So reading through the Old Testament can be challenging especially going through Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In these books there are a few redundant passages (just a few) and with all of the sacrifices and feast, it is easy to skip or browse through it. But this time around I am taking it slow and really looking for the heart of God in it. I personally believe that it wasn't just a bunch or rules to regulate Israel. I believe that this stuff is there for a reason and the reason often points to God's attributes, or as I am calling it here: God's heart.
Here is an example of what I feel God telling me through a passage in Leviticus 19:9-10
When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.
Now in case you didn't know, I am not a farmer and have no land or crops, so what could this verse say to me? How can I learn to see God's heart in it? Simple, God is laying down a system to provide for those in need (the poor and alien in this case). God's grace and compassion is showing through this passage. He doesn't say to save it for those who deserve it, He just says to save it. In the case of this passage, I have recently fallen short, not with my fields but with my time. See I filled up every hour and every day with task that needed to be done. There was even a point where I felt pride in how much I was getting done. I looked at my calendar filled with all of the dates and appointments and thought about how organized I was with everything fitting into it's own little time slot.
Well guess what I didn't allot for? The needy, one of which was my wife and the other was some friends who needed some help moving. I reaped to the very edges of my time/calendar and left no room for compassion and grace. So I have made it a point to allow time in my schedule for the needy and the alien (oh and for my wife!). I will try not to fill up my calender and leave room for grace and compassion when it arises. This dose not mean that I will be saying yes to anyone who ask for anything, it just means that I will leave time open to see what God has in store for it. Maybe rest, maybe service, but only the extra time will tell.
That is my rant for now, hopefully I will see you all back here before next month!
2 comments:
1) Glad I am one of your 3 readers and glad you have an update.
2) You could be a farmer if you played Farmville on Facebook, just ask Sheila.
3) "Do or Do Not, There Is No TRY"
4) I 100% agree with you that reading through the 1st part of the Old Test, can be hard. I have been trying to follow the reading plan you guys are on, and that is the part I am struggling most with. There are good bits that I can take from it though, like the one you mentioned. Hopefully as I continue to read more, it will become clearer to me with God's guidance.
Derick
I recently began blogging on my personal blog again as well.
I'm still following your blog. :) Very moving post. Thank you for sharing.
The children and I are studying in Exodus now, and God is so speaking to us through it. God is so good, gracious and merciful.
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