READ: Leviticus 25 (Focus vs. 35-43)
MEMORY VERSE
“If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty . . . allow him to live with you”. Leviticus 25:35 nlt
BACKGROUND
Todd invited his younger brother Alex, a recent college graduate, to come live with him in the house he’d built. He wanted to help his sibling gain some financial footing by allowing him to live rent-free for a while.
After six months, Todd asked Alex to begin paying rent. Years later, Alex made an offer on his own home.
When the offer was accepted, Todd surprised him by telling him that he’d deposited Alex’s rent payments in a savings account over the years and that the substantial sum of money was now his! Alex wept as he received the lavish gift.
In Leviticus 25, God gave Moses commands for the Israelites that included allowing those in need “to live with you” (v. 35 nlt).
This command was part of God enacting “a jubilee year” (v. 10 nlt)—when debts were forgiven, those in poverty were helped, and the enslaved were freed (vv. 23-55). He declared that He’d lovingly led His people “out of Egypt to give [them] the land of Canaan and to be [their] God” (v. 38).
He’d provided a new homeland, and now they were to imitate Him by showing love and opening their homes to others.
The apostle John would later write, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). By Jesus’ sacrifice we can receive the fullness of that lavish love (v. 16). And as He helps us, we can lavish it on others.
Tom Felten
INSIGHT
As the nation of Israel began to take shape, God wanted them to understand how they were to treat each other.
Enslaving fellow Israelites was never to be part of the equation. “If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you,” He said, “help them as you would a foreigner and stranger” (Leviticus 25:35).
And if any of them “become poor and sell themselves to you, do not make them work as slaves” (v. 39). Even this arrangement of indentured servitude wasn’t permanent. God said, “They are to work for you until the Year of Jubilee [every fiftieth year].
Then they and their children are to be released, and they will go back to their own clans and to the property of their ancestors” (vv. 40-41). It’s God’s desire that we never exploit one another but look out for each other’s interests.
Because He lavished His love on us by sending Jesus, He’ll help us lavish His love on others.
Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
How have you experienced God’s lavish love? How can you extend it to others?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Because He lavished His love on us by sending Jesus, He’ll help us lavish His love on others.” Today’s Insight
PR’s TAKE
“God’s love is like an ocean. You can “see” it as far as your eyes will allow you but not its end” Adapted – Rick Warren
“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” St. Augustine
“When you know how much God is in love with you, then you can only live your life radiating that love.” Mother Theresa
PRAYER
“Loving God, please help me pour out Your amazing, lavish love on others.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GOD’S LOVE” Iain Craig
God’s love is deeper than the deepest ocean
*God’s love is wider than the widest sea
God’s love is higher than the highest mountain
Deeper wider higher is God’s love
God’s grace is deeper than deepest ocean
God’s love is wider than the widest sea
God’s love is higher than the highest mountain
Deeper wider higher is God’s love
God’s joy is deeper than deepest ocean
God’s love is wider than the widest sea
God’s love is higher than the highest mountain
Deeper wider higher is God’s love
God’s peace is deeper than deepest ocean
God’s love is wider than the widest sea
God’s love is higher than the highest mountain
Deeper wider higher is God’s love
Deeper wider higher
Deeper wider higher
Is God to me
