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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for November 2023
December 1, 2023
Deuteronomy 13:14 – Then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently, and behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you.
Thought: In the previous two verses, the Lord notes that it was reported that men of Belial have led a city away from God to serve false gods. In this verse, He authorizes a thorough and honest investigation to take place. Assertions and accusations can be false. Thus, God tells His people to “inquire,” “make search,” and “ask diligently.” Before a city was convicted, God wanted evidence of wrong doing. If the evidence was conclusive regarding the sin, then punishment was warranted.
Isaiah 11:3-4
December 2, 2023
Deuteronomy 13:15, 16 – Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword. And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shall burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the Lord thy God: and it shall be a heap for ever; it shall not. be built again.
Thought: There are some sins that are so heinous that they deserve severe punishment. Encouraging others to go after false gods was one of those sins. When a city involved itself in idolatry, it was to be destroyed. The inhabitants of the city were to be killed. The cattle were to be slain. All of the spoil within the city was to be burned. Notice the two words, “every whit.” That city was not ever to be rebuilt. All of this was done “for the Lord thy God.” His name alone was to be honored in Israel.
Exodus 22:20
December 3, 2023
Deuteronomy 13:17 – And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the Lord may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers.
Thought: The false gods of the Canaanites were dangerous to Israel. God wanted them completely removed from the Promised Land. Too, he wanted all those who would lead the nation into idolatry removed from the land. If Israel would destroy the idolatrous cities and slay those who practiced idolatry, God would bless them. God would give Israel three things: mercy, compassion, and multiplication. If they failed to remove the idolatry, they would face the fierceness of His anger.
Joshua 6:18
December 4, 2023
Deuteronomy 3:18 – When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the Lord thy God.
Thought: Moses continues to exhort Israel to “hearken to the voice of the Lord,” and “to keep all his commandments.” Some might wonder why this needs to be done. Israel was to do these things because they involved “that which is right.” Often man does what he believes to be right or what he feels to be right. These often prove to be ways that are terribly wrong. Doing what God authorizes, however, is always right. The reason is because His commands spring from His righteous nature.
Psalm 19:8
December 5, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:1, 2 – Ye are the children of the Lord your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
Thought: When God called Israel to enter into a covenant with Him, He was calling them to leave heathenism behind. He wanted them to be holy. A holy nation is pure, separate, and used for a special purpose for God. In the Law of Moses, God often clearly legislated on the things Israel could do and could not do. Here, God forbids two heathen practices: cutting themselves and baldness between the eyes. God’s people were His treasure and had to be different. The same is true for His people today.
I Peter 2:9
December 6, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:3 – Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.
Thought: God called Israel to be to be a holy nation. Part of the definition of holy is separate. He wanted them to be separate from the idolatrous nations in the Promised Land. Israel’s diet would be one thing that would separate them. The heathen nations ate all kinds of food. Some were unhealthy. Some were related to their idolatrous practices. God, therefore, exhorted Israel not to eat any abominable thing. He would define these forbidden foods so they could comply with His will.
Leviticus 20:25-26
December 7, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:4, 5, 6 – These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, the hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois. And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.
Thought: God wanted Israel to be a holy nation. He did not want them to be aligned with the heathen nations in the land of Canaan. One of the avenues of holiness God gave to Israel involved their dietary laws. In this verse, God does two things. He first gives a list of specific animals that could be eaten. Second, He gave the Israelites broad guidelines to follow when selecting animals that could be eaten. God still authorizes by specific authority and general authority today. His authority is to be obeyed.
Leviticus 11:2-3
December 8, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:7, 8 – Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you. And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.
Thought: Not only did God tell Israel which animals they could eat, He also informed them of the animals that they could not eat because they were unclean. He listed some of the animal specifically. Others were condemned by the principles God set forth. God does not want man to sin. He tell us what to do and what not to do. Sadly, man often thinks what God commands to be done is evil and what God forbids is good. He does this to his own destruction. The obedient, however, are blessed.
Acts 10:11-14
December 9, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:9, 10 – These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat: and whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.
Thought: For a Southerner this verse is difficult to digest. Catfish could not be part of the Israelite’s diet because it was unclean. A catfish does not have scales. God was concerned about every aspect of the Jews’ food choices. Remember, God wanted His people to remain holy, that is, separate from all of the other nations. The line of demarcation was distinct. Not only were they to be a light to the world, they were also the type of God’s people to come. God wants His nation to be holy as He is holy.
Leviticus 11:9-12
December 10, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:11 – Of all clean birds ye shall eat.
Thought: The Lord now turns His attention to the birds that were forbidden as food and the fowl that could be eaten. God does not leave any stone unturned. He goes out of His way to make His law clear to His people. God wants His people to be holy. Too, He wants them to succeed at being holy. He does this through clear instructions. Sadly, even when God is very clear, man has a way of clouding the issue. Dear readers, God covers His bases. It is up to us to understand His will in all areas of life.
