“OTHERS MAY … YOU CANNOT!”

The words rang in my ears!

A Preacher was talking about having God’s “BEST” in one’s life.

He was teaching us some things about the Biblical principle of “separation.”

And now today, this morning, I have found that idea illustrated once again in the Word of God!

And of all places … Deuteronomy!

“Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God.” Deuteronomy 14:21

If an animal gets sick and dies, or for that matter simply expires from old age … it is NOT to be eaten by the Jewish people. And that’s a Law from God! “Ye shall NOT eat of any thing that dieth of itself.”

Such is clearly forbidden … to those who count themselves the people of God. To the people who are categorized “the apple of His Eye.” See Zechariah 2:8 for an illustration of this quote.

No doubt there are “health” reasons behind this prohibition.

As well as spiritual reasons, one being stark obedience to God.

But … do note.

If a Jew chose to give such meat (a creature that had died a natural death) to a foreigner in his midst, one who was not under the covenant of Mosaic Law … such a gift was all right in God’s Eyes! “Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it.”

Wow!

See it, the idea?

God is holding His Own people … to a higher standard!

Simply that.

And we prove our love to God … by doing what he says!

Jesus agrees, for John 14:15 He thunders: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

And this is astounding, to me anyway.

The Israelites could even SELL such meat (animals dying from natural causes) … to their alien neighbors! They just could not consume it themselves! Back to our Text verse for today: “Thou mayest sell it unto an alien.”

But not eat it personally!

OTHERS MAY … YOU CANNOT!

Our verse again, noticing the last clause. “Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: FOR THOU ART AN HOLY PEOPLE unto the LORD thy God.”

Amazing!

Here, being “different” is a testimony to being “holy” unto the Lord!

And God seems to have meant it that way.

All I ask you to do today … think about the whole concept.

There are some things GOD is not going to allow you to do … not and remain in full fellowship with Him. Because you are holy in His Eyes!

The Lord willing, another Lesson Monday morning.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell