7 March 2014 - The Law (part two)

Exodus twenty one speaks about capital punishment

It is applied when there is an intentional murderous event

The same is true if someone does their parents attack

As well as if someone goes down the kidnapping track

If one sacrifices to another God, he will be destroyed

Desecrating the Sabbath one should similarly avoid

Leviticus twenty adds to the capital punishment list

Patricide, adultery, and any unnatural sexual tryst

Leviticus eleven speaks of clean and unclean food

Cud chewing animals with split hoof one can include

Anything with fins and scales is acceptable to eat

But not eagle, vulture, owl, hawk, heron, or bat meat

Flying insects without jointed legs should be detested

Likewise, snakes and lizards should not be ingested

God said “do not make yourselves unclean”

“Be holy, because I am holy” is then seen

Deuteronomy sixteen lists three festivals to celebrate

The Passover of the Lord is the most important date

In the Feast of Weeks, an offering should always be made

After threshing, the Feast of Tabernacles should not be delayed

And “no man should appear before the Lord empty-handed”

With gifts proportionate to God’s blessings, it is commanded

Women’s rights are discussed in Exodus twenty one

[One should remember that this is how things were done]

If a woman servant does not please the master

He must let her be redeemed to avoid disaster

Daughters-in-law should be given daughters’ rights

If not treated well, wives are free to go without fights

In the case of when a man dies without a son

His widow must marry his brother to have one

In this way there will not be any concern or doubt

That the dead brother’s name will be blotted out

6 March 2014 - The Law (part one)

Deuteronomy six says “The Lord our God, the Lord is one”

So to love God with all heart, soul, and strength as did His Son

The commandments God gave are to taken upon each heart

To their children and all the time, the people are to impart

“Tie them as symbols…and bind them on your foreheads”

“Write them on…doorframes…and on…gates” and sheds

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge, per Leviticus nineteen

“But love your neighbor as yourself”, as should be routine

Jesus referred to both commandments in Matthew twenty two

Saying “all the Law…hang[s] on these two”, in His perfect view

“Do not take advantage of a widow”, per Exodus twenty two

For God “will certainly hear their cry” and be angered if you do

When God’s anger is aroused, He “will kill you with the sword”

The resulting impact on your family should not be ignored

In regards widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor

People are to help them, per Deuteronomy twenty four

If people consistently follow the spirit of God’s commands

So “God may bless [them] in all the work of [their] hands”

Per James one, “religion that God…accepts as…faultless”

Is simply “to look after orphans and widows in their distress”

If a man steals an animal, per Exodus twenty two

Paying back four or five more is what he must do

“If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies”

“The defender is not guilty of murder” unless it is after sunrise

“A thief must certainly make restitution” for what he has done

Or sold to pay for the theft, if assets or money he has none

Anyone whose cattle grazes on another’s field or starts a fire

Per the passage, complete restitution is God does require

Exodus twenty one addresses one causing serious injury

“Life for life, eye for eye,…wound for wound” we do see

On the same topic of restitution, per Leviticus twenty four

The concept of “life for life” is discussed some more

But Jesus turned this law around, in Matthew chapter five

Saying to turn the other cheek, as He did when He was alive

Hence, “if someone forces you to go one mile”

“Go with him two miles” and do so with a smile

And “give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away”

“From the one who wants to borrow from you” He did say

4 March 2014 - The Ten Commandments (part two of two)

The sixth was “You shall not murder”, per verse thirteen

For man was made by God, in Genesis nine it is seen

Jesus took this commandment further in Matthew five

The same judgment holds true if anger should arrive

First John chapter three provides more explanation

“We should love one another”, not seek retaliation

For “anyone who does not love remains in death”

For hatred and murder result in no eternal breath

“We know what love is” because of Jesus’ sacrifice

To lay down our lives for others was John’s advice

The seventh was “You shall not commit adultery”

