Scripture:
Leviticus 19:33-34 ESV
[33] “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. [34] You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Observation:
It was honestly I little hard to select the scripture this morning and that’s a little unusual for Leviticus. There was so much to choose from this morning. So let’s get down to it. The book of Leviticus is the Levitical law a book that was written not only to explain the sacrificial system but to express the law as well. Though some of it is hard to understand and at different points, it can be boring to read GOD has placed little jewels throughout HIS word. Like this one for example. A sojourner is someone who is not from the place that they want to stay. A traveler so to speak, you might even say an outsider someone not from the area. It seems like it was common practice at that time to treat those people differently. However not for GOD’s people. HE wanted them to be different. To treat everyone as though they had lived right next door all their lives. Egypt was a bad experience at this point and GOD wanted to bring it to their memory, by saying… “you were strangers in the land of Egypt”.
Application:
What is the most important commandment? Jesus made it simple. HE broke all of it down to just 2. We can all do 2 things… Right so let’s hear them so we know the task at hand. HE said ALL the law and the profits hang on this… Love GOD… Wait for it… And love your neighbor as you love yourself. I used to consider myself a Sojourner here in Oklahoma. I have been here for 16 years now. When I first got here from the West Coast it was a little different. I had never experienced someone waving as they drove by and all their fingers being up. It was refreshing. Friendly people are hard to find where I came from. It’s nice to be able to call this my home. I’m still not used to people waving as they drive by and have been told by friends here hey I waved at you and you didn’t even see me. I’m sorry for that. This is an area I need to get better at. However, I do like to think that I love my neighbor and welcome all with open arms.
Prayer:
Father, let us forget the line that some people would like to divide us with and treat others how we wish to be treated. Let our hearts be full of love. Welcoming others into the fold. We are your sheep. Lead us let our hearts be soft and pliable to the needs of others loving our neighbors is not a question it’s what wraps up all your commandments your word says they will know us by our love so let us do that in Jesus’ name. It’s in HIS mighty name I pray amen.