We rejoin Moses in the midst of speech #2 as he warns the Israelites not to be seduced by anyone suggesting they follow other gods - even if they perform miraculous signs of wonder. God is testing you to make sure your heart is truly His. The false prophet was to be put to death to purge the evil from among them. They were commanded not to listen to family or friends that would entice them to turn away from God, in fact, they were to show them no pity, or spare or shield them. They were to be stoned for attempting to turn the people away from God. If it was proven that men in a town were trying to convert the people to worship other gods, the town was to be destroyed completely and never inhabited again.
Chapter 14 begins with a review of clean and unclean food. (Leviticus 11 Feb 2&3) Also covered is the law of tithes. One tenth of all their produce was to be set aside to the Lord, and eaten in the presence of the Lord at the place He would show them. If they had to travel very far to make these offerings, they were to convert them to silver and buy whatever they liked at the place where the offerings were to be given to the Lord. There they were to eat and rejoice. They were to remember the Levites with part of their offerings. They were to take their tithings to be stored for the Levites every 3 years, to be used as a food bank for the poor and needy.
In ch 15 Moses tells of debts being cancelled every 7 years. They could require payment from foreigners but not Israelites. God wanted them to help their poor by sharing their rich blessings from Him, so they wouldn't be poor anymore. They were to give generously without a grudging heart, and the Lord would bless everything they did. This reminds me of the way my husband responds to this kind of request. He was asked for money from a stranger at a gas station. This person told a story about needing to get somewhere and having no money for gas. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a wad of bills and handed it over to the person. Just like that! I must admit that I struggle with being one of those tightfisted people. So I asked him about it. He gave me the best answer I've ever heard. He said "I'd rather give someone money on the chance that it will help them. That amount of money won't make or break me. If they're trying to trick me, that's on their conscience, but mine is clear." Well said!
Moses continues with details about freeing servants as discussed in Exodus 21:2-6 (Jan 18). The information about every firstborn belonging to God is also reviewed as in Leviticus 27:26 (Feb 9).
Chapter 16 begins with a review of observing Passover as in Numbers 28:16-25 (Feb 20). After 40 years of practice, I hope the Israelites knew how to do this as well as we know how to remember Easter!
Tomorrow read Deuteronomy 16:9-19:21
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