Proverbs five says that with God there is no mystery

For “the evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him”

“The cords of his sin” serve to constrain every limb

As such, “he will die for lack of discipline”

“Led astray by his own great folly” and sin

In Matthew five, Jesus said adultery can be in one’s heart

Lusting for others causes us from His path to depart

And if an eye or a hand is the cause of not obeying

“Cut it off and throw it away” was the famous saying

“It is better … to lose one part of your body”, Jesus did say

“Than for your whole body to go into hell” on judgment day

“Marriage should be honored by all”, per Hebrews four

For adultery and sexual immorality God does abhor

The eighth commandment was “You shall not steal”

Psalm sixty two says stolen goods have no appeal

For God has shown His love and strength since time begun

And “will reward each person according to what he has done”

First Timothy states that hope in wealth we should shun

For God “richly provides us” with all of our needs

We should “do good” and “be rich in good deeds”

This is how we “lay up treasure” for the coming age

Taking “hold of life that is truly life” on God’s stage

Ephesians four says people should “steal no longer”

For “doing something useful” makes them stronger

The ninth is “You shall not give false testimony”

Against others don’t make up tales that are phony

Deuteronomy nineteen talks about a malicious witness

And how judges are to investigate and right the mess

Moses said to “purge the evil” by punishing the liar

Then others will hear of and fear what did transpire

And hopefully the people will then completely understand

“Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand”

Psalm fifteen asked who will dwell in God’s sanctuary

It is the righteous one who is blameless until his obituary

He “speaks the truth” with “no slander on his tongue”

And “keeps his oath” even when barbs are flung

He lends honestly and by him, a bribe will not be taken

For “he who does these things will never be shaken”

The tenth was “You shall not covet” that of others

Including possessions, spouses, and brothers

About this commandment, Romans thirteen does say

“Love your neighbor as yourself” is how to obey

“Love does no harm to its neighbor” and is without flaw

In that way, it is said “love is the fulfillment of the law”

Per First Timothy six, “godliness with contentment is great gain”

To think that we can take anything from this world is insane

“If we have food and clothing, we will be content”

But those who wanted to fall rich, into ruin they went

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil”

Some eager for money end up with their faith in upheaval

To be content with what we have, Hebrews thirteen said

Knowing that God will not leave or forsake us instead

3 March 2014 - The Ten Commandments (part one)

In Exodus chapter twenty, ten commandments God did list

He spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai all covered with mist

The first one was “You shall have no other gods before me”

For “I am the Lord your God”, who delivered Israel from slavery

David’s psalm of thanks to the Lord is in First Chronicles sixteen

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth” in verse twenty three is seen

David proclaimed God’s glory, splendor, majesty, and strength

And went on to “ascribe to the Lord the glory due” at length

The second was “You shall not make for yourself an idol”

For God is a jealous god; worshipping another is suicidal

He will punish the sins of the fathers for many generations

To those who love Him, He will show love without limitations

Psalm one hundred fifteen says “to [His] name be the glory”

Those who worship handmade idols are in for a sad story

The third was “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord”

Leviticus twenty four says blasphemy cannot be ignored

For “if anyone curses God, he will be held responsible”

He must be put to death by those who are accountable

Solomon said “the name of the Lord is a strong tower”

Per Proverbs eighteen, the righteous run to its power

The fourth was “You shall remember the Sabbath day”

Verse eleven points out that God rested in the same way

By His actions, the Sabbath was made holy and blessed

It is intended for every person to get much needed rest

In Matthew twelve, the Pharisees asked Jesus a question

He said healing on the Sabbath was not a transgression

Jesus said a person would rescue a sheep which fell in a pit

His logic was sound, even the Pharisees would have to admit

The fifth was “Honor your father and your mother”

“So that you may live long”, one year after another

The next chapter says parents should not be attacked

Death is what awaits one who does such a heinous act

Leviticus twenty says the same holds true for curses

This is stated in the midst of several such verses

Proverbs ten says “a wise man brings joy to his father”

