Wes gave a wise answer on Christmas. Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19, Ecclesiastes 7:7, may The HOLY Spirit teach us. John 14:26
I love to celebrate Christmas, I really enjoy the lights, the focus on our Savior. The generosity in the season. Christmas is a time of year, people remember more their fellow man, needs & wants of others. Christmas time reminds us of the joys of giving & putting smiles on others faces, teaching by love & kindnesses. Surprising a person with anonymous unexpected gifts, giving hope to people in desperation, food, clothing, volunteering, etc. warms their hearts, body & soul & sometimes gives them hope for a better ' tomorrow '. Christmas is the time of year people are more willing to receive from a Christian.....
We as Believers have an open door at Christmas unlike any other time of the year, to show the World who Jesus is, who the Church is.
When we remember those most "forgotten by others" showing them, they are not forgotten by GOD, it's amazing how even those around them are affected.
This Christmas season we really have a moment to help comfort, our nations with love, giving hope through the WORD, to poor in spirit & helping heal wounds. There is much we can give this year, for those in need. I pray GOD lead us even now, to start the giving season early. Romans 6:23, 2Corinthians 1:4, Proverbs 15:23,
Hi Doug If a man or woman was sold to a another hebrew within the tribe and served three years and stayed seven then the law was that he or she could go free but if that servant was loved and respected by the owner and wanted to be there permanently they were given the mark of a bondservant or slave. They were marked out with an aul through the ear as being owned but not by force. The marked person could leave anytime they wanted but why would because you were loved and all needs were met by your owner. In the epistles the Apostle paul mentions in Philippians 3:14 press toward the mark of the High calling of God in Christ Jesus. You sold out to the one who loves you and takes care of your every need, Paul was sold out he trusted that God in Christ Jesus would take care of every need in all situations and conditions.
The referenced scripture regards the piercing of the ear of a Hebrew slave that has decided to remain with their master after serving 6 years of service.
Additional scripture:
Exodus 21:1-6
1Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. 2If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. 3If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. 5And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: 6Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
They lived a very different lifestyle than we do today - thank God!
Much to digest here. Many things can be hard to put into play because we do not remember that everything we have is given to us by God Himself. Therefore if we are willing to be blessed and a blessing for as long as we sojourn on this earth; God is well within His rights to give us precepts, directions, and responsibilities as land owners, entrepenuaers, and any one who has been blessed in any fashion. These instructions are the forerunner of severance pay, early retirement, medical disability, welfare, soup kitchens etc. Notice that none of these areas of assistance for the public welfare was given to the government. It has always been the responsibility of individuals or the people to provide for the needs of others.
Let us learn to keep the whole counsel of God not just parts of it. The complete Bible not just some of the Bible.
Deuteronomy 15:19-23, speaks of the animals to be offered in sacrifice to God. The animal had to be the 'firstling' of the flock/herd, they were not to be put to work & after the sacrifice, they were to be eaten before the Lord. However, if that animal had any blemish or impediment, then it could not be sacrificed as only a pure offering was acceptable. This of course, speaks to us that Jesus was God's pure offering for the sins of the world & not at all like man's provision of an offering which showed contrition for his sins.
So any blemished animal should not be offered in sacrifice, but (in verse 22), it could still be eaten by both the clean & unclean person in their homes (this signifies whether a person was afflicted with disease or discharge, or for a woman after giving birth, etc.). All people could eat of a blemished animal, even of those that couldn't be sacrificed, like the roebuck or deer which are unclean animals. However, the blood of the animals couldn't be consumed, as some pagans were want to do with their food.
The Book of Leviticus gives an extensive dealing with this subject of sacrifice, the different animals that can or cannot be used & the condition of the priests & people who can participate in it.
Deuteronomy 4:13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded [you to perform], even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.
Deuteronomy 6:17 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
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;
Deuteronomy 13:4 Ye [shall walk] after the LORD your God, and fear him, and [keep] his commandments, and [obey] his voice, and ye [shall] serve him, and cleave unto him.
