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Deuteronomy 14:1-2, 9-11, 19-21, 22-23; 15:7-11
By Melleen Moore
How are we known? How will we be remembered? What kind of a life style do we lead? On any given day, our answer to similar questions may vary. As of this writing, a coach is being recognized for leading his teams in winning 500 basketball games. Wow! He gave credit to the young men whom he had coached. Who do we give credit for who we are and how we are known? The children of Israel had been following Moses’ leadership for approximately 40 years. Now Moses addresses his followers on how they were to live as God’s holy people in a right relationship with Him upon entering Canaan.
Moses had seen the Israelites demonstrate amazing leadership and strength through the desert and in conquering the lands on the east side of the Jordan. However, he had also seen traits of rebellion and selfish desires, as well. Issuing a reminder of who the people in this nation of Israel were, God gave directions on maintaining their appearance as a nation proud of its heritage in being obedient to its God. They were to look like and act like God’s people. He had chosen them to be His very “own possession out of all the people on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 14:2, HCSB). There were two specific warnings to the Israelites — refrain from cutting the body and refrain from shaving a bald place in their hair. These were common customs to be seen in the Canaanite people. Maintaining a Godly worldview meant refusing to follow the Canaanite culture — be different — revealing the holy character of their holy God. They would refuse to adopt pagan attitudes, actions and rituals.
The Children of Israel had been looking forward to the land flowing with milk and honey and its abundant food supply. Now God gave instructions on appropriate foods so as to portray a clean lifestyle. The scripture groups approved fish with the fins and scales. Clean birds are approved with an extensive list of birds banned and labeled unclean. Mammals were approved with split cloven hooves and ones that chewed their cud. The prohibition of a young goat boiled in its’ mother’s milk was possible related to a similar practice of the Canaanites. Keeping the dietary guidelines meant healthy habits as well as living holy according to their God.
The Children of Israel were learning to make wise choices in a healthy lifestyle as well as learning about stewardship. Neither of these lessons was necessary before entering Canaan as manna was their diet and they were dependent upon God for everything. With crossing into Canaan, all that would change. They would be responsible for their own food and would be producing a crop as well as herds of livestock. God expected a tithe to be brought before the Lord. Moses made it very plain of God’s expectation — “Each year you are to set aside a tenth of all the produce grown in your fields” (Deuteronomy 14:22, HCSB). The first born of the livestock and flocks were to be presented to the Lord, as well. The credit for the entire harvest and all the increase in the livestock belonged to God. The command to tithe gave recognition of the blessings of God showing loyalty and love acknowledging the nearness of their God.
Giving with joy and thanksgiving showed the attitude of compassion and love. God’s command was to be giving towards fellow Israelites in need just as it was to give to the Lord. It was God’s desire to show brotherly love towards each other without being reluctant. Moses spoke openly about the poor in the midst of the land. He gave two words of caution — avoid being hardhearted and tightfisted. The opposite of which is to “open your hand” and “freely loan enough for whatever the need” (Deuteronomy 15:8, HCSB). God knew there would always be poor people and the instruction was to care for them. He instituted a practice of debt forgiveness every seven years, warning against withholding from the poor nearing the seventh year. The poor would cry out to God finding his brother guilty. The Lord would bless those who care for the poor willingly in all they do.
Moore is a member of Macedonia Church, Petal.
