“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

 

Rules, rules, rules!

Deuteronomy is full of them!

Even including what the Jewish people were allowed to eat!

Basically their diet was as follows: Deuteronomy 14:6

“And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.”  Further details, many in fact, are given in the context, but the verse you’ve just read sums everything well.

And concerning seafood, fish? “And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.” Quoting Deuteronomy 14:9.

Are these arbitrary guidelines?

Without reason or logic?

No!

I believe God never does anything capriciously, haphazardly.

No doubt dozens of good reasons, both spiritually and physically, lie behind the many prohibitions (or inclusions) God gave Israel, even concerning her diet.

Two quick thoughts. today …

“And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.”

Feet that “part the hoof” implies that the animal will NOT mire in the mud, sink into the turf, as easily as other animals with un-parted hoofs! In other words, they are not as much “of this world!” More fleet-footed, less involved, ready to leave at a moment’s notice!

Put that kind of meat into your bodies!

Even we as Christians are not to be “of this world!” Not deeply embedded into its systems and filth and philosophies (the parted hoofs idea)!

And “chewing the cud?”

Not gobbling one’s meat down whole!

Eating more slowly, deliberately, even re-digesting much of what one has consumed!

This is basically the word picture the concept of “meditation” presents to our minds! As in “meditating on God’s Word!”

Wow!

Separated from the World!

And  … Deeply enjoying the Word of God!

Then the fish … “And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.”

I see similar principles at work here.

No fins? Then much less able to “guide” oneself through the “waters” (some of them very trying, difficult) of life! These creatures (with fins) do not simply “slither” along, serpent-like!

And scales?

Again, a simple “barrier” God has given certain sea-life to help them maintain some “separation” from their (at times noxious) environment!

Guidance and cleanliness!

Not a bad idea for fish … or Believers in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Some of you may think I’m carry this typology (if that’s what it is) too far.

I’d love to hear your opinions.

But if I am anywhere near right … the food I put into my mouth can (in a way) preach to me fresh sermons about the very ways of God!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Of course I am NOT saying that today (in the dispensation of God’s amazing Grace) we should all abide by Jewish dietary law. But I am saying that God had good reasons for mandating them. And if you had bacon for breakfast today … I assure you no sin was committed. Unless you ate too much!

 

 

I planned to comment (write a little Lesson) on each chapter in Deuteronomy. But earlier this morning, when previewing Chapter 13, I nearly laid aside my goal!

It is full of death, chapter 13.

Honestly, it is composed of 18 verses, commanding death to person after person, in some cases groups of people. It is Mosaic Law at its most stringent intersection!

Here’s an example. When a false preacher or teacher has arrived: “That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 13:5

Then follows event after event where some offender is to be executed.

Wow!

“If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: but thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” Deuteronomy 13:6-10

And if a whole town is found to be idolatrous … “Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword. And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.” Deuteronomy 13:15-16

Strong!

Now I AM NOT ADVOCATING following such procedure in today’s world. In fact, I do not believe God would want us to do such. We do not operate under the strict commands of Moses’ law now. We live in a time where God’s Grace is reigning, ruling.

Today we’d see that idol-worshipping crowd and (at least try) win them to Jesus! Or tell them of His Love and Forgiveness anyway.

After all, killing one of them would simply be sending him to Hell!

BUT …

BUT …

BUT …

I do believe there is a spiritual principle behind these requirements!

The danger of casually coexisting in the midst of sin and degradation, extreme tolerance for wickedness (rebellion culminating in the worship of a plethora of gods and goddesses).

That stuff is still deadly to a vibrant life of loving God and His Son.

So, instead of hurting anyone (fact is “loving” them as Jesus might would have done) … we should just “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing.” Using Paul’s words from 2 Corinthians 6:17.

Sin contaminates, folks!

Paul again, in the same context: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?”

To what extent do I not “mess” with that godless crowd?

Get this! “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22, even its appearance!

REMEMBER, DO NOT HURT ANYONE!

But guard yourself diligently!

(Idolatry is no less dangerous today than it was 3,500 years ago, folks!)

It’s just that God solved the problem in Moses’ day in a different manner.

Oh, the beauty of the GRACE of God!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Ask the Lord to show you some “sin” in your life today, one with which you have been much too “cozy,” and deal with it! Again you can’t hurt anybody … but you sure can “slaughter” that sin! Paul again: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:6, where “mortify” literally means “to put to death!” (Hack that “sin” to pieces! Eliminate it from your life as a Christian!)

No literal blood shed … but the principle of Deuteronomy 13 will have been followed indeed! And the sins we too often tolerate might actually begin disappearing!