Conversely, a foolish son only brings grief and bother

“Listen to your father”, per Proverbs twenty two

“Do not despise your mother” for she bore you

“The father of a righteous man has great joy”

“He who has a wise son delights” in the boy

“May your father and mother be glad”

Let them rejoice instead of being sad

Ephesians six tells children their parents to obey

For from this commandment they should not stray

With a promise comes only this commandment

“To enjoy long life on earth” and to be content

2 March 2014 - The Exodus

“At midnight the Lord struck down all” the Egyptian firstborn

This affected people and cattle, so they did wail and mourn

The Egyptians then urged the Israelites to leave in a hurry

Despite all of the deaths, their intent was far from blurry

Per Exodus twelve, they realized that they might all die

So the Israelites took their dough which was on standby

They also followed the instructions that God had earlier told

By asking the Egyptians for clothing, silver, and even gold

The Egyptians gave them all, for God’s control they were under

In a sense, as the Israelites were leaving, Egypt they did plunder

Per Exodus fourteen, hardened again became Pharaoh’s heart

He decided to chase the Israelites soon after they did depart

With more than six hundred chariots he did pursue

As the Israelites saw them approaching, their fear grew

Moses told the people to stand firm and not be afraid

For on that day, God’s power would again be displayed

The Lord told Moses to stretch his hand over the sea

The water would divide and a dry path there would be

Moses did as he was told and God drove the sea back

Between the walls of water, the Israelites had a track

Pharaoh’s army and horses followed them into the sea

They were thrown into disarray so God’s people could flee

The Egyptians were scared and wanted to get away

God’s love for the Israelites was clearly on display

Moses stretched his hand and the sea went back to place

Drowning the Egyptians before their steps could retrace

The day Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the shore

They feared God and trusted Him that much more

Exodus fifteen starts with Moses singing a song

Which speaks of how God is so good and strong

“I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted”

“The horse and its rider” into the sea He has vaulted

“The Lord is my strength…and…my salvation”

“And I will praise Him” with much celebration

“The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name”

For He put Pharaoh’s great army to shame

None can compare to his majesty, glory, and wonders

He will lead His people despite all of their blunders

“The Lord will reign for ever and ever” per verse eighteen

Moses’ sister Miriam then sang, playing her tambourine

Psalm one hundred five extols all that God had done

It mentions wonders and miracles since time had begun

The Exodus is the focus of verses thirty seven to forty four

“He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold” and more

“Egypt was glad when they left” because God they did fear

Once the Israelites left, the plagues would also disappear

God covered then with a cloud and a fire He did light

This protected them and gave them guidance at night

“They asked, and he brought them quail” so they could eat

“He opened a rock, and water gushed out” that was sweet

For He remembered the promise given to Abraham

He led them like a shepherd leading a lost lamb

“He brought out His chosen ones…with shouts of joy”

They inherited lands; His people others could not destroy

About time at Mount Sinai, Exodus nineteen had much to say

The Israelites arrived there three months later, to the very day

God told Moses what to say to His people camping there

He reminded them of their escape from Egypt under His care

God added that if they would obey Him fully in all locations

Then Israel would be most treasured among all the nations

“A kingdom of priests and a holy nation” they would become

If His path they would follow all the time, not just for some

Moses took the message to the elders who did quickly agree

God said he would come as a dense cloud others could see

Then the trust in Moses by the people would be widespread

And “then Moses told the Lord what the people had said”

