Insight into Scripture - Deut 17-20
Witchcraft was the illegitimate use of magic. For a price, they would provide means to harm or destroy an enemy. All of the forms of witchcraft, mediums, and spiritist were trying to circumvent our God.
Warfare was considered a religious enterprise, so it was expected that priests and other religious functionaries would accompany the army.
A soldier was not paid a wage, instead they were given a portion of the loot taken in the capture of villages and towns.
Scripture Reading
Deuteronomy 17:2-5 ESV
"If there is found among you, within any of your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, a man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, in transgressing his covenant, 3 and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have forbidden, 4 and it is told you and you hear of it, then you shall inquire diligently, and if it is true and certain that such an abomination has been done in Israel, 5 then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you shall stone that man or woman to death with stones.
Thought for the Day
You may read this many times in the Old Testament. Man breaks one of God's covenants, and is put to death. PERIOD. God does not say, OK..... well..... take him behind the tabernacle and tell him that I am really mad. Or maybe, God could say; sacrifice 2 rams and 1 bull and we will call it good. No, death was the punishment. Why?
Two thoughts come to mind, both complement each other. We are a weak people, with a faith that can be shaken easily. Christ compared our faith to a mustard seed, Christ said that if our faith was as large as a mustard seed, we could move mountains. Have you ever seen a mustard seed? Good comparison. Yes, for the most part we are weak, we need to see, touch, and smell something to believe it. So, when something earthly; like money comes along we put our faith in that.
Second, because we are so weak, "A little yeast destroys the dough". One bad person becomes two, two become four, four become sixteen....... you get the picture. God knows this, so to protect us He needed to "Purge" that evil person.
I would examine your faith, is it the size of a atom, or is it close to a mustard seed? Are you easily shaken, if so why? What do you need to do to get your faith to that of an Oak Tree; unshakeable?
I am so thankful that Jesus took the place for us, so God does not require us to be stoned anymore. But, stop and think, I do not believe that God has changed, yes, Christ conquered death, but I believe Gods' feelings are the same; He is a jealous God. How many times do you bow down to your high def TV? Or bow down to the almighty XBOX? Maybe you are bowing down to many George Washington's??? What are your idols?
Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus
Thank you for paying the price for my salvation. Thank you for your grace and mercy upon us. Lord, I want you to be the center of my life, I want to make you the priority of my each and every day. Please show me Lord the areas of my life that need to be worked on. Help me cast out all of the unwanted idols in my life. I love you Jesus!
In Your Name I pray,
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