Old Testament reading: Deuteronomy 5
Today’s reading contains the second giving of the Ten Commandments. While many clamor today about the need to observe and keep the Decalogue, or at least 9 of the 10 Commandments, they should consider Moses’ introduction to the Covenant (all emphasis mine), “The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive.” So what do we learn? First, the law of the Sabbath was not given to anyone before Sinai – “The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers” (v 3a). This is why we have absolutely no mention of the Sabbath or any observance thereof by the Partriarchs (e.g., Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, or the entire nation of Israel pre-Sinai). Second, the Decalogue was not a law for anyone but Israel – “but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive” (v 3b). This is why we never see any Gentile nation rebuked or condemned for failing to observe the Sabbath (cf Amos 1-2). Finally, there is a stated reason for the observance of the Sabbath, to remember the days of slavery in Egypt – “And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt…therefore the Lord commanded you to keep the Sabbath day” (v 15). The law of Moses was nailed to the cross (Eph 2:14-16), and with it the Ten Commandments.
New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 3-7
The problems within the church at Corinth are further catalogued in today’s reading. In fact, there is a specific problem in each chapter as we continue through this book. In chapter 3 there is the problem of immaturity (vv 1-4); in chapter 4 there is the problem of pride (vv 6-7); in chapter 5 there is the problem of sexual immorality (v 1); in chapter 6 there is the problem of airing the church’s dirty laundry in the public courts of unbelievers (vv 1-6), and in chapter 7, Paul addresses their questions concerning marriage. One thing that should be remembered, especially in our increasingly polarized society, is that problems in a local congregation does not automatically exclude them from fellowship with the Lord or with ourselves. If problems are seen, we should strive to handle such in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted (Gal 6:1).
Leave a Reply