2 Chronicles 31:21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, [he did it with all his heart, and prospered.]
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with [them that love him and keep his commandments] to a thousand generations;
Deuteronomy 11:1 Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and [keep] his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, [alway.]
Deuteronomy 15:5 [Only] if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to [observe to do all] these commandments which I command thee this day.
Deuteronomy 27:10 Thou shalt therefore [obey] the voice of the LORD thy God, [and do] his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
Deuteronomy 30:8 And thou shalt return and [obey] the voice of the LORD, [and do all] his commandments which I command thee this day.
1 Kings 8:58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, [to walk in all his ways], [and to keep] his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
These are just a few of the scriptures [commanding us to keep them.]
@Irene123 even verse 11 says For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. We will always have poor among us.
This chapter is teaching about being kind-hearted and liberal. As God blesses us financially or otherwise we should help others who are in need among us. Prov. 25 'The liberal soul shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered also himself'.
The 7-year release is a precursor of an aspect of the Lord's prayer- forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. What a marvelous world it would be if we abide by this injunction.
V.4 - save when there are no more poor among you ..... "; this must be where the 'worldly' Christians get the idea they can save the world and relieve all poverty. They neglect Matt. 26:11. These Christians are what are known as 'Social Gospel' Christians.
Evangelist Chatauna Robinson on 1 Timothy 2 - 10 years ago
Hello Akusa: You are correct we should pray for our leaders both spiritual and political. Our leaders should be following the word of God. When it comes to our political leaders they should be doing all they can for the poor, Deuteronomy 15: 11 "For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto they brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in they land. However, the Republicans want to cut everything especially for the minorities and women 's rights. It is not the man or woman of God that judges, but it is God who judges through his word. If a person is found in sin according to God 's word, then that person is in sin.
I thought this was a great scripture to keep in mind. Jehovah God encourages helping those who are poor and in need. This helps me to be more aware of the situation of others. I would like to make it a goal to to be more giving to those in need.
I see the question being asked if this passage of Scripture applies to us in our time. The answer is yes and no. Jesus came to fulfil the law. We must now look at the Old Testament in Spiritual eyes. Yes I eat bacon, BUT I must separate myself from spiritual swine and unclean things. It’s no longer a physical issue it’s a heart thing.
@Stephenderaphael,
God has no respect for man’s goodness or man’s works. That man has to be a born again Christian or he will end up in hell for eternity!
@Rachel, Deuteronomy 15 is not for us to apply, it was meant for the Israelites, Romans 15:4. However aspects stressed in that chapter can benefit us and give us light in such issues. God bless you.
I love to celebrate Christmas, I really enjoy the lights, the focus on our Savior. The generosity in the season. Christmas is a time of year, people remember more their fellow man, needs & wants of others. Christmas time reminds us of the joys of giving & putting smiles on others faces, teaching by love & kindnesses. Surprising a person with anonymous unexpected gifts, giving hope to people in desperation, food, clothing, volunteering, etc. warms their hearts, body & soul & sometimes gives them hope for a better ' tomorrow '. Christmas is the time of year people are more willing to receive from a Christian.....
We as Believers have an open door at Christmas unlike any other time of the year, to show the World who Jesus is, who the Church is.
When we remember those most "forgotten by others" showing them, they are not forgotten by GOD, it's amazing how even those around them are affected.