Again, WOW!

 

The Lesson today will be “old news” to many of you.

But to others, a “fresh breath of air!”

It’s a warning really, today’s Bible Text.

One that helps “protect” the Word of God.

A warning that’s repeated elsewhere in Scripture as well!

“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt NOT ADD thereto, NOR DIMINISH from it.” That’s God Himself speaking, Deuteronomy 12:32, that chapter’s last verse.

Obey God’s Word, God’s Law, God’s Direction for life. (The Hebrew verb “observe to do” is “shamar,” meaning “to guard or protect!” Hence, “heed” 35 times in the King James Bible.

Obey the various “charges, orders” God has given us!

But further admonition is also given … “Thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”

Wow!

Don’t “tamper” with any of God’s Words! (The verb “tamper” is much like the verb “temper,” meaning to “meddle, interfere.” Here’s one of its earliest definitions, or examples: “to work in clay, etc., so as to mix it thoroughly.”)

In Hebrew “add” (spelled “yasaph” and the root of the name “Joseph) means “to increase” something. To “exceed” its limits. Do not go beyond what God has declared!

In fact, the “eye for eye” and “tooth for tooth” regulations of Scripture (as in Exodus 21:24, for example) are limiting the field of punishment, not draconically enforcing them! If a man even accidentally blinds one eye … you cannot then in turn blind both his eyes! Just “one” for “one.” To do more would be “adding” to God’s Word. Taking it further than God intended!

And “diminishing” the Bible?

The word is “gara” in Hebrew, meaning “to clip!” Or “to take away.” To make “smaller!” In other words, do not try to “restrain” the Word of God! Paul often prayed that the Word, when he preached, would be unrestrained. That Scripture would have “free course” (a Greek verb meaning “to run without hindrance”) and be “glorified!”  See 2nd Thessalonians 3:1 for proof.

Now, let’s put our Text verse together again: “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”

A requirement so important God repeats it elsewhere in the Bible!

Back in Deuteronomy 4:2, the very Book we’re studying now. “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (By the way, using the very same verbs we just noticed, “yasaph” and “gara.”)

Then notice Proverbs 30:5-6. “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. ADD THOU NOT unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”

Finally (unless I have missed some) Revelation 22:18-19. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall ADD unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall TAKE AWAY from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Maybe the strongest warning of all!

Need I say anything else today?

God’s Word, all sufficient … without any changing made by man!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

The level of devotion God craves?

Is He satisfied if we merely acknowledge Him in our lives?

Paying Him “token” lip service from time to time?

Or does He want more, in fact … demand more?

In order to receive God’s very BEST day by day, to benefit from His constant servings of GRACE … it is highly recommended that a Believer in the Lord God Almighty obey Him energetically!

As in Deuteronomy 11:22. “For if ye SHALL DILIGENTLY KEEP all these commandments which I command you, TO DO them, TO LOVE the LORD your God, TO WALK in all his ways, and TO CLEAVE unto him ….” Look at that string of verbs!

Here “shall diligently keep,” that verb, is translated this way in the Hebrew Text: “shamar shamar!” The verb is doubled, for emphasis! It means “to hear and obey” then “to hear and obey” some more!

“To do,” an infinitive, means (“asah” in Hebrew) “to accomplish” God’s Laws, performing them precisely!

“To love” God is “ahab,” meaning “to be friends” (and more) … obviously the depth of attachment is growing! But beyond “liking” a person … until absolute “adoration” begins!

Then … the heart of today’s Lesson … “to cleave” unto the Lord! “Dabaq” in Hebrew is the normal word for being “glued” to something! To “stick” to a person! Once transated “to be joined,” in the King James Version. Five times “to follow hard” after Him!

And as a Qal stem infinitive “dabaq” implies ongoing (perpetual, durative) adhesiveness to our Saviour! A “lifestyle,” if you please!

Reminds me of Psalm 63:8, two verbs there. “My soul followeth hard (“dabaq”) after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” Yes, it’s “dabaq” again! (Note one’s soul no sooner pursues the Lord God, but that He immediately reaches out and “upholds” or “supports” His eager follower!)

So today’s let’s “be glued” to our Lord!

A “gluing” which first presupposes … obeying Him, loving Him, walking after Him!

Wow!

Oh, I am about to forget!

Once we do these things, culminating in such ardent attachment … the very next verse begins with the word “then.” Let me show you. “If ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him … THEN will the LORD …!”

Then will the Lord … “drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.”

In other words, “THEN will the Lord” give you victory!

Clearly, there are blessings accrued by “cleaving” unto the dear Lord!

I’d say, “innumerable blessings.”

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell