October 10 – Exodus 23:10-19
October 10 – Exodus 23:10-19
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Exodus 23:10-19
10 “For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield,
11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard.
12 “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.
13 “Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.
14 “Three times in the year you shall keep a feast to me.
15 You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. None shall appear before me empty-handed.
16 You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor.
17 Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord GOD.
18 “You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, or let the fat of my feast remain until the morning.
19 “The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of
the LORD your God. “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.
These scriptures remind us to keep the Sabbath holy and a day of rest. God also reminds us that everyone needs the rest, our workers and our animals. Instructions are shared about Feasts and when and how they should be observed. God didn’t leave anything to chance with the Israelites. He gave them specific instructions and they still couldn’t get it right.
I wish I could say we do better, but we are the same. God gives us specific instructions on what we need to do to enjoy the wonderful salvation of Jesus, and we still can’t get it right.
Why do you think we are unwilling or unable to follow the instructions we are given by God on how to please Him?
Do you observe the Sabbath as a day of rest? If so, how?
I can understand how the observations, feast, sacrifices, and offerings were difficult to keep up with, but the mentioning of first fruits resonates with me. How are you offering your first fruits to God? What actions can you begin now to offer your first fruits to our loving God? What do you believe is meant by “first fruits”? Does it mean the first we plant? The first we harvest? Or maybe it is the best, as in “first place”? Ask God what you are to consider your “first fruits”.
How can we encourage others to offer their first fruits? How can we teach our children to do so?
Heavenly Father, help us to understand Your word better. I know You give us insight as we need it and as we can handle it, but I must admit there are times I read some verses and feel totally at a loss for what You want me to know, then a few days later I will read the same verses and see something totally different and feel completely filled up and overflowing with what I am seeing. Thank You that You give me insight into Your word and help me be patient as I learn, grow, and share what You teach me. Thank You for the opportunities to share and help me be willing to share anytime there is an opportunity. Help me bring my very best to You, Father and not reserve the best to sell, show off or enjoy for myself. You give me everything I have, and You alone deserve my very best. Thank You for insight into Your word today and every day.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen!
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