Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19 + Luke 10:13-37 + Psalm 75:1-10 + Proverbs 12:12-14
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~
Old Testament – There are quite a few miscellaneous and interesting regulations in our readings today! 🙂 All in all, very good advice of course. Deuteronomy chapter 25 verse 4 tells us this wise advice – “Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain.” I think it is quite fair for an ox to eat while he’s working!
New Testament – Luke chapter 10 verse 20 is an incredible teaching from Jesus for us to heed even today – “But don’t rejoice just because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered as citizens of heaven.” I do think that sometimes we rejoice over the wrong things – secondary things. The primary thing is our relationship with Jesus. And then there are secondary good things that perhaps we do or are involved with in the Kingdom. But, don’t rejoice over those. Rejoice that you are in an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the one thing that matters.
Today in Luke chapter 10 verse 21 we read – “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” What a great opening line – Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit! In your life today – are you full of joy through the Holy Spirit? Do you want to be? I read a great commentary from the One Year Bible companion on this verse with this wonderful Q & A – “What was Jesus’ relationship to the Holy Spirit? Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, baptized by the Holy Spirit, anointed by the Holy Spirit, guided by the Holy Spirit, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and filled with the Holy Spirit. He lives in union with the Holy Spirit, and was dependent upon the Holy Spirit.” What is your relationship with the Holy Spirit today? Are you dependent upon the Holy Spirit in your life?
If you are interested in studying more about the Ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives please check out these incredible commentaries from Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org on the Holy Spirit –
https://bible.org/seriespage/36-ministry-holy-spirit-john-1612-33
https://bible.org/seriespage/putting-pentecost-perspective-part-2-holy-spirit-gospels-acts-21-13
https://bible.org/seriespage/putting-pentecost-perspective-part-1-holy-spirit-old-testament-acts-21-13
Today we read the famous story of the Good Samaritan. This story always convicts me to ask myself – “Who is my neighbor?” Who is your neighbor? Below is a painting from 1890 by Vincent van Gogh titled “The Good Samaritan”:
Bible.org’s commentary on our Luke chapter 10 readings today titled “The True Source of Joy” is at this link and commentary titled “The Good Samaritan” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 75 verse 7 is so powerful and so true… I need to hear this over and over again – “It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall.” You and I do not judge. Well, we might try to judge, but it’s all in vain if we do. And we risk turning judgment onto ourselves when we do. God alone judges. God alones decides who will rise and who will fall. We do not. God is God. We are not. This is a very good thing to always remember! 🙂 We should also always remember we are so not this man below when it comes to other people’s hearts or eternal destinies…
Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 12 verse 14 is a beautiful Proverb – “People can get many good things by the words they say; the work of their hands also gives them many benefits.” I think it is safe to say that we should speak and work and there will be benefits! 🙂 It is true I think that work is a very good thing. I’m sure you’re probably like me at times and dream about winning the lottery. This seems like it would be ideal. We wouldn’t have to work. We could just do what we wanted. Trust me – this would be a curse. We need work. I think it blesses us immensely to work. And indeed it gives many benefits – and not just $. The benefits include confidence and skills and friendships and socialization and this list could go on. The work of our hands gives us many benefits. Forget the lottery. You don’t want that trouble. 🙂 Let us get to work!
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Matthew West’s awesome song “Don’t Stop Praying:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r0eA49MZ0w
Have you stopped praying? Click here and pray!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray and rejoice if your name is written in heaven through your saving faith in Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection. Pray that you will not rejoice that spirits submit to you, but that you will rejoice in Christ alone.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on Luke chapter 10 verse 20 above, have you ever literally rejoiced because your name is registered as a citizen of heaven? If not, will you take a moment to do so now? Do you think in our lives today we actually think more about being citizens of this world or of heaven? Where is our heart when it comes to where we think our citizenship truly lies? Are you looking forward to the day when the false citizenship of this world is no longer a distracting issue and you fully realize that you are a citizen of heaven? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
Deuteronomy 23-25:19
I have gone through these three chapters about four times trying to get a change of focus but I’m stuck on verses two and three of the 23rd chapter.
2″Those of illegitimate birth and their descendants for ten generations may not be included in the assembly of the LORD.
3″No Ammonites or Moabites, or any of their descendants for ten generations, may be included in the assembly of the LORD.
I realize that we are operating under a new covenant but I can’t help think that there is something more here than meets “my” eye because of what little I know of the scriptures.
