How can we understand the ancient laws in the Old Testament? And what’s the point of reading them today? In this episode, we are learning how to read the ancient laws that God gave to Israel and reflecting on how they can impact our choices today.
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How can we understand the ancient laws in the Old Testament? And what’s the point of reading them today? In this episode, we are learning how to read the ancient laws that God gave to Israel and reflecting on how they can impact our choices today.
Bible Reading
Deuteronomy 30:15-18
Reflection Questions
- What is one specific choice you can make to love God and others this week?
- How do you think that choice could bring life to those around you?
- What is the first step you can take with God to carry out that choice today?
Want to Go Deeper?
Check out this episode's Bible study to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion.
Show Credits
- Host: Cheree Hayes
- Message: Dr. Carissa Quinn
- Production and Bible Reading: Dan Gummel
- Theme music: Grant William Harold
- Background Music: Horizon by Cloud Cover
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Reflect
Once you've listened to the podcast, take time to reflect on these questions.
- What is one specific choice you can make to love God and others this week?
- How do you think that choice could bring life to those around you?
- What is the first step you can take with God to carry out that choice today?
Go Deeper
If you would like to dive deeper, use these Scriptures and questions for personal study or small group discussion.
God gave instructions to ancient Israel to teach them how to relate to him and how to relate to one another as a community. These two categories—loving to God and loving others—can be broken down into laws about holiness, sacrifice, sacred time, and social justice. But how does this relate to modern readers? These categories can help us better understand what a particular law reveals about the character of God and his desire for humans. And as we study, we can also learn how the law points to Jesus, who completed its requirements and called his followers to love God and others just as he does. With this in mind, let’s practice reading biblical law, starting with Leviticus 5:2, 5:5-6.
Message Question
How did Carissa’s message challenge or encourage you today?
Read: Leviticus 5:2, Leviticus 5:5-6
- What do these laws communicate key aspects of God’s character and desires to ancient Israel? How are these aspects still true today?
- What needed to be addressed before the people could approach God? How did God provide a way for Israel to approach him?
- Read Hebrews 10:10-14 and 10:19-22. According to this passage, how did God provide a way for all people to approach him through Jesus? How is this similar to Leviticus 5:6? How is it different?
Read: Deuteronomy 30:15-18, Romans 8:1-6
God wants what’s best for his people, so he gives commands that lead to life. Israel had a choice about whether or not to trust and follow God’s counsel to experience that life. And while followers of Jesus today aren’t called to obey the law the same way as the Israelites, they are called to the same trust. God gives his life-giving-Spirit to empower those who trust Jesus. And with his power, followers of Jesus can choose life by loving God and others just like him.
- What is one specific choice you can make to love God and others this week?
- How do you think that choice could bring life to those around you?
- What is the first step you can take with God to carry out that choice today?
- Turn your reflections into a prayer. Thank God for how he’s provided a way for you to experience and participate in his life and love. Be honest about the ways you have neglected to choose life. Receive forgiveness and ask the Holy Spirit for help to make life-giving choices to love God and others today.