Pocket Share Jesus

The Israelites were specifically commanded to not harvest all their crops, but intentionally provide “leavings” which the poor could collect and eat.

I’m thinking it is significant the poor still had to go and collect this food. It was not (in this case) delivered to their doorstep. It required effort and work on their part. It also required intentional action on behalf of the farmers.

I am wondering what our modern corollary should be to “the leavings” of our crops? 

Leviticus 19: 9-10 NLT

““When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Lev19.9.NLT

These verses, written by Moses in the book of Leviticus, explain how blood sacrifice was required for purification in the Israelite temple. This is important to understand when we learn of the life sacrifice of Jesus in the New Testament.

Leviticus 17:10-12 NLT

““And if any native Israelite or foreigner living among you eats or drinks blood in any form, I will turn against that person and cut him off from the community of your people, for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible. That is why I have said to the people of Israel, ‘You must never eat or drink blood—neither you nor the foreigners living among you.’”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Lev17.10.NLT

Thanks to Brian Lamb (of UCO in Edmond, Oklahoma) for sharing this Contemporart English Translation of this verse. I love it.

Matthew 5:6 CEV

“God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want!”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Matt5.6.CEV

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The book of Leviticus is a pretty tedious read, or listen, as the case may be. I’m interested to learn how many of the prescriptions related to health, germs, and limited medical treatment as it was known at the time. It’s also interesting that locusts were legit to eat. 

Leviticus 11:22-23 NLT

“The insects you are permitted to eat include all kinds of locusts, bald locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers. All other winged insects that walk along the ground are detestable to you.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Lev11.22.NLT

These words from Pharaoh in Exodus remind me of the way many politicians are treating public school teachers today. Just as the Israelites were, I am tired of this oppression and call out to the Lord for help.

Exodus 5:6-9 NLT

“That same day Pharaoh sent this order to the Egyptian slave drivers and the Israelite foremen: “Do not supply any more straw for making bricks. Make the people get it themselves! But still require them to make the same number of bricks as before. Don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy. That’s why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifices to our God.’ Load them down with more work. Make them sweat! That will teach them to listen to lies!””

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Exod5.6.NLT

God is, was, has always been and always will be. That is why God told Moses from the burning bush, “Tell them my name is ‘I Am.'”

Exodus 3:13-15 NLT

“But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Exod3.13.NLT

God calls us to follow Him completely, not just “going through the motions” but living for him 24/7.

Isaiah 29:13 NLT

“And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Isa29.13.NLT

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I am sure at least some of Joseph’s brothers wished later they had spoken up or spoken up more strongly in Joseph’s defense.

Sometimes people who share their dreams face strong opposition.

Genesis 37:18-20 NLT

“When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!””

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Gen37.18.NLT

These are verses from today’s men’s group lesson by Ray Vanderlaan in his DVD series. We are called to lead with words and specifically God’s Word, not by our own power or earthly power.

In the following verses, Moses disobeys God on several levels. The consequences are severe. One of the lessons for us is to lead by God’s Word, and not allow our frustrations and desire for personal recognition to change our adherence to God’s Word.

Numbers 20:10, 11 NLT

“Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Num20.10.NLT

“When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord  his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. (Deuteronomy 17:18, 19 NLT)

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