Day 78, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Deuteronomy 15–18
8 Ways to Prevent Corruption in our Christian Lives
Immorality, injustice in the courts, inhumane treatment of people, greed, and tyranny—how do we prevent corruption in our lives and society?
Follow God’s Instructions
There are many things God directs the Israelites to do before he brings them into Canaan (specific stipulations patterned after the Suzerain Treaty; more...).The current occupants are evil, sexually perverse, and idol worshippers, so careful steps are taken to eliminate their terrible influences. Following God’s instructions gives his people the best chance for success. But, if they do not follow them but follow the Canaanites’ ways, judgment will come. What can Israel do to prevent corruption? What can they (and we) do to keep ourselves from losing God’s blessings?
Remember Our Relationship with God
The phrase “the LORD your God” is used thirty-five times in today’s Bible reading. He is reminding his people of their relationship. Our relationship with God is also the reason we keep his Word. Is the LORD our God? (more)
Be Generous, not Greedy
After the Israelites come into their inheritance, most will prosper, and some will become wealthy. A few, however, for whatever reason, will be poor. To prevent wealthy businessmen and landowners from becoming greedy, they must care for their fellow Israelites, not be tight-fisted. The rich are not to make slaves of them, but they can use them as indentured servants for six years. In the seventh year, their debts will be canceled, and they will be allowed to go free. This is different from the year of Jubilee, which we learned about in the book of Leviticus. In that book, instructions were given that people and property, sold to pay off debts, were returned to each family every fifty years. In the present directive, not only are the debts forgiven every seventh year, but the wealthy are to give their former servants enough provisions for a new start.
Furthermore, the Israelites are to give the first of their grain, herds, and flocks to the LORD’s tabernacle servants, the Levites, for their sustenance. To prevent us from being greedy in today’s culture, we should also give generously to those in need. We should make sure our clergy or other spiritual leaders are well-provided.
Days of Remembrance and Thanksgiving
Also, to prevent the Israelites from adopting the evil culture of the nations they dispossess, feasts are re-instituted. They were first detailed at Mt. Horeb in Sinai to the first generation of Israelites out of Egypt (Leviticus 23)Now, Moses reminds the second generation of the necessity of their continuance. Three times a year, the Israelite males must travel to God’s appointed place to observe the feasts.
The purpose of these feasts is to celebrate and remember what the LORD has done for them. On the fourteenth day of the first month, they gather to mark their deliverance from Egypt, the Passover Feast, and the Feast of Unleavened (yeastless) Bread. Fifty days later, the men re-gather to bring a grain offering of the firstfruits of their harvest. This is called the Feast of Firstfruits or Feast of Weeks. In the seventh month, they gather once more for a Thanksgiving harvest celebration, the Feast of Tabernacles. It begins with a day of national repentance and restoration (the Day of Atonement) and a few restful days (Sabbaths). It is followed by a week in which the Israelites give thanks for their crops and gather in small tents made of palm branches. They do the latter to remember the care God gave them during their forty years of wilderness wanderings.
Although we are not a theocratic society, national expressions of thankfulness and devotion to God are as important today as they were to Israel. Christians could begin their year by remembering what Christ did for them, delivering them from their sins, and giving them eternal life. Then, they could recommit themselves to the LORD.
Providentially, the timing of Easter and Thanksgiving corresponds to the Israelite spring and fall celebrations. The Christian celebration of Easter is meant to celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ from the dead to give us spiritual life(more...). We are not commanded to observe a particular day of Thanksgiving (Romans 14:5-6), but it is a good practice (Psalm 100).If we celebrate Easter and Thanksgiving, we need to emphasize the meaning of these celebrations. This will help to prevent us from adopting our culture’s customs. Christians must give special care to set an example for our children. We should also talk about God’s blessings to people in our society so that his offer of eternal life and peace will not be forgotten.
Eradicate the evil
The LORD wants to be celebrated and revered as Israel’s God. Capital punishment is executed on any Israelite who is found worshipping foreign gods or influencing others to do the same. The LORD is jealous of the relationship between the Israelites and himself. He is also offended that he, the Almighty Creator and Provider, should be replaced by a fashioned block of wood, stone, or precious metal that cannot see, hear, or help in any way! The worship of these “gods” is connected with prostitution, child sacrifice, and other vile practices. Any Israelite who worships them is killed to purge the evil from among them (Deuteronomy 17:7, 12).We, today, are not instructed to kill anyone for not worshipping God—we are not a theocratic society engaged in a holy war. Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). We must, however, fear the LORD and not arouse his anger by discouraging people from trusting in him. At times, we may fall in our faith, but we cannot take others down with us.
Act with Justice and Mercy
Before the Israelites enter the land, God institutes a justice system. Court cases, which cannot be decided by the community leaders, will be determined by the priests. They are to judge according to the Mosaic Law and with equity. They are considered the Supreme Court of the land. The priests must be especially sensitive to justice for the orphans, widows, and aliens living among them. A system of justice prevents chaos and lawlessness, and it gives peace. God instructs his people in every period of history to act with justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8).Careful Policies are Necessary
God knows eventually the people will want a king to lead them (1Samuel 8), although the LORD is their king. He is displeased by this, but with foresight, he sets out rules and regulations to choose a king. He does not want him to lead the nation away from following the LORD. God sets up the rules so the people will have the best chance to receive his blessings. As we will see later, some kings do follow God’s instructions, but most do not.
Whatever policies we set as a family, church, or other organization, we should try to please the LORD and make sure it will not lead others away from him.
Test the Teaching of Spiritual Leadership
Finally, in today’s Bible reading, God instructs Israelites who practice sorcery to be executed. Israel’s reliance is not to be on demons and false prophets but on the LORD. God promises to send them prophets like Moses upon whom they can rely (Deuteronomy 18:15). In the immediate context, this may refer to Joshua. Ultimately, the future prophet will be the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 3:18-26).
How can the people tell who the LORD’s prophet is? The test of a true prophet is accuracy. What he predicts must be fulfilled and agree with the Word of the LORD.
This test is helpful for us today. Those who proclaim to have a “word from the LORD” must prove its consistency with the written Word of God. If not, we are not to listen to him or her, no matter how knowledgeable, charismatic or likable the person may be. False prophets mislead us and spoil our inheritance. God’s Word prevents us from being led astray.
The Mosaic Law is the law given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It includes moral and social laws.
Focus Verse
Colossians 3:5 (NIV) “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
Do you like these discussion questions so you can come up with your own answers? email me with your answer.
Discussion (you can type in your answers)
Why should we keep God’s Word?
How do we prevent corruption in our Christian life?
How can we tell if a minister is a true prophet of the LORD?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
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Looking Ahead: The Israelites are warned about preventing corruption, so how do they (or we) Remove Evil? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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