2 March 2014 - The Plagues on Egypt

God told Moses that back to Pharaoh he was being sent

To lead the Israelites out of Egypt and their discontent

In Exodus three, God spoke to Moses and did command

To tell His people that God was watching and did understand

Moses and the elders were going to go to the Egyptian king

Asking for a trip to the desert to make a sacrificial offering

God knew that Pharaoh would not let them go

But said that His mighty hand would then show

He promised to perform many wonders within the land

Which would lead to the heart change God had planned

To them the Egyptians would be favorably disposed

The Israelites would leave with plenty, it was disclosed

Moses had the power to do wonders, God said in Exodus four

Although God would then harden Pharaoh’s heart even more

God sent Aaron into the desert to meet Moses and to talk

Moses shared God’s words and signs as they did walk

They then brought together all the elders of each tribe

Everything God said to Moses, Aaron did describe

Moses performed signs for the people and they believed

They knew the Lord was concerned so they were relieved

In chapter five, to the Egyptian king Moses and Aaron went

To their proposed trip to the desert, he would not consent

“Who is the Lord, that I should obey him?” said Pharaoh

For “I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go”

Answering Moses’ concern about his faltering talking technique

In chapter seven, God said that his brother Aaron would speak

That Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened, God did foretell

Even His miraculous signs and wonders would not compel

But God would free the Israelites without even raising a sword

And then, He said, “the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord”

God said that Pharaoh would ask Moses a miracle to make

Aaron would then throw his staff, which would turn into a snake

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did their parts

But he got his sorcerers to replicate using secret arts

Even when the other staffs Aaron’s staff did swallow

Pharaoh’s hardened heart would not let them go

Psalm seventy eight tells of God’s power and many a deed

Including the ten plagues that led to the Israelites being freed

These plagues are listed starting from verse forty three

Rivers of blood, frogs, gnats, and flies they did see

Dead animals, boils, hail, grasshoppers, and then dark

The Israelites were exempt and the difference was stark

Even Pharaoh could not say that God did not warn

When God struck down all of the Egyptian firstborn

The plague on the firstborn was foretold in Exodus eleven

Ahead of time, Moses heard details from God in heaven

The last plague would be enough for Pharaoh’s heart to change

God told Moses how His people’s welfare He would prearrange

At midnight, God would kill the firstborn of every Egyptian

Pharaoh and slaves would all loudly wail without question

It would be “worse than there has ever been or ever will be again”

The officials would then finally free the Israelite men and women

About the first Passover Exodus chapter twelve did then detail

On door frames, households were to put lamb’s blood without fail

Unleavened bread and roasted lamb they were told to prepare

God even told the Israelites what they were supposed to wear

“Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance”, God did say

The people “bowed down and worshiped” on that Passover Day

1 March 2014 - Fruit of the Spirit (part four of four)

“A gentle answer turns away wrath”, as per Proverbs fifteen

“Be completely humble and gentle”, in Ephesians four is seen

On the same topic, in Philippians four from Paul we hear

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near”

He continues “Do not be anxious about anything”

But present requests to God with thanksgiving

From First Peter three, doing right results in being blessed

Doing everything with gentleness set us apart from the rest

In Isaiah chapter forty, a shepherd is what God is called

He gently gathers, carries, and leads without being stalled

Zechariah, in chapter nine, about Jesus did prophesize

The Son of God would be righteous, gentle, and wise

In Matthew eleven, “I will give you rest”, Jesus did impart

“Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart”

Like a city with broken down walls, says Psalm twenty five

Is a man in whom self-control does not constantly thrive

Titus chapter two says to “teach the older men to be”

Temperate, self-controlled, and loving faithfully

Similarly, women should be self-controlled and pure

And kind so that God’s Word they do not obscure

In Second Peter chapter one, faith leads to goodness

Then knowledge, self-control, perseverance, and godliness

Along with increasing measures of brotherly kindness and love

To ensure we are effective in sharing knowledge from above

“The Lord is…slow to anger” per Psalm one hundred three

“Compassionate and gracious”, “abounding in love” is He

In Psalm one hundred forty five, those words David did repeat

David’s words of praise are ongoing and are never obsolete

“The Lord takes vengeance on his foes”, says Nahum one

“Slow to anger and great in power” are God and His Son