Bible In One Year-Day 81 (Saturday, March 22, 2014)

Commentary: Deut13-16. Chapter13 shows God’s hatred for idolatry. Idolatry is spiritual harlotry which is initiated by unholy enticement and seduction. Four sets of people were identified as media of seduction: the prophets (i.e. those you have spiritual respect for), the dreamers (i.e. those you considered having special spiritual gifts), your relatives and your close friends. These sets of people would have shown love to you at one time or the other, thereby winning your trust in them. Basically, the devil works in such a way that he tends to win your confidence in him. He works through those you have confidence in. He will first provide an evidence for you to believe in him before introducing his intention, perversion, to you. When he met Jesus, he used the same old style he used to lure Adam into trouble; he quoted God’s word. Verse 1 says the prophets and dreamers give signs and wonders;

Deuteronomy 13:1 “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,”

The relatives will come with the countenance of “we care” but could be a bait into idolatry. This chapter, basically, is cautioning against violation of the first two of the Ten Commandments. In chapter14, there is a list of animals to eat and not to eat. Although, the New Testament makes us to understand that we could eat these animals, the truth remains that there are derivable health benefits in complying with these rules of abstainance. However, one rule remains and that is you abstain from any animal that had died a natural death even though it was considered clean before death. The blood is still in the animal and again, the death could be as a result of a disease.

The secret of increase is in tithing;

Deuteronomy 14:22 “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.”

In everything you do in the household of God, consider tithing as the priory. In addition to your tithing, God delights in those who go extra mile to care for the ministers, widows, strangers and fatherless in the community; this is genuine charity work, Matt25:34-46. Whoever has the heart of God cannot stop giving to the poor;

Deuteronomy 15:7-8 “If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.” Learn to be a blessing to somebody this weekend. Our reading for today is Deut17-19. Keep the fire burning and alive.