“Assembly of the LORD,” what is it? Is this considered all of Israel (actually Israel as well as spiritual), or is this leadership, elders of the religious community or political or possibly both? I’m going through the Bible using the One Year Bible and these two verses in Deuteronomy 23 have arrested my attention.
I know that Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law was a Moabite and she was David’s grandmother (1 Chronicles 2:10-13) so how does that fact fit in with what the third verse of Deut 23 states? I’m thinking that all of this, verse 2 and 3 has something to do with lifestyle choices and that is what causes you to be Israel and or a Moabite. Judah produced two sons out of wedlock and by his daughter-in-law (Gen. 38) Tamar who were in Jesus’ lineage. And yes I know that this discretion happened before the Law was given to Moses. Also one of Israel’s judges, Jephthah was born out of wedlock (Judges 11). So what does this all mean?
Funny how we get stuck on things that seem to make no sense, but I’ve learned if I stuck on something God is trying to show me something or at least trying to get me to see things from a different perspective.
Deuteronomy 25:
17 “Never forget what the Amalekites did to you as you came from Egypt. 18 They attacked you when you were exhausted and weary, and they struck down those who were lagging behind. They had no fear of God. 19 Therefore, when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your enemies in the land he is giving you as a special possession, you are to destroy the Amalekites and erase their memory from under heaven. Never forget this!
Again here is something that flies in the face of forgive and forget. And yes I know that we are under a different covenant; however, in the fourth verse of chapter 23 God commands Israel to behave differently toward the Egyptians, who held them in bondage, and the Edomites, descendents of Esau. I’m still thinking that there is something in the way each of these mentioned nations have chosen to conduct their society that determines Israel’s treatment of them. I do know that all of the mentioned nations worshiped a multitude of gods. So I think that each nation’s character must have something to do with how Israel interacts with them. I think I’m focused on this because this might have implications for us today.
Luke 10:13-37
In Luke 10 this conversation is recorded, 25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?”
26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
One of the reasons why I love going through the scriptures for myself is because God has invited me too. Jesus asked this religious expert, “How do you read it?” In short He was telling the man, just as he tells us today, “Don’t’ give me what someone else’s has said, tell me what you think?” Throughout scripture God has invites us to dialogue with Him out His Word. And if we are truly seeking truth, when we are wrong about reading a scripture, God will engage us in dialogue. He won’t slap us silly, He want call us neither stupid nor “dingbat.” I know this for a fact because He has lovingly engaged and corrected me.
“Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
Most of the time our understanding of the text is right is just our application may be off.
Psalm 75:1-10
1 We thank you, O God!
We give thanks because you are near.
People everywhere tell of your mighty miracles.
Sometimes I invite myself to my very own pity party and I think at work, at play or wherever, that I’m the only bible believing Christian and I’m in the midst of a “bunch of heathens.” That is a lie. This text tells me that there are people everywhere talking about God and what He has done. I’m just not listening because I’m focusing on little ole me and thinking I’m all that and a bag of chips!
Proverbs 12:12-14
14 People can get many good things by the words they say; the work of their hands also gives them many benefits.
This seems to be just another way of saying we reap what we sow.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Peggy:
My thoughts about, What is my relationship with the Holy Spirit? He is my everything. I depend on the Holy spirit to guide me, to protect my mind, to control my tongue. I would me nothing without the Holy Spirit in my life. Have a blessed day
Peggy
======= Hal:
Jesus said tells us to recognize people and identify them for what they do in Matthew 7:16-20. I will type it all out but please do not think that I am disputing what you are saying. I am just noting that Jesus tells us to be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. We are to use wisdom and His discernment to again recognize where a person’s heart truly is. And there is clearly a difference between judging someone and just calling out a false prophets/ name tag christian/ antichrists for who they truly are. It talks about in 2 Tim 3:5 it talks about people who have a form of godliness but deny its power. And then it ends saying, “have nothing to do with them.” So we have to use judgement to recognize those that this scripture talks about, but not saying, “oh, you’re going to hell.”
Matt 7:16-20
16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them
God bless you and have a great day
Hal
======= Pam:
Do I ever rejoice! I will be so glad (glad doesn’t come near to expressing it – but can’t think of another word right now..) when we will be able to dwell in our true home as citizens of heaven.
