Regardless of who or what we are in this world, we are ALL accountable to keep the commandments of the LORD. This morning as I continue to study the word “father” in God’s Word, as usual, God reveals things to me that I was not expecting. I am not sure of what I was to learn this morning when I sat down, and as usual, God has His plan for me that I have to be open to.
“14And the Levites shall declare to all the men of Israel in a loud voice:” — Deuteronomy 27:14 (ESV)
The word in the above verse that struck me was the word “all”. You see when you read the two verses before it, half of the tribes of Israel were “blessed” from Mount Gerizim, and half were “cursed” from Mount Ebal, but “all” were addressed in the verses after.
Yes, when you read the verses after, you see the curses that were declared and I immediately went to those who were “cursed” from Mount Ebal. I took the natural thought in just reading the words that those “blessed” from Mount Gerizim were to be excluded from the curses. But I then look back at verse nine and ten to see that all of Israel is addressed, not just those from one mount.
“9Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, ‘Keep silence and hear, O Israel: this day you have become the people of the Lord your God. 10You shall therefore obey the voice of the Lord your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today.’” – Deuteronomy 27:9-10 (ESV)
It is not just one who is to keep the commandments of the LORD, but “ALL”. There may be a separation of where we are settled in this world, yet we are all under the God and in the same kingdom. Being in the same Kingdom of God, we are all subject to the same standards and laws. One group is not “allowed” to get away with sin while another is not.
I know that it seems as though there may be two tiers (or more) of justice as we look at consequences in this world. But I am not referring to this world specifically. I am referring to the Kingdom of God and in His Kingdom, we are all held to the same commandments and are all responsible to keeping them. God is not influenced by where we settle. He is not concerned with which mount we are from. We are “ALL” His children and are responsible to keep His commandments.
What are your thoughts on where you are settled? Are you one who thinks that because of where you are you are somehow better off in the eyes of God? What if you took the approach that we are all equal in the eyes of God and all held to the same commandment in His Kingdom, regardless of where we might be in this world?
Trevor's Thoughts 