Deut 21:1-23
More rules given with regard to social responsibilities. Those who were crucified were to be buried that same evening, so it was necessary that they die before nightfall. So it was that the legs of the two thieves crucified with Jesus were broken to hasten their death. Jesus, however, was dead already. This was to fulfil the prophesy that His bones were not broken, making Him an acceptable sacrifice for God.
Deut 22:1-30
Social responsibilty included taking care of someone's stray animal if necessary, even if bad blood existed between finder and owner. There was to be no avoiding this responsibility.
Men's and women's clothing differ according to style and cut. Thus both male and female garments can have trouser legs but it is obvious which were designed for men and which for women. A problem arises when men and women deliberately choose to wear clothing obviously designed for the opposite sex.
Lessons in conservation were also taught, so that there was an awareness of the importance of taking care of the future.
Protection was afforded to married women such that if her husband no longer wanted her he could not simply malign her and get away with it; proof of bad character was necessary. Sexual sins were also treated according to strict rules.
Luke 9:51-62
That Jesus 'set His face to go to Jerusalem' shows how determined He was to obey His Father in the matter of sacrificing Himself on the cross. But because He was obviously on a pilgrimage to Jeruslem the Samaritans, who worshipped at Mt. Gerizem, would not help Him on His way.
Notice that James and John asked Jesus if THEY could call fire down from heaven to wipe out the Samaritan village. This indicates a growing awareness of the power that they had from Jesus and the confidence to use it. If the Lord empowers us in any way we should also be ready to use the gifts He gives us. But the gifts must not be used to impress other, but for the good of others. So Jesus rebuked them; it is no wonder He called them 'Sons of Thunder' (Mark 3:17).
To those He called, Jesus offered no great rewards; but the cross His disciples carry will become a crown in Glory, in the same way as Jesus carried His cross and is now seated at the right hand of the Father in Glory.
Luke 10:1-12
The group of followers with Jesus must have been larger than we usually think of, for seventy (seventy-two according to some mss.) were sent out into the country to preach; their support coming from the people they ministered to. We can be sure that if Jesus calls us to a particular ministry and we obey then we will be provided for.
Psalm 74:1-23
Another of Asaph's psalms. Like most believers have done at one time or another, he asks God why He has rejected His own people, why He has allowed those who do not worship Him to destroy the Temple, the symbol of God's Presence. Things are so bad that there is not even a prophet around. The psalmist cannot understand why God has not stepped in to sort out the enemy and to deliver His people. After all, God has the power, having shown His might in the past. He pleads for the Lord to remember the covenant He made with His people, and prays that God will deliver them from defeat and shame. After all, the foes of Israel are also the foes of God. There is no record of a divine deliverance at the end of the psalm. Presumably Asaph would have to wait on God's timing and His planning. That is the same for believers today. We see the enemy - Satan and his demons - spurring anti-Christian and anti-Jewish nations on. It seems that throughout the world God's people are losing out spiritually as fewer people worship in churches. The non-Christian religions are on the march, claiming great gains everywhere. Has God given up on His people?
There is no way that the Omniscient God can ever forget what His people are up against; there is no enemy threat that can ever make the Omnipotent God nervous; and His children - believers who wait on Him for deliverance from their situational difficulties - will never be abandoned by the Omnipresent God.
This is the reality when we read the New Testament, especially the book of Revelation, where we see a picture of the end times. In it, God is victorious over all His and His people's enemies and is sitting on His glorious throne, being worshipped by believers forever.
I have condensed these thoughts into this verse:
'The Lord shall reign forever and ever!
We'll praise His name forever and ever!
Lift up this strain forever and ever:
Jesus Christ is my Lord and King!'
Prov 12:11
This verse reminds me of the one that says: '...if any would not work, neither should he eat ...' (2 Thess 3:10). God laboured for six days to Create the universe and all the life that is in it. Since then He has not stopped serving mankind, or His chosen people. He neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4). We can understand, then, that God is not prepared to help someone who does not want to work.
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