I Thessalonians 4:7
December 11, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 17, 18 – But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, and the glede, and the kit, and the vulture after his kind, and every raven after his kind, and the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckoo, and the hawk after his kind, the little owl, and the great owl, and the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant, and the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
Thought: There are two main thoughts that come to mind as one reads this list of birds. First, the creation of God involves a vastness that man cannot comprehend. God did not just create one or two types of birds. He created hundreds of different kinds of birds. God loves uniqueness, beauty, and diversity within His creation. Second, God was concerned about Israel’s well-being. He gave a detailed list of unclean birds Israel was not to eat. Truly, God loves His creation, especially man.
Genesis 1:20-23
December 12, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:19 – And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.
Thought: While focused upon things that fly, God turns his attention to insects that fly. It appears that all insects that fly are forbidden in this text. However, previously, the Lord did authorize for some insects to be eaten: the locust, the bald locust, the beetle, and the grasshopper (See Lev. 20:22). Again, God is concerned about the holiness of His people. His dietary laws are very thorough. In a world wherein God’s people seem to enjoy being more like the world, laws like this seem strict and archaic.
Leviticus 11:20-23
December 13, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:20 – But of all clean fowls ye may eat.
Thought: There are some people who view God as one who is prohibitive in nature. In other words, they feel God is constantly telling individuals: “Thou shalt not.” This, however, is not the case. Yes, there were many birds that the Israelites could not eat. “But of all clean fowls ye may eat.” God takes sinful and harmful things away from mankind. Then, He provides healthy and holy things for man’s benefit. The problem is that man yearns for the sinful. If he can’t have his sin, he gets angry with God.
Galatians 5:19-23
December 14, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:21 – Ye shall not eat any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk.
Thought: The Lord gives two prohibitions to the Israelites in this verse. They could not eat any thing that had died of itself, that is, that died a natural death. Too, they were not allowed to boil “a kid” in his mother’s milk. We read some prohibitions God commands and sometimes wonder: “Why?” We must keep in mind that God is holy. This holy God wanted His people to be holy. To make them holy, He had to separate them from those around them. God’s laws would make them a distinct people.
Leviticus 22:8-9
December 15, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:22 – Thou shalt tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
Thought: Many Jews supported their families by farming. The crops fed their families. Too, those crops could be sold to provide an income for other needs of the home. In the Spring, they would plant their seeds. By the Fall, the harvest would come forth. When the harvest yielded its abundance, the Jews were not to forget God. “Thou shalt tithe all the increase of thy seed.” The Jews were to render ten percent of their increase to God. The seed, the soil, the rain, and the sunshine came from God.
Leviticus 27:30
December 16, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:23 – And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.
Thought: One of the most important qualities of the faithful is their fear of the Lord. This fear is defined as “awe, respect, and reverence” for God. The person who fears God can mature that fear in two ways. The first way to mature one’s fear of God is through obedience. Notice Israel was to obey God by eating of their tithes in the place where the Lord choose to put His name. Second, individuals mature their fear of God though fellowship with God. His presence causes one to adore Him more.
Psalm 87:1-3
December 17, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:24, 25 – And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy God hath blessed thee: then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose.
Thought: The Israelites were supposed to offer their tithes in the place selected by God. This meant that some of who lived far away would have to carry their tithes long distances. Since, God is understanding and compassionate, He gave them a way to bring their tithes conveniently. “…then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose.” NOTE: This was God’s authorization and not man’s origination.
Numbers 9:9-11
December 18, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:26 – And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household.
Thought: An Israelite could turn his tithes into money if he had to travel a long distance to the place of worship. Once he reached the place the Lord chose to put His name there, he could purchase “whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord.” This authorized option made it easier for the worshipper to bring his tithes and offer them unto the Lord. Many picture God as a harsh taskmaster. He is not. He is kind and considerate and understands man’s hardships.
Ezra 7:13-18
December 19, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:27 – And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
Thought: The Levites were chosen by God to be the priestly tribe. They were settled in forty-eight different Levitical cities in Canaan. They did not have a major portion of land that was granted to them. Instead, they relied upon their fellow Jews to assist them. This was done through the tithes. God exhorts the Jews to “not forsake him.” When others depend upon us, sometimes it is easy to make excuses as to why we cannot continue our assistance. God warned Israel not to do this to the Levites.
Galatians 6:6
December 20, 2023
Deuteronomy 14:28, 29 – At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates. And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
Thought: Some have referred to this tithe as the “third year” tithe. Others have labelled it the “poor tithe.” It was used to support those who were dependent upon others for their survival. The Levites, the strangers, the fatherless, and the widows fell into this classification. God has a heart for those who are in need. He wants His people to act out of compassion for these individuals so they can “eat and be satisfied.” He issues this command with a promise to bless Israel if they will care for the needy.
Deuteronomy 26:12-13
December 21, 2023
Deuteronomy 15:1, 2 – At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth aught unto his neighbor shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, or of his brother; because it is called the Lord’s release.