Many times a good Samaritan has come to my aid, and many times I have been the good Samaritan regarding physical needs. As it pertains to the spiritual, I see this parable as being the duty of Christians to reach the lost with the Gospel. So many lost souls are beaten down and forgotten- left to perish eternally because too many “Christians” are not following Jesus. He told us to do as He did. Not simply sit back and rejoice that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, but to Make it our greatest endeavor to reach the lost – at the point of their need. At times the lost are not a pretty sight: poor, sick, depressed, addicted, homeless, rebellious, etc.. We can not simply walk along the other side of the road. Love is getting our hands dirty (putting our self to work kind of dirty, not plunging into sin kind of dirty) and caring enough to lift the lost up on the donkey (I use my car to pick them up – but a donkey will do :), carry them to safety (church, Bible study, an honest conversation at your own dinner table, etc..), nurse their wounds (pray with them, disciple them, cry with them, help them find the help they need whatever the situation, etc..) and be committed to their continued sound health by treating them like Jesus would have us to do!
At least that is how I see it…
Pam
======= Kitty:
Yes I have not only rejoiced because my name is registered as a citizen of heaven. More so, I find it extremely joyful to see others as citizens of heaven. I rejoice in seeing others giving their hearts to the Lord!
Kitty
======= Jenny:
I love Luke 10:21!!…my pastor talked about it once and it just blessed my heart!! Jesus saw the excitement of the 70 and it rejoiced Him. He thanked God for hiding these things from the proud, wise-in-their-own eyes ppl, but revealed knowledge to the simple, childlike. I cant explain it, but that verse just blesses me.
Interesting Jesus used a Samaritan in his example as the ‘good guy’ bcos Jews and Samaritans didnt get along or have dealings with each other.
Of course I know where my citizenship is.. I know all true believers have that deep down LONGING in their soul to be Home…this deep feeling in our soul that it doesnt belong here, that Homesickness we feel. Its like my soul just groans to be where my citizenship is!
Det 25:11-12, haha! remind me never to defend my husband in a fight.
Jenny
======= Laura:
So i wanted to share with you all what we are doing at our church. We SOAP every day,
S- find Scripture that really comes out and speaks to you
O- what is your observation of that scripture
A- how will you apply it to your life
P- Prayer
This has helped me a lot really reflect on the words i have been reading over the last few months with you guys. I am very grateful for this blog.
God Bless you all
Laura
======= Renee:
I don’t usually like to post negative comments, but your comments on work seem to deal only with work outside of the home. What about people who work in the home? I think what they do is very beneficial, and I don’t think they are harmed by being able to do what they want. I think the family really benefits by someone staying home and doing the housework. I may be misinterpreting what you mean, and if that is true I am very sorry.
Renee
======= Debra:
working inside the home is hard work , and filled with opportunity to minister and so many more things.
Debra
======= Frederick:
The consistency of the Bible
1) Deuteronomy 23:1 & Nehemiah 2:1 & 6:10-11
1 No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the LORD.
1 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before,
6:10-11
10 One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.”
11 But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!”
Nehemiah, who was the cupbearer of king should be an eunuch and so he later refused to enter the Temple because of the regulation as stipulated in Deuteronomy 23:1
2) Deuteronomy 24:19-22 & Ruth 2:
19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.
Ruth 2:2-3 & 2:8-9
2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”
2 Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3 So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.
8 So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. 9 Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”
So Boaz was doing Deuteronomy 24:19-22 to Ruth.
3) Deuteronomy 25:2-3 & 2 Corinthians 11:24
2 If the guilty person deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make them lie down and have them flogged in his presence with the number of lashes the crime deserves, 3 but the judge must not impose more than forty lashes. If the guilty party is flogged more than that, your fellow Israelite will be degraded in your eyes.
2 Corinthians 11:24
24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.
Paul was beaten forty lashes minus one (also originated from the OT, Deuteronomy 25:2-3)
Frederick
===== Antonietta:
Deuteronomy 25: 5-10 stood out to me today. The laws of a Levirate Marriage.I am trying to visualize having to marry my brother in law in a case like this.That would be really hard if you are not attracted to each other in the first place.The law says out of respect for a marriage with a male child or a child the brother must marry the widow and have a child with her. By doing this she is able to remain part of the family.If the brother in law refuses to marry her she removes his shoe and spits in his face.She is now open for the next in line within the family to marry her I am thinking of the book of Ruth as I write this Boaz and Ruth.
Antonietta
======= Joe:
I do look forward to the days our citizenship no longer matters in this world. I look forward to a day, that my citizenship is under a ruler who loves me, shows grace, and guides me through his love. It will be a good day indeed. A citizen of a place that has no greed, self interest, hate. The scripture that stood out to me today is to what it really means to love your neighbor. Jesus provided us such a clear example of what this means in the story of the Samaritan. Often so many times, I drive or walk by those in need. It seems today, that so many are in need and I become blind to it. The bible and its words is so great and often convicting. I thank the lord that we have it.
