Scripture Union Daily Guide 18th February 2021 Today Message – Working for growth and continuity of the Church
You are reading Scripture Union Daily Guide for Thursday 18th February 2021 Today Message written to inspire and bless you. As you read may the Almighty God favour and show you mercy, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s Topic: Working for growth and continuity of the Church
Open Prayer: Dear Lord, may the entrance of your word bring light and life to all I will do today.
Scripture Today: Deuteronomy 25:5-19
5 If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband,s brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her. 6 The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.
7 However, if a man does not want to marry his brother,s wife, she shall go to the elders at the town gate and say, “My husband,s brother refuses to carry on his brother,s name in Israel. He will not fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to me.”
8 Then the elders of his town shall summon him and talk to him. If he persists in saying, “I do not want to marry her,” 9his brother,s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, take off one of his sandals, spit in his face and say, “This is what is done to the man who will not build up his brother,s family line.” 10 That man,s line shall be known in Israel as The Family of the Unsandaled.
11 If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, 12 you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity. 13 Do not have two differing weights in your bag? one heavy, one light. 14 Do not have two differing measures in your house?one large, one small.
15 You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 16 For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly. 17 Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt.
18 When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. 19 When the Lord your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!
Question(s) for Reflection
• Is there any command for me to obey? • Is there any warning for me to heed?
Today’s Outline: Scripture Union Daily Guide 18th February 2021 Today Message
Notice the purpose of levirate marriage – (meaning – a marriage between a widow and her deceased husband’s brother) in Israel (vs.5-6)? The only way a person was recognised in Israel was through his lineage (vs.6-7). Remember that everything that happened in the Old Testament was a shadow and a preparatory ground for the reality manifested in the New Testament (Colossians 2:17).
Observe the shameful treatment to be meted out to the man who refuses to carry out his responsibility to his late brother (vs.7-10; Genesis 38:9-10). What do you think of the punishment prescribed in vs.11-12? Disobedience to the Word of God attracts punishment both on this earth and in eternity. Although these laws are not applicable directly to us as New Testament believers, the principles are.
Each Christian should work for the growth and continuity of the Church. If we shy away from our responsibilities or attack and injure one another spiritually, we will hinder the growth and continuity of the church. Think of actions that can be injurious to the church and other believers that we must avoid. See what we are commanded to do in Rom. 14: 19. Read vs.13-16 again.
In some cultures, cheating is considered as being “smart” if you do it and get away with it. The Lord detests dishonesty in all its forms (Leviticus 19:35-36; Proverbs 11:1). As believers, we cannot like or promote what God detests.
Practice/Word Application
• For further study: Read the full account of Tamar and Judah in Genesis 38 and the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:3.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
HYMN: LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING
1. Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heav’n to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.
2. Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
3. Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.
4. Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in Heav’n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Closing Prayer: Lord, help me to always work for the growth and progress of the body of Christ by my daily actions and relationship with others.
• Pray against sexual exploitation and religious intimidation in IDP/refugee camps; pray for the Christians among them to withstand such pressures; also ask for adequate provision and protection in these facilities.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Obadiah 1:17
Bible Reading: Exodus 4-6; Mark 15:26-47
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