Deuteronomy 29:
As Moses approaches the conclusion of His words to the Children of Israel, he again reminds them that they are a special treasure in the hand of the Lord and that they belong to God completely. No clearer picture of provision could ever be experienced than that of the Manna in the wilderness and the amazing longevity of the shoe leather of the Jews! The issue of separation between the people of God and the people of the land is a recurring theme in this book and Moses makes no apology for it. The Lord can see the heart of the people and He knows that they are easily turned towards sin and so He inspired Moses to speak out the challenge and then to speak it out again. Repetition is not without purpose and often leads to greater retention of it meaning. the lesson for us is, when the Lord has spoken to us once… twice…three times…we really should pay attention and do something about it!
2 Corinthians 6:
We are God’s people and as such should be careful who and what we attach ourselves to. The concept of being ‘unequally yoked’ is the reality that occurs when we commit ourselves to the influence of someone who doesn’t believe. Whether in a marriage or a business venture, if we are ‘yoked’ together with another who doesn’t believe then we will constantly be being ‘pulled’ in different directions. The Lord called Christians to “Take my yoke” and to be joined with Him. If you yoke yourself to an unbeliever then you truly are relinquishing the possibility of the influence of Christ in your life. The Lord’s desire for you is Holiness and for that to become a reality requires you to set yourself apart everyday to become all that He has for you. This is challenging and ‘in your face’ stuff but it is the stuff that successful Christianity is all about.