Reading
SAA Notes
Detestable ways: child sacrifice, and all occult practices, such as the use of mediums to contact the dead or to prophesy the future. What Moses says about the prophet is fulfilled in Christ. (Acts 7:37+) The eye for an eye bit is just the requirement for judges that the punishment fit the crime!
SJA Notes
* Faithful God, blessed are all who take refuge in You.
“A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed.”
These elements of law and command glimmer with reminders of what has come before _and_ what will come after, in God’s word.
Jesus gives an example of how we can deeper our understanding of God’s word.
Jesus takes the above rule and drills down into it, in Matthew 18, establishing what we are to use in His church as our mechanism for discipline,
“But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”
This is a special link.
Generally we would think of the witness rule in judgement as related to _failure_ to keep the law.
Here though Jesus says that in the process of church discipline you take people to witness the response of the one who refuses to listen.
This speaks to the biblical structure of leadership and law observance within our church governance.
We should not be able to bring accusations to any court of the church without first having followed this process.
Note that there is mercy at each step before escalation (in Jesus’ expounding). Meet one-on-one. Then in a small number. Then the local church body.
At each point the purpose and hope is repentance rather than punishment.
Let us be as the Lord is,
“The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
* Dear God Above,
Please write Your word on our hearts today that we might not sin against You.
Please plant Your word deep down in us and grow it, that we would be good soil and bear much fruit.
Please open the eyes and ears of our hearts to what You are saying to us today.
Amen.