Leviticus 14; Psalm 17; Proverbs 28; 2 Thessalonians 2
Daily Catechism
QUESTION 69: WHICH IS THE 5TH COMMANDMENT?
Answer: The fifth commandment is, “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God gives thee.”
Scripture: Exodus 20:12.
Leviticus 14
Here Moses writes about the regulations for how someone who is healed of their leprosy goes about becoming ceremonially clean. This person would have been living alone outside of the camp until such a time as the disease seems to be healed. Then the priest would again examine him and if the disease did seem to be healed they would begin a process as described. A sin and a guilt offering are made to atone for the healed persons sins…their inclusion back into the covenant people of God requires this.
Psalm 17
The psalmist prays to be preserved and the method of prayer is to appeal to the manner in which this rescue will be a wonderful displaying of God’s steadfast love (Psalm 17:7). A good prayer method is to appeal to God and his character and his glory and his plan and his kingdom and to make our plans and our kingdom and our desires and our glory not the point of appeal. We will be most satisfied when we are caught up in his glory, not wallowing in our feeble glory (Psalm 17:15). Let us not be so focused on the world that our satisfaction and joy and concerns are all focused upon what is seen (Psalm 17:14).
Proverbs 28
The righteous can face adversity and trouble with confidence because their Abba Father maintains the universe and nothing is outside of his control (Prov 28:1). The children of God know justice and they fight for it. There is a place for the political maneuvering and the social efforts to bring things like abortion to an end and to offer help to those who are devastated by such injustices (Prov 28:4-5). Do I strive against evil? If I stop hearing and listening to God it seems that he returns the favor (Prov 28:9). It is critical that I do not ignore my sin and that I take the time to reflect and consider my motives and attitudes and that I actually open my mouth or my thoughts in prayer and confess my sins to my God and I also need to turn from my sin rather than simply plan for the next episode (Prov 28:13-14). Taking no action to prevent me from returning to my vomit is not a turning from my sin. Serial repentance may not be repentance. Do I hate my sin? Do I seek riches or faithfulness to the Lord with my life? What message do I want my life to speak (Prov 28:20)? Is it ok to ignore every person I encounter who is in need (Prov 28:27)? Are there some who should receive some compassion and mercy from me? Am I more worried about being taken advantage of than I am worried about my possible sinning against the Lord by hiding my eyes? Which is worse? Which do I know better…the poor person’s history and situation or my heart? Can I pick up some sub-way gift cards at the super market and keep them handy? There are millions of poor people who can’t get to the boulevard with their family to show themselves to me…do I see them? Are my eyes open? Where is my treasure?
2 Thessalonians 2
Paul attacks their fears and misunderstandings here. He assures them that the second coming has not yet occurred and he uses evidence of other occurrences that must precede it. There is debate over the teaching of this chapter with regard to a rapture and the possibility that it is the Holy Spirit indwelling the church of God that is restraining the man of lawlessness right now. For certain there is coming a day when the guilty, those who remain in guilt because they do not trust in Jesus for justification, will be judged by God and they will perish. But Paul offers the Thessalonians assurance that they have been chosen by God, called by God, loved by Jesus and that the Holy Spirit is at work in them to sanctify them and prepare them as the bride of the lamb (2 Thess 2:13-14). When I walk in the truth and I am experiencing the sanctifying work of the Spirit then I am seeking after glory (Christ's) and honor (God’s) and immortality (eternal life effected in me by the Spirit and consummated at my bodily redemption) (Rom 2:6-7, Rom 8:23). Paul prays for them that they would be comforted here and now in their daily circumstances and motivated at a heart level by the God who has granted eternal comfort and hope through his grace.
Soli Deo Gloria!
