Topic: Unto God Only [Monday December 4, 2017]
Text: Deuteronomy 18:9-14
Key Verse: “When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations” (Deuteronomy 18:9).
The world is filled with several types of professions. In almost all instances, the professionals possess some qualifications and by extension, some qualities that mark them out. For example, the medical profession does not only expose its practitioners to rigorous professional training, but also to some habits and lifestyle that depict the ethics of the profession.
Ignoring such ethics would not only endanger and injure the health of the medical officer, but also cast aspersions on his profession and dissuade those who would have come for his professional service. The text under consideration depicts a subset of instructions to Israel to mark them out as God’s chosen people once they entered Canaan.
They were never to learn of the abominations of the people; their sons and daughters must not pass through the fire, neither were the people permitted to succumb to the horrific experiences of divination, observance of times, enchantment, witchcraft and other ignoble association with satanic powers. The reason for God’s stringent admonition was simply this: the practices are abominations unto the Lord. It explains why God judged the hateful inhabitants of Canaan.
On the contrary, Israel was firmly instructed to be perfect before God as His unique and peculiar people. The Christian life is unique and peculiar. Just like it is unimaginable that a qualified medical doctor would seek the help of a herbalist to heal his headache, stomach disturbance or skin rashes, so it is abominable to the Christian profession for a believer to seek help, refuge, protection or solace from all the beggarly elements that the people of the world are flocking after. Every child of God is special, separated and superior to any other power other than God’s. The life of the believer should show forth God’s praise and comeliness in every manner.
Thought for the day: A separated saint is a distinct instrument for God.
Bible Reading in one Year: Luke 5-6
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
