April 22

Leviticus 26; Psalm 33; Ecclesiastes 9; Titus 1

Daily Catechism

QUESTION 79: WHICH IS THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT?
Answer: The eighth commandment is, “Thou shalt not steal.” Scripture: Exodus 20:15.

Leviticus 26

This chapter covers blessings and punishment with regard to Israel’s faithfulness to the Mosaic covenant where they agreed to live under covenant by the statutes of the LORD (Ex 19:5, 8, 24:3).  Fortunately the chapter also speaks of another covenant.  It speaks of the covenant made by God (unilaterally) with Abraham, which was extended necessarily to Isaac and Jacob and to all the true children of Israel (Gen 15:17-21).  If god merely expected us to live up to the law (Mosaic covenant) then we would be without hope and we would only suffer the punishments detailed in this chapter.  But thanks be to God that he remembers his covenant with Abraham that came 430 years earlier (Gal 3:17-18; Lev 26:).  It is the covenant with the forefathers that rules!  So we have a terribly contingent covenant at Sinai that requires our detailed and full obedience that is somehow supported and guaranteed by the unilateral covenant that preceded it.  In Genesis 17:4-7 God declares to Abraham that he has already accomplished and fulfilled the covenant and it is a certainty, though he rehires Abraham to "walk blamelessly before him”.  I take that God is extremely serious about the keeping of covenant and that he will surely punish the guilty law breaker, but that his promise supersedes and his mercy is given preference and he ultimately accomplishes the newer covenant in a way that respects the previous one.  He accomplishes the fulfillment of the Mosaic covenant in his children by the perfect obedience and sacrifice of their big brother, their king (Rom 8:3-4).  His obedience made him an appropriate sacrifice (John 1:29; Heb 4:15, 9:12-15).  His humanity and freedom from the stain of a sin nature made him a federal representative, like Adam (1 Cor 15:20-23, 45; Rom 5:14).  His obedience fulfilled the law’s negative requirements of righteousness (Rom 8:3-4; Phil 2:8).  His sacrifice fulfilled the law’s positive requirements to love God and love neighbor (Matt 5:17; Rom 13:8, 10; Gal 5:14).  His sacrifice fulfilled the requirement that sin be punished by death and separation from God (Rom 6:23; Is 59:2; Ezek 18:4).  Note that the covenant with the forefathers is “remembered” by God when the people repent.  Enter the Holy Spirit!  We will only find repentance when the Holy Spirit breaks through our hard and uncircumcised heart to give us new life, circumcising our hearts and giving us the gift of faith and repentance (Eph 2:8-9; Acts 11:18; 2 Tim 2:25; Ezek 36:26-27; Deut 30:6; Rom 2:28-29).  But why does the Holy Spirit choose to break in like that and grant us sight and hearing?  Enter the earliest covenant of God…the covenant of redemption whereby he determined to rescue a people before he ever created them and he determined to do this by the blood of his Son before time began (2 Tim 1:9; Eph 1:4-6; Rev 13:8; Rom 8:29-30).  Yes Abraham, you will indeed be the father of many nations, and no I will never leave you or forsake you! 

Psalm 33

The steadfast love of the LORD is our only hope and it is all the hope we could ever need!  All he does is upright and faithful.  he loves righteousness and justice (Ps 33:4-5).  But this is a huge problem!  We are unrighteous and sinful and if he is faithful to his name then we will receive due payment for our sin.  Ah!  But the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD (Ps 33:5)!  We live and breath today because of his steadfast love.  The continued existence of mankind is a testament of his loving kindness.  Truly his mercies are new every morning as the sun rises again over the wicked and the righteous (Lam 3:22-23; Matt 5:45-46).  Let us fear the LORD and honor his name because he freely chooses mercy and he chose to create us knowing that is would put his Son on the cross for the sake of love (Ps 33:8-9)!  Our God males plans and they stand forevermore…never are his plans frustrated (Ps 33:10-11).  We cannot be delivered by might or by deeds (Ps 33:15-17), but we are saved by his steadfast love toward those who fear him (Ps 33:18-19).  Therefore let our souls wait upon the LORD and be glad in him, the one in whom we trust (Ps 33:20-21)!

Ecclesiastes 9

Solomon reflects on the poor situation we are in under the curse of sin (Eccl 9:3).  The righteous and the wicked alike suffer consequences to sin in this life.  We both die.  We both suffer.  He suggest that we enjoy the blessings that we receive and that we walk uprightly before God (Eccl 9:7-9).  He prefers wisdom to weapons if he were to go into battle and he acknowledges that sin is damaging (Eccl 9:18). 

Titus 1

Paul writes a very strong pastoral letter to Titus, who seems to be overseeing some churches in and around Crete.  Paul opens his letter with a clear delineation that those who come to a saving knowledge of God are his elect, who were chosen and given promise before all time (Eph 1:4-7; 2 Tim 1:9).  He says that this knowledge of the truth accords with (or is consistent with) godliness.  He makes reference to a proper time upon which the elect are brought to salvation through hearing the word preached.  He seems to setup this theology at the outset of his letter in order to be a foundation to support what he will be telling Titus.  He then leads into directions on appointing elders (overseers) in the churches.  These are men who will lead the church and be responsible for the teaching/preaching.  These men must evidence maturity in Christ and they are to be able to rebuke others and defend the gospel and the truth of God’s Word.  These men are not to be loose and wild, but respectable and self-controlled.  They are to be knowledgeable in the Bible and able to discern theological errors.  They must have the guts to be able to call people out and to chase out the wolf.  The chapter ends with Paul telling Titus that there are many who do not low God, as evidenced by their deeds, although they claim to be believers.  He says that their works expose them and that they are detestable and unfit for any good work (like being an elder).  Paul clearly recognizes that a profession of faith and salvation are not the same thing.  He will go on in the next chapter to expound on this for us a bit.  Paul denies that cheap grace…grace that grants license is true grace.  The grace of God is powerful and transforming…if indeed it is able to save us from our sin!

Soli Deo Gloria!