Day 78 – Deuteronomy 24-27

Talking Points

• God gives instructions for divorce and remarriage. These verses have been misapplied for ages. When God describes what should happen if a wife “finds no favor in [her husband’s] eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce…”, the Jewish people took the inclusion of this command as God’s approval or acceptance of divorce (24:1). It became so distorted that their definition of an “indecency” could be almost anything — even a burned supper!
  
  Jesus quoted this exact verse and gave its understanding in the fifth chapter of Matthew. The indecency was an act of adultery. Even then, Jesus taught the ideal was for there to be no divorce at all (Matthew 19). Be sure God’s plan for marriage is to bless its participants and to honor Him.
• God includes another listing of various laws. These laws offer care for the widow, the poor, and the foreigner. Regulations for fair trade and even the treatment of animals is included. And, all of this is to separate His people from the world they lived in.
• Offerings are brought in thankfulness and remembrance of God’s great care. Their devotion to God in the future would be bolstered by their knowledge of God in the past.

Thoughts

I recently read a post that said, “God does not care about your happiness. He cares about your holiness.” It even included a picture. The statement sure sounded like a profound theological truth we should know. Here is the deal: I totally disagree, and I believe the teaching of Scripture does, as well.

The problem is likely that some well-meaning people have made the false conclusion that holiness and happiness are mutually exclusive. Maybe, in their conviction or sourness over leaving a favorite sin, they believe, “Well, I can either be happy or holy.” Maybe people feel like God has called people to a joyless life, where all they can do is eat saltine crackers and read the Bible. Then, since that joy has been taken from them, they can’t wait to lower the boom on someone else. “God doesn’t care if you’re happy…” — and there you go.

Here is the Biblical truth: holiness is the only way to experience true happiness. Over and over again, we see God loves His people, desires to bless them, and has their best interest at heart. His way truly is the best way to live, and living His way results in happiness.

One of 1000 examples is found in Deuteronomy 24:5. In this verse, God commands that a newly married man be released from all his public duties for a year, that he would “give happiness to his wife whom he has taken.” The translation is that he would give her cheer, make glad her heart, literally make her happy. What an awesome revelation of our God! He cares for the newlywed couple. He wants to bless them. And, specifically, He wants to put joy and gladness in the heart of the new bride. His call for holy living would result in great happiness!

Today, as you make choices, choices to walk with God or to walk in the counsel of the world, choose holiness. Happiness will surely follow.