-
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
- Carol Reinmiller on September 26, 2022: Day 208 – Psalm 119
- Robert Bronkema on August 31, 2022: Day 187 – II Thessalonians 1-3 and Psalm 79-80
- Pam on August 31, 2022: Day 187 – II Thessalonians 1-3 and Psalm 79-80
- Robert Bronkema on April 19, 2022: Day 84 – Isaiah 6-10 and Psalm 149
- Carol Reinmiller on April 19, 2022: Day 84 – Isaiah 6-10 and Psalm 149
Archives
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
Categories
Meta
May 16, 2019: Day 19 – Deuteronomy 19
We begin somewhat innocuously, and yet with a theme that is a very hot topic for today. Sanctuary cities, do you see that the Lord set up sanctuary cities for those who might be pursued because they killed someone by mistake? So this whole concept of sanctuary cities is absolutely not a new one, it is one that is biblical, and one that is meant to embrace those who are being sought after wrongly. There was a time when what was called the sanctuary movement was quite popular within churches in the US. This movement was spearheaded by Presbyterian pastors, my dad was one of them, who would house illegal immigrants primarily from El Salvador which was suffering from a terrible civil war and these immigrants, illegal that they were, would live in the church until their paperwork could be completed. We housed a family in the church where I grew up in in Pleasantville, NJ. It was pretty heady stuff. But the Scriptural backing is there and continues to be there. Be aware that whatever stance we take, whether morally or politically, must be supported in some way. It cannot emanate simply from our agenda.
We end the chapter with a very famous verse which Jesus used. In Matthew 5:38-48 Jesus is teaching and he tells the people: you have heard it said..., and he quotes the verses from Deuteronomy, and then he adds: but I say to you - " But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you." That is a pretty different direction from where Deuteronomy takes us.
Moses tells us that we have to purge the evil doer from our midst. Jesus says we have to love the evildoer and then maybe, just maybe, they will see the love that God has for them and turn from their evil ways. I'll take Jesus' approach.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.