Joe
======= Greg:
The reading in a Psalms reminds me of the great Steven Curtis Chapman tune “God is God”
Greg
======= Bob:
Deuteronomy: So, what are we to do with all of these Old Testamant Laws? Interpreting and applying them is quite a challenge. Some are apodictic or non negotiable so to speak. These are like the 10 commandments. Most are casuistic, dependent on a particular situation but it still becomes quite a job to make the hermeneutical meaning apply to us today. I think the key is to read the law through the eyes of Jesus. His law comes from his teaching and work of atonement. It goes much deeper and looks at the heart of the individual. Case in point is to look at another woman lustfully is to commit adultery. This means we need to ascertain the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law.
Bob
======= Jill:
I believe in good work ethics! Although balance is good. Raised where one doesn’t idle time. Theres many verses on that. But now I cant Although I spend time in the word and reading this blog and doing Bible Studies. ButnThank God for a day of rest!
I have a question . So people who come upon money in an easy way who don’t have to work? What’s that? How about someone who choses not to work so they live off unemployment? I know God is the judge but somewhere there has to be a balance. I know I would rather work for all the reasons you gave Mike. They were excellent points.
Thank God I can work and get out to share with others and use all those gifts he has given me. All we do is for the glory of God!
Jill
======= Jane:
Proverbs 12:14 really spoke to Me. I
Love working! I clean houses and work in the
Kitchen at a school. Don’t make much there but enjoy the social part and keeping busy and interaction with others! God doesn’t want us to idle time. He also wants us to work as if we are working for him. Doesn’t matter what you do. In Gods eyes it’s huge. Cleaning toilets, salesman. Farmer. Nurse. Minister we are all significant to Him!
Jane
======== Dee:
65 glorious verses of Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19
Ch 23:1-“He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not the enter into the congregation of the Lord.” I have many unanswered questions when reading the Bible; however, I usually get revealed to me as I keep reading. However, looking at this verse first, I realized these were my thoughts.
–I understand that to enter or be sacrificed, there must be no blemish or defect-however, just to enter the congregation-his privy member off his private part? Or right finger or what?
Then Ch 23:2 gave some insight: bastard shall not enter. This is for non-covenant children born in sin or not in covenant at the time.
-This was probably established because many Israelites were going against the Jewish custom and marrying outside their family and outside their religion.
Chapter 24:1-4
“When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it comes to pass that she find no favor in his eyes because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.
2″And when she leaves his house, she may go and be another man’s wife.
3″And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sends her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;
4″Her former husband, which sent her away, may not retake her to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is an abomination before the Lord: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
–my commentary–don’t judge please.. just pondering thoughts
-This was always strange to me: man can despise a wife-send her away for a bill of divorce, she remarries, and if he divorces or dies, she can’t remarry the first husband again, because she was defiled, but wasn’t the 1st her husband in the 1st place-and I know she has been with the other husband-what if it wasn’t her fault or there was no guilt on her part-how is it okay for a new husband to marry even though she is defiled by husband 1 and 2, but going back to original husband is? I’m probably going too deep, however, I never would want to do anything that is an abomination unto the Lord, so I would steer clear, and to tell you the truth, if my former husband dismissed me due to a detestable thing (which could be a mole, or sterile, or whatever), I wouldn’t want to go back there in the first place anyway.. just a little too Jerry Springer for me! haha
Chapter 24, verse 16, explains that fathers’ guilt should not be passed on to their children, and likewise, children’s guilt should not be used to punish their parents. Amen!
Luke 10:13
Just a thought-to be spoken over my life like these disciples were about whom he was and comin gin whose name-v16: He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
I like to look up who the authors are in Psalms.
For instance, who is Altaschith? this means “Do not destroy”
This is a Psalm or Song of Asaph(A prominent Levite singer)
Twice in verse one: “Give thanks.”
v6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south-God is the judge
putteth down one setteth up another
Proverbs 12:12: The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
The just shall come out of trouble.
v14: People get many good benefits (things) by the words they say, the work of their hands; also gives them many benefits.
Dee
======= Ramona:
Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19
God is a God of order, decency, decorum and respect, a true gentleman through and through. How He is is how we are to treat others, with dignity, integrity and respect whether poor, widowed, orphaned or foreign. None is to be taken advantage of even the people who do not look like you or me. Now, this God I like. No, that is not right, this is a God I can love.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
Leave a Reply