Journal 8-8-09
Scripture
Deuteronomy 21
Atonement for an Unsolved Murder
1 If a man is found slain, lying in a field in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, 2 your elders and judges shall go out and measure the distance from the body to the neighboring towns. 3 Then the elders of the town nearest the body shall take a heifer that has never been worked and has never worn a yoke 4 and lead her down to a valley that has not been plowed or planted and where there is a flowing stream. There in the valley they are to break the heifer's neck. 5 The priests, the sons of Levi, shall step forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to minister and to pronounce blessings in the name of the LORD and to decide all cases of dispute and assault. 6 Then all the elders of the town nearest the body shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley, 7 and they shall declare: "Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it done.8 Accept this atonement for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, O LORD, and do not hold your people guilty of the blood of an innocent man." And the bloodshed will be atoned for. 9 So you will purge from yourselves the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD.
Observation
When I read the title I thought this scripture was going to be like CSI. It was a method statement for consecration if a person accidentally dies. God is very serious when it comes to the shedding of innocent blood, even if it wasn’t our fault. We see in v2-3 that God uses the elders, judges and priest to administer justice. In v3-4, the purity of the sacrifice and the place of sacrifice were of utmost importance. In v5, we see that the priest must pronounce blessings in God’s name, to decide, and declare innocence to the Lord. Finally in v9, once the atonement was done, the guilt of shedding blood was purged out. In a way it was like CSI, there was a crime scene and an investigation.
Application
1. I must always pray for Innocent bloodshed in my country and everywhere in the world.
2. I must always strife to purge all evil in my life.
Response
God, I thank you for reminding me again that you are holy. Teach me to always walk in your ways. Help me to always pray for the innocent blood that has been shed in my country. Help us to be a source of blessings in the midst of curses and a source of hope in the midst of despair. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Scripture
Deuteronomy 21
Atonement for an Unsolved Murder
1 If a man is found slain, lying in a field in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, 2 your elders and judges shall go out and measure the distance from the body to the neighboring towns. 3 Then the elders of the town nearest the body shall take a heifer that has never been worked and has never worn a yoke 4 and lead her down to a valley that has not been plowed or planted and where there is a flowing stream. There in the valley they are to break the heifer's neck. 5 The priests, the sons of Levi, shall step forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to minister and to pronounce blessings in the name of the LORD and to decide all cases of dispute and assault. 6 Then all the elders of the town nearest the body shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley, 7 and they shall declare: "Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it done.8 Accept this atonement for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, O LORD, and do not hold your people guilty of the blood of an innocent man." And the bloodshed will be atoned for. 9 So you will purge from yourselves the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD.
Observation
When I read the title I thought this scripture was going to be like CSI. It was a method statement for consecration if a person accidentally dies. God is very serious when it comes to the shedding of innocent blood, even if it wasn’t our fault. We see in v2-3 that God uses the elders, judges and priest to administer justice. In v3-4, the purity of the sacrifice and the place of sacrifice were of utmost importance. In v5, we see that the priest must pronounce blessings in God’s name, to decide, and declare innocence to the Lord. Finally in v9, once the atonement was done, the guilt of shedding blood was purged out. In a way it was like CSI, there was a crime scene and an investigation.
Application
1. I must always pray for Innocent bloodshed in my country and everywhere in the world.
2. I must always strife to purge all evil in my life.
Response
God, I thank you for reminding me again that you are holy. Teach me to always walk in your ways. Help me to always pray for the innocent blood that has been shed in my country. Help us to be a source of blessings in the midst of curses and a source of hope in the midst of despair. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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