bit smug. After all, WE would certainly have behaved better…. or would we? When we are giving to worthy causes, are we giving sacrificially or are we giving what is convenient? If we donate to food banks or to clothing drives, do we try to see what people really need, or do we use these events as an excuse to clean out our cabinets and our closets, with little regard for the things that will actually help others?
What activities occupy our free time? Do we relegate worshiping God to a short time once a week while we play video games for hours? Are we really trusting the One True Living God, or are we trusting our jobs, our reputations, our family, our social connections? Are we frittering away opportunities for eternal blessings by being obsessed with trivialities? Psalm 90:12 tells us, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” If the recent pandemic has not taught us anything else, it should have taught us that life is precious and fragile and that we can sicken and die quickly.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Help us to invest our days in those things that count for eternity. Help us to remember that You have already given us life, and that You have promised that those who trust in You and in Your Son Jesus’ sacrifice will have eternal life. Let us give freely to You, knowing that we can never out – give You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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