Day 7: Cover of rule
Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand (Deuteronomy 15:9 - NLT).
Heavenly Father, You are the God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change (Psalm 55:19). You have no timeline or process that separates "the God of the Old Testament" from "the God of the New Testament." You have clearly said of Yourself, “I the Lord do not change" (Malachi 3:6).The Lord Jesus was very clear:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17).
But we know that portions of Your word provided civil, political, and religious laws and practices specific to the governance of the nation You had called and built. Yet, even in these, You show Your unfolding purpose and plan for human redemption. You show Your heart, You show Your ways, You show Your unchanging principles.
So although You may not require us to have the specific economic structures You set up for Your fledgling nation—such as a year for canceling debts—the goal, the purpose and the spirit of the economic and societal laws You gave Your people are still relevant, sound, solid, and beneficial, and are consistent with the precepts and commands You give throughout Scripture.
Your economic principles include concern for the poor, the disempowered and the marginalized. They include safeguards against greed, exploitation and oppression. But in addition, they speak to deeper human leanings towards stinginess, meanness, and self-serving manipulation—under cover of rule.
They speak to hard hearts that manipulate law to exclude grace. They speak to callous minds that maneuver what was intended for good into evil. They speak to ruthless souls that look for limits and loopholes and legalities.
Father, our brand of devious actions and manipulations—our "by the book" coverups may not revolve around debt cancellation technicalities, but instead, around harboring unforgiveness, holding grudges, or withholding help we are able to give. Show us where we wield policy, instead of offering kindness. Change our hearts.
The Lord Jesus reproved the Pharisees various times for their self serving manipulation under cover of rule and religiosity:
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone" (Luke 11:42).
"For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother... But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother" (Mark 7:10-12).
Lord, You are a God of bounty—a God of abundance. Teach us Your generosity. Help us to guard our hearts against meanness, stinginess, and hypocrisy. The apostle James warns us that judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).
Help us not to use the cover of rule or religiosity to exact judgment or withhold mercy. Help us to live out faith sincerely and authentically (James 2:15-16).
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