Deuteronomy 15:7, Job 5:16, Proverbs 19:4, Psalms 69:33, Proverbs 14:21, 2Corinthians 9:9, Psalms 68:10, Galatians 2:10, Romans 15:26, Psalms 40:17, Proverbs 22:2, Psalms 41:1, Luke 14:13, Psalms 74:21, Proverbs 29:7, Proverbs 28:27, Psalms 112:9, Psalms 82:3, Daniel 4:27, Proverbs 21:13, Proverbs 31:10,20, context Proverbs 31, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 19:7, Luke 4:18, Matthew 11:5, Mark 10:21,
Proverbs 19:6, Esther 9:22, James 1:27,
This Christmas season we really have a moment to help comfort, our nations with love, giving hope through the WORD, to poor in spirit & helping heal wounds. There is much we can give this year, for those in need. I pray GOD lead us even now, to start the giving season early. Romans 6:23, 2Corinthians 1:4, Proverbs 15:23,
Psalms 31:24, Ecclesiastes 3:1,
Mark 10:42-45, 1Timothy 3:1-13, 1Timothy 5:17-22, Hebrews 13:7,17,24, 1Corinthians 4,
Exodus 18:13-26, John 7:24, Deuteronomy 1:16,18, 1Corinthians 11:31, Isaiah 3:4,12, Isaiah 14:2, Isaiah 32:1, Deuteronomy 15:5-18,
James 1:5,
Hopefully these are helpful
Proverbs 15:25,= Jeremiah 39:10, Jeremiah 52:16, Proverbs 21:13,
Deuteronomy 15:9, = Jeremiah 34:8-22,
Hopefully these are helpful
* Leviticus 19:15, Amos 2:6-7, Amos 5:12, Amos 8:4, Habakkuk 3:14,
Scriptures about the poor: Exodus 22:25, Exodus 23:1-11, Leviticus 19:10, Leviticus 23:22, Deuteronomy 24:14,15,
Job 29:11-17, Job 30:25, Job 31:13-40, Job 34:19-28,
Leviticus 25:25-55, Deuteronomy 15:1-15,
1Samuel 2:7-8, Job 24, Matthew 19:21,
Psalms 9:18, Psalms 12:5, Psalms 14:6,
Galatians 2:10, Zechariah 7:10, Luke 14:12-14, may want to keep reading Luke 14,
Matthew 5:3, Luke 6:20,
Hopefully these are helpful
The referenced scripture regards the piercing of the ear of a Hebrew slave that has decided to remain with their master after serving 6 years of service.
Additional scripture:
Exodus 21:1-6
1Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. 2If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. 3If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. 5And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: 6Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
They lived a very different lifestyle than we do today - thank God!
God Bless
Let us learn to keep the whole counsel of God not just parts of it. The complete Bible not just some of the Bible.
So any blemished animal should not be offered in sacrifice, but (in verse 22), it could still be eaten by both the clean & unclean person in their homes (this signifies whether a person was afflicted with disease or discharge, or for a woman after giving birth, etc.). All people could eat of a blemished animal, even of those that couldn't be sacrificed, like the roebuck or deer which are unclean animals. However, the blood of the animals couldn't be consumed, as some pagans were want to do with their food.
The Book of Leviticus gives an extensive dealing with this subject of sacrifice, the different animals that can or cannot be used & the condition of the priests & people who can participate in it.
Deuteronomy 4:13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded [you to perform], even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.
Deuteronomy 6:17 | View whole chapter | See verse in context
Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
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;
Deuteronomy 13:4 Ye [shall walk] after the LORD your God, and fear him, and [keep] his commandments, and [obey] his voice, and ye [shall] serve him, and cleave unto him.
2 Chronicles 31:21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, [he did it with all his heart, and prospered.]
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with [them that love him and keep his commandments] to a thousand generations;
Deuteronomy 11:1 Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and [keep] his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, [alway.]
Deuteronomy 15:5 [Only] if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to [observe to do all] these commandments which I command thee this day.
Deuteronomy 27:10 Thou shalt therefore [obey] the voice of the LORD thy God, [and do] his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
Deuteronomy 30:8 And thou shalt return and [obey] the voice of the LORD, [and do all] his commandments which I command thee this day.
1 Kings 8:58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, [to walk in all his ways], [and to keep] his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
These are just a few of the scriptures [commanding us to keep them.]
God has no respect for man’s goodness or man’s works. That man has to be a born again Christian or he will end up in hell for eternity!
Deuteronomy 15 is not for us to apply, it was meant for the Israelites, Romans 15:4. However aspects stressed in that chapter can benefit us and give us light in such issues. God bless you.