Thoughts on the readings for April 27th (Deuteronomy 13, 14, Ecclesiastes 6, Acts 3, 4)

Deuteronomy 13 is a chapter crucial to our understanding of the validation of the LORD's prophets. False prophets were to be put to death for leading astray Yahweh's people. The false prophets, if tolerated, would bring about idolatry and the ruin of God's people. However the Almighty gave them a test so that they could discover the true prophet and expose the false prophet. Today we tend to think of prophecy as relating to the somewhat distant future. While most prophecies contain long term revelations it was necessary that within the prophet's life his message was verifiable. The nation of Israel needed to know who were Yahweh's prophets. For that reason a part of every genuine prophet's message was established during that prophet's life. Israel had the responsibility for rooting out the false prophets from among them. This test was applied by the rulers of the Jews to John the Baptist at the time of our Lord - see John 1 verses 19-28. Deuteronomy 14 verses 1-21 outline rules for the eating of "clean" animals together with a list of those animals which were forbidden to be eaten. Israel were prohibited from eating any animal which had died from natural causes. Verse 21 is a curious example of what the nation was couldn't do. The law would seem to be teaching God's people to be sensitive. Verses 23-29 tells of the tithes the nation was to collect in order to sustain the priests and the Levites. The nation was to give to their Sovereign the best of the first fruits of their crops and herds. Verse 28 explains that the tithe of the increase was to be collected every third year. Ecclesiastes 6 verses 1-6 lament the evil in this world of a failure to be content with what our Heavenly Father has provided us. What futility lies in a life of toil without happiness or joy in living. Verses 7-9 gives advice from the Preacher to each of us - be content with what you have. The Apostle Paul gives the same advice to his son in the faith, Timothy, in 1 Timothy 6 verses 6 to10. Verses 10-12 of Ecclesiastes 6 speaks of the need to develop a relationship with the Almighty rather than trying to philosophise about life. In Acts 3 we have the healing of the crippled man, who was lame from birth and greater than 40 years of age (4 verse 22). He represented Israel and their inability to walk before God. Peter commanded the lame man to fix his gaze on them, which he did expecting alms. He got greater - he received healing and discipleship; and walking, and leaping, and praising God he entered the temple with Peter and John. Remarkable words of witness follow with the testimony that there is no other name under heaven by which salvation can come; than our Lord Jesus Christ. Buddhism, Hinduism cannot save. Our Lord was the stone rejected by men, but chosen and precious to God (Psalm 118 verses 22). Peter outlined in verses 19-26 what they must do. The rulers sent officers in chapter 4 to arrest Peter and John. Note that the number of disciples had now reached 5,000. They were cross examined by the Counsel and commanded to refrain In Acts 3 we have the healing of the crippled man, who was lame from birth and more than 40 years old ( 4:22). This healing has many parallels with the testy of the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda in John 5. The crippled man represents Israel and their inability to walk before their God. Peter commands the lame man to fix his gaze on them, which he does expecting alms. The crippled man receives far greater - he receives healing and discipleship. And walking, and leaping, and praising God he enters the temple with Peter and John. Remarkable words of witness follow with the testimony of Peter that there is no other name given under heaven by which salvation can come than our Lord Jesus Christ. Buddhism, Hinduism and all other isms cannot save. Our Lord was the stone rejected by men, but chosen and precious to God (Psalm 118 verse 22). Peter outlines in verses 19-26 what they must do. The rulers send officers in chapter 4 to arrest Peter and John. Note that the number of disciples had now reached 5,000. They were examined by the Counsel and commanded to refrain from preaching Christ Jesus. The Apostles' response is that: "We cannot cease from doing what the Almighty has commanded us". Peter and John are threatened and released. Upon joining their fellow believers the two Apostles together with their assembled brothers praise the LORD and in prayer speak of what had just happened as being a fulfilment of Psalm 2. Their Sovereign's response to their prayer is a shaking of the house they were in. God is further demonstrating His power in support of their testimony. This was given as yet another endorsement by their God of His guarantee to support his ecclesia's faithful testimony. The spirit of unity and community is spoken of in verses 32-37. Oh for such a spirit among believers today! Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-april-27th-deuteronomy-13-14-ecclesiastes-6-acts-3-4/?feed_id=90608&_unique_id=680c7e12114d7