A life that acknowledges Jehovah

A life that acknowledges Jehovah

 

Deuteronomy 26:1-19

 

 

The Israelites must offer their first harvested produce to God, acknowledging that all of this is a gift from God. Afterwards, they must share the joy with the Levites and foreigners. As God had already commanded, the Israelites must pay a special tithe every three years in the land of Canaan. They must take a tenth of their harvest and give it to the Levites, who do not have jobs or private property and spend their whole lives doing God's work, as well as foreigners, orphans, and widows, who are the most marginalized and vulnerable classes of that era.

 

God gave us everything we enjoy as a gift (1-11). It is true that Israel fought to occupy the land of Canaan, but it was fundamentally given to them by God as promised. Everything we enjoy is God's grace, so there is no place for us to claim our rights before God. We can only acknowledge Him and give thanks to Him.

 

If you take care of the poor, you have completely kept the law (12-14). Only after the Israelites had fed the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows were they able to say, “I have fulfilled all of God’s commands without fail.” Let us remember the words of Jesus, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell all that you have, and give to the poor.” (Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell all that you have, and give to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me.”)

 

God, thank you for what you have given us and help us share it with the poor!

 

www.su.or.kr