In this message from Deuteronomy 15, we tackle one of the most misunderstood and avoided topics in Scripture: slavery. Far from endorsing the brutal chattel slavery of later history, God’s law in the Old Testament regulated indentured servitude in ways that protected human dignity, restrained abuse, demanded justice, and required generous provision upon release. We explore the historical and cultural context, the clear boundaries God placed on servitude among his people, and how Israel’s own experience of slavery in Egypt…
In this sermon from Deuteronomy 14:22–15:11, we continue our series through Moses’ final sermons by examining God’s instructions for the festival tithe, the triennial town tithe for the Levites and needy, the seventh-year debt release, and generous care for the poor among God’s covenant people. These laws were not burdensome requirements to earn favor but responses to God’s prior redemption and grace, teaching Israel to fear the Lord, rejoice in his provision, support gospel ministry, and reflect his compassion with…
In this sermon from Deuteronomy 14, we examine the Old Covenant food laws—along with related commands about mourning rituals, tattoos, and haircuts—that marked Israel as a people holy and set apart to the Lord. We explore the theological rationale behind these distinctions, centered on the contrast between life and death, and how they called God’s people to reflect his character as the God of life rather than the practices associated with paganism and decay. Turning to the New Testament, we…
We examine James 4:11-12, where James exposes the evil of Christians speaking against and judging one another. James shows how when we do this, we are despising God’s law and we are exalting ourselves as lawgivers and judges, when God is the only Lawgiver and Judge. We consider how sinful this sin is and how to avoid it by remembering our own evil and God’s grace, revelling in the law of love, and returning to our great and gracious Judge…
