The Law of blessing and prosperity – II
Background
As Israel begun their conquest of Canaan in earnest expectation of obtaining what God had promised to their forefathers, the law of Moses (part of which was Deuteronomy 28) was read in their presence. The blessing as well as the curse was for their choosing. As we know it, Israel did not experience the blessing because they were under the bondage of sin. The Holy Spirit was sent for the purpose of enabling God’s people to walk in the law and obtain the blessing. By seeking to be filled with His Spirit, God’s poeple can now fulfill the law of love and obtain the eternal blessing.
In today’s devotion, we will study the part of Moses’ Law (Exodus 20) that was read by Joshua in the presence of the people (Joshua 8:34-35). In order for man to live abundantly in God’s kingdom, he must relate lawfully with fellowmen. The second portion of the Ten Commandments relates to attitudes towards parents, faithfulness towards the spouse, the rights of fellowmen and how to deal with those who have violated us.
Exodus 20:12-17
The Ten Commandments – relating with others
5. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
The heart of this commandment is respect for those who preside over us and who have given their lives to raise us up. Our parents will grow old and become incapacitated. However, this command calls us to honor our parents with dignity and grace, not by virtue of their works alone, but by their position. They are to be honored until the last days of their lives.
6. You shall not murder.
The heart of this commandment is that one must never take revenge, for God will vindicate the righteous. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 says, “For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you.” One who has a murderous attitude is consumed with so much hatred, he disregards authority and will personally see to the destruction of his enemies as a just restitution for their sins. A murderous person has to recognize that God is in control and will vindicate him. He has to recognize that revenge is a sin that God will judge. What should we do when we are unjustly treated? The apostle Paul wrote,
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.’ But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him A drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:19-21)
Jesus set the example when He bore with ungrateful sinners and suffered on their behalf. All men are sinners and worthy of death, but if God has forgiven us, we should likewise forgive our fellow men. Forgiveness is the act of releasing someone’s debt to God and hoping for his repentance. In doing so, he also releases hatred, and the burden of executing justice (on the wrongdoer) to the Judge of all. Forgiveness does not mean exoneration, it merely frees us from taking matters into our own hands. Jesus, in a parable warned against unforgiveness, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
The heart of this commandment is really about personal sanctity and faithfulness. A person who is holy and set apart for God is also a faithful person at a human level, e.g. in a marriage relationship. This commandment warns against any person whose heart is wandering and unfaithful. An adulterous person has no regard for covenantal commitment and whose appetite for lust is never satisfied. He disrespects the boundaries and dignity of others by manipulating them. His heart is full of deceit thinking he has done no wrong. An adulterous person must come to an awareness of these dangers and recognise the evil that is standing at the door. Adultery is not as some would trivially regard as a careless mistake caused by the passion of the flesh, but an evil and deceitful condition of the heart. An adulterous person must be aware of lurking evil and deal with it by confession and by accountability to a group of mature Christians. Only by recommitting his life to God and by the blood of Jesus, can he restore himself and his marriage in sanctity and faithfulness.
8. You shall not steal.
Stealing is equivalent to cheating. Stealing often occurs when the transgressor thinks no one will know about it. Hence, he puts up a front in public while committing shameful acts in private. Stealing is actually a mentality applying to all things small and great. The heart of this commandment is honesty and integrity. A person who steals need to know that what is hidden will eventually be exposed. Jesus said,
“For there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.” (Matthew 10:26-27)
No one can escape the eyes of God and all will be judged according to their works.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Bearing false witness against your neighbor is equivalent to vilifying the reputation of others through false or exaggerated testimonies. Whether a true or false statement, if the intent is to injure or to sow discord among the community, he is considered a transgressor of this commandment. Jesus said the mouth speaks out of the heart (Matthew 12:34). On the Day of Judgment, the transgressor shall give an account of every careless word spoken (Matthew 12:36). The essence of this commandment is truthfulness and graciousness of heart and tongue. The apostle Paul taught,
29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30… 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender- hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:29-31)
We should not speak out of anger or bitterness, but only out of kindness and forgiveness.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.
This commandment warns against covetousness and envy. To covet is to have a strong desire for something that does not belongs to you. A covetous person may end up stealing his neighbor’s property, committing adultery or murder. The heart of this commandment is to live a life of thanksgiving and contentment. Jesus said,
“Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
Hence, we have to constantly remind ourselves that our greatest blessings are not found in earthly possessions but in our inheritances in heaven. Again, we could see in 1 Timothy 6:6-8,
6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
A contented person is one who is most blessed, for he is able to enjoy what he already has without worrying about what he has not.
Declaration of faith
I will honor my parents, and those who presided over me and took care of me. In every circumstance, I must never take matters into my own hands, for vengeance belongs to God and He will vindicate me. I will be faithful to my spouse and keep the sanctity of marriage. I will be honest and show moral excellence in my work and in my dealings with others. I will be gracious and truthful in all manner of speech to bring goodness and unity to the community. I will live a life of thanksgiving being contented and fulfilled with all that I possess. Amen.