Thought: Again, we learn of the Lord’s concern for those facing hardships. Every seven years, the Lord authorized a release of debt paid to the creditor. Some believe that it was a full release of the debt. Others believe that it was just a release of payments for this particular year. A debtor is a slave to the lender. The debtor must honor the terms of the loan. For some, making payments is the only way they are able to afford even the necessities of life. This release gave some comfort to the debtor.
Proverbs 22:7
December 22, 2023
Deuteronomy 15:3 – Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release.
Thought: God has always drawn lines of distinction between His people and those who are not in a covenant relationship with him. There are blessings He provides to His children that He does not give to those called “strangers.” In the seventh year, the Lord did not allow the creditors among the children of Israel to collect the funds from those who owed them money if they were Israelites. But, “of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again.” God blesses His people. The stranger misses out on much.
Galatians 6:10
December 23, 2023
Deuteronomy 15:4 – Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the Lord shall greatly bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it.
Thought: As long as Israel had poor individuals who often had to rely on others through debt, they were release them from payments during the seventh year. If Israel complied with this mandate, they were promised that “the Lord shall greatly bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it.” It is difficult for us to believe that we will be blessed when we sacrifice things for others. How does one lose yet gain? The gain comes through God’s bountiful provisions.
Proverbs 11:24-25
December 24, 2023
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.
Thought: Two phrases in this verse need to be given careful consideration by all. The first is composed of two words, “carefully hearken.” These two words are just one word in the Hebrew text. The words mean “to hear intelligently, to hear with interest, to hear with an intent to obey.” The second phrase is: “to do all.” The little word “all” means “the whole quantity or amount.” In other words, nothing is to be left out. The Jews were to “carefully obey” all of God’s commands. We should too.
Ephesians 5:15-17
December 25, 2023
Deuteronomy 15:6 – For the Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend to many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.
Thought: God intended for the nation of Israel to be great and powerful. He intended for Israel to be a world power. This, however, could not be done if Israel became a debtor to other nations. A borrower is always a servant to the lender. Too, it would not be done if Israel allowed another nation to reign over her. This can happen even though another nation has not taken the country by force. If a nation is not self-sufficient and relies on other nations for important items, they are subject of that foreign nation.
I Kings 4 :21
December 26, 2023
Deuteronomy 15:7, 8 – If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
Thought: The Lord warns Israel about developing a hard heart toward their poor brethren. A hard heart leads to a closed hand. A closed hand leads to continued suffering on the part of the poor. Hard hearts are easy to develop. The moment a person is scammed by a “poor” person, the heart is hardened toward all others. The moment one comes in contact with a “poor” person who should be working to support himself, the heart is hardened. Let’s pray for a soft heart that will help the poor.
Proverbs 21:23
December 27, 2023
Deuteronomy 15:9 – Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart saying, The seventh year, the year of release it at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him naught; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
Thought: The year of release was every seventh year. That year, the debtors did not have to make their loan payments. Creditors who assisted the poor might be tempted to withhold a loan as the seventh year approached. The Lord warned against such wicked thinking. Such actions would cause the poor to cry unto the Lord about his plight. God would take note of the transgression of His will. Israel needed to help their brethren even when they had to sacrifice themselves.
James 5:4
December 28, 2023
Deuteronomy 15:10 – Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
Thought: There are times when we must fight negative, godless feelings that enter into our hearts. It is not easy. The best way to overcome them is to remember that one of our tasks in life is to be like God. When Israel gave to the poor, their hearts were not to be grieved as they sacrificed. Instead, there should have been joy therein. If they could overcome their negativity, God promised to bless them in all their works. God always calls upon us as His children to be better versions our ourselves.
II Corinthians 9:5-7
December 29, 2023
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 thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
Thought: It is easy to develop an evil attitude toward the poor. One of the ways to overcome a negative attitude is to remember a truth. “For the poor shall never cease out of the land.” The poor will always be among us. There will always be a poor class of people who will stand in need of others to assist them. Instead of holding back from them, we should open our hands wide “unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy.” Seldom does a person have regrets from being extremely benevolent.
II Corinthians 8:1-5
December 30, 2023
Deuteronomy 15:12 – And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free.
Thought: Every seventh year in Israel was a year of release. This was not just a title placed on that year. The action of release took place in several realms. Slavery was practiced in those days. Sometimes, individuals were taken as slaves in order to fulfill a debt that had not been paid. The year of release gave freedom to all of the Israelites who were enslaved to their brethren. Slaves were given the freedom to start over again. The release was reminiscent of Israel’s release from the land of Egypt.
Exodus 21:2-3
December 31, 2023
Deuteronomy 15:13, 14 – And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress, wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
Thought: Not only was a Hebrew slave to be released in the seventh year, he was also to be supplied well when he was sent away. Supplies were to be given to him from the owner’s flock, threshing floor, and winepress. This could have been a very difficult command to obey. This is why God reminds the slave’s owner that the things he possessed had been given to him by God. Man has a tendency to forget that we are not the owner of this world’s goods. We are stewards and should do as God directs.
Proverbs 3:27-28
Read devotionals for January 2024