April 2- Taking Responsibility

April 2, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30; Luke 9:51-10:12
Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 12:11

A weakened sense of responsibility does not weaken the fact of responsibility.
 ~William J. Bennett

Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30

Addiction is a huge problem in this country and throughout the world.  There are always celebrities taking time off of their busy schedules to check into rehab.  Hardly a family in America doesn't have someone somewhere in their family tree without addiction issues.  It is part of the human condition on this fallen planet.  Programs designed to deal with addiction like Alcoholics Anonymous teach their participants the importance of taking responsibility for their own actions.  This is one of the keys to living a healthy life.

Today Moses finishes the section of his writings concerning national regulations for the nation of Israel.  We will be reviewing those things for which Israel was to take responsibility.  Here are some of what is covered:

• If a person is murdered, the nearest city is responsible for the crime.  The elders and the priests of that city were to seek God's forgiveness. -Vs. 1-9
• Responsibilities towards wives gotten through warfare and inheritances in cases where a man had  two wives. Vs. 10-17
• Rules for dealing with a rebellious son. A rebellious son, who was shown to be a glutton and a drunkard, in addition to not listening to his parents was to be stoned by the men of the city.  This is a prodigal son. Please note: Jesus deals with the prodigal son by teaching grace being extended to them by their father.  This would have been a revolutionary concept to the Jews. Vs. 18-21
• Rules for death by hanging of a criminal. - This would apply to a criminal who had already been stoned to death and then hung on a tree as a means of further humiliation.  This is reserved for only the worst criminals. -Vs. 22-23
• Responsibility to return lost items to neighbors. -Vs. 22:1-4
• Responsibility to not cross dress. -Vs. 5
• Responsibility to care for a bird that has fallen out of its nest. Vs. 6
• Responsibility to put a guard rail around your flat top roof (building codes) . -Vs. 7
• Responsibility to not mix crop seed, animals for plowing, materials for weaving cloth. -Vs. 9-10
• Responsibility to be a responsible husband. Vs. 13-15
• Responsibility for a woman to be sexually faithful in marriage.  Vs. 20-21

While some of these responsibilities may seem odd to our modern sensibilities, much of what God is proposing is basic moral behavior that prevents chaos.  Not mixing crop seeds, fabrics, and plowing animals are just common sense.  If you wash a fabric that has both linen and wool in it, it will shrink at differing rates, which will make the garment unwearable.  Having a plow pulled by an ass and an ox at the same time will cause uneven plowing and more difficulty.  The wisdom of these laws is self-evident. After the Nephilim incident in this story, we see that God is intent on not mixing "kinds."

Do you take responsibility for your actions?  Do you see that God ordains and holds responsible our cities, states, and national governments as institutions designed to protect the citizenry? 

At the early founding of America our lawmakers were very familiar with the Bible.  The Scriptures of the Holy Bible were part of the national curriculum in this country well past the Civil War era.  As we study, we see the benefit of knowing the Mosaic Laws, many of which were the basis for our own legal system in the United States.

Luke 9:51-10:12

Today Jesus taking responsibility for the job that God the Father has given him.  As our reading begins, Jesus' time to return to heaven is drawing near.  He resolutely sets out for Jerusalem.  This is with full knowledge that he will suffer and die in the end.  Jesus sends word to a Samaritan village that he is on the way to their town.  The people refuse to deal with him.  James and John propose bringing a fiery judgment from heaven down on this town. Gee, do ya think that the healing powers that the Lord gave to these men to do good works has gone to their heads?  Or perhaps they are still thinking about the glorified Christ they saw at the Transfiguration. Surely, God's Son can smite these unbelievers. Oh, the ever-present problem of sin!  Jesus rebukes them. He is here to forgive sin at this time.

Jesus deals with the responsibility that his followers will have.  They are to accept their mission without turning back.  They are to follow him at all cost. Jesus picks 72 more disciples to spread the good news of his arrival as Messiah.  These people, including both men and women, are to rely on the hospitality of the towns they enter. Please note that Jesus is revolutionary in picking women to help in the ministry of spreading the Good News of the gospel of Christ. They are given authority and position. As they go forth, the disciples are to bless a town if the town reflects faith in God.  If the town rejects the message of Jesus Christ, it is to be cursed.  The towns are held responsible for the faith of their citizenry.  This follows the pattern that we just read about in Deuteronomy today.

Do these passages give you concern for God holding our nation responsible for its beliefs?  It should.  God judges individuals, regions, people groups and nations.  This is a Biblical principle.

Psalm 74:1-23

This is a psalm about destruction and creation.  The psalmist cries out for God to remember His covenant and His promises.  You and I should ask God to remember these each day.

Proverbs 12:11

Hard work is important.  Only fools are lazy.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011