Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

17 March 2024

Reading From Deuteronomy 21-23

“If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand them over to their master. Let them live among you wherever they like and in whatever town they choose. Do not oppress them.”

–Deuteronomy 23:15-16

     Many of the laws that God gave to His people through Moses do not condone the ancient practices of the cultures that the Israelites lived among, but rather they help His people function in the historical contexts they found themselves in.  This can be said of plural marriage and slavery.  These were such common practices in the ancient world, that the Israelites needed some wisdom in how to navigate through those situations as they traveled through and did business with other nations.  The overwhelming evidence from the biblical record shows us that God favored men and women having one spouse (as it was for Adam and Eve) and that wherever His rule extends, freedom is what He desires for humanity. 

“God I pray that as I read and study Your Word, bless me with the wisdom and knowledge I need to put Your teachings into context within the harmony of all of Your counsel.  Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts and Your ways are higher than my ways, so remind me to respect Your law even when I don’t fully understand it.  Amen.”

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain

–Psalm 139:1-6