Monday, November 18, 2013

The Law of Deuteronomy: Part 4


*Miscellaneous Laws:

“If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God. Deuteronomy 21:22, 23 

The Law Brings a Curse:
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us for it is written, 
“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”
Galatians 3:13 

Suffering for Christ:
From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 
II Corinthians 11:24 


Reluctant Boasting:
For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. 
To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! 
But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also. 

Suffering for Christ:
Are they Hebrews? 
So am I. 
Are they Israelites? 
So am I. 
Are they the seed of Abraham? 
So am I. 
Are they ministers of Christ?
—I speak as a fool—I am more: 
in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 
From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 
Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 
besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 
Who is weak, and I am not weak? 
Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. 
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 
II Corinthians 11:20-32 

Paul mentioned his sufferings only to defend The Gospel & The Authority of his Ministry.

Are you; Bragging about your Triumphs or boasting about your trials?


*The Law Brings a Curse:

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, 

“Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 

But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for 
“the just shall live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but
 “the man who does them shall live by them.” 
(Abraham- where the Promise started)
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us for it is written, 

“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”
 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:10-14 


The Just Live By Faith:
“Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4 

Only One Gospel:
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 
As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. 
Galatians 1:8, 9 

Paul knew these curses well.
 He had read them in the book of Deuteronomy, of course, but he had also heard them recited on five memorable occasions. 
Five times Paul was punished by the Jews for preaching the gospel, and each time he received the standard punishment: 

“forty lashes minus one” 
(2 Corinthians 11:24). 

The synagogue manuals of that time required someone to read out the curses of the law while the prisoner was being whipped. 
Thus as Paul received the final stripe on his back, he may well have heard the very words that he laterquoted to the Galatians: 
“Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”


Warning Against Idleness:  
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 
And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 
Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 

Benediction:
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. 
The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. 
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
 Amen. 

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