At 264 and Bardstown Road

This winter has been exceptionally cold and wet in Louisville. I've lived here for almost a month, and snow has covered the grass nearly every day. (Today, however, the sun was out, the ground was clear, and the temperature was nice.) I live in an old, drafty apartment--though I like it--that presents a particular challenge in my bedroom. The cold air floats right in through the window and base of the balcony door. I sleep with my bedroom door closed, so when the temp drops to seven degrees at night, my room becomes a seven-degree freezer, for the heater is insufficient, perhaps even ineffective, against the gentle breeze.

I will spare you the details of attempts to remedy the problem and the sleep loss so as to not deter you from the main point of this post. I will tell you that I began to get sick, and my good attitude plummeted. My sister bought me two small space heaters on sale from Target, and now I can sleep as snug as a bug in a rug.

So what's the point? Well, one cold, overcast day while stopped at a light for Bardstown Road, Rachel and I witnessed a homeless man hanging out under the overpass. He doesn't have a space heater. He doesn't even have a cold, dry room or a soft place to lay his head. I wondered how a man like him could survive the winter.

Suddenly waking up in the early morning hours with body tense and frigid air drifting past my ear wasn't so bad. I knew I had to endure only for a little while. This guy has the whole winter. It must be difficult to persevere, especially if he is not a believer in Jesus Christ.

Rachel has the idea and intention of creating kits of food and supplies to hand out to homeless people when she sees them. She can store them behind her seat in order to always have one ready to give. I think that's stellar.

Since we passed that homeless man, he comes to mind from time. I wonder how he's doing, what his happened in his life, and whether he loves or is loved by anyone.

Thoughts on Deuteronomy 15

Recently on Facebook, I posted as my status something about Deuteronomy 15 and said that I would probably blog about it. I've decided to post my journal entry from that chapter. Here it is:

Deuteronomy 15

This chapter is rich--far better than a smooth cup of coffee. :) These laws focus on love for one's neighbor through providing for his needs and love for God through sacrificing firstborn animals to Him and obeying His commands.

In the first paragraph (vv. 1-6), Moses explains the law of the sabbatical year and its appending promise. Every seventh year an Israelite was to forgive his brother's debt, no matter the amount. (His brother was any other Israelite.) If Israel obeyed God's commands, God's promise was that there would be no poor among her.

God shows great wisdom and kindness in this law and in blessing Israel with physical prosperity. He certainly knows economics better than we do, and He had a plan for helping the poor and, through that, the nation as a whole.

On the flip side of blessed obedience (and showing love for God) is cursed disobedience (expressing hatred to God). Chapter 28, verses 40-44 explains the consequences for not obeying God's laws: Israel herself would sink into poverty and would be overcome by a distant nation. She would no longer lend to others but would be ruled by others. Verses 11-12 suggest that Israel would eventually disobey and that the poor would always be with them. Ch. 28 confirms this. Jesus refers to this in Matthew 26:11, after the disciples complain that Mary has wasted her oil by pouring it on Jesus' head. His allusion to Deut. 15:11 seems like a slap in the face to the disciples, for it would probably remind them that Israel's hardened heart brought forth the poor. Verse 11 says, "You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land." Isn't that what God does for us (Ps. 145:15-16; 1 Pet. 1:3-14)? Aren't we supposed to mirror our God in Christ (Eph. 5:1-2; cf. 2 Cor. 6:11-13)? Let us give freely, supplying for physical needs and spiritual needs, as Christ enables. We are not to give grudgingly or be greedy (next paragraph in regards to releasing slaves). We are to be cheerful givers, like our Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, our dedication to the Lord is to be pure. God commanded Israel to give to Him their firstborn animals without blemish or defect at His place with everyone. We, in the same way, are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1-2). This idea of eating to the Lord is wonderful. It points forward to the church in its corporate worship and fellowship. Zooming out, these laws in Ch. 15 appear as precursors to New Testament instruction--or, more accurately, the New Testament continues the Old Testament's train of thought. We see here that paradoxical "new commandment is an old commandment" of John's and the exact agreement of Jesus and the OT Scriptures.

Finally, so interesting, story group discussed last night not letting the right hand know what the left hand is doing in Matthew 6:1-13. Also, don't give in public with a hypocrite's motive. These laws in Ch. 15 get at the same heart level as Matthew 6 ("Sermon on the Mount," Matt. 5-7). Give freely. We should focus on the Lord, be wrapped up in His manifold excellencies, and forget any desire self-praise or self-sufficiency. That is pure devotion and living sacrifice, and what best pleasures are hidden therein! Let's uncover them like buried treasure!