Following Christ-Rediscovering the Jewish Faith of Jesusಮಾದರಿ

Day 9: God Gives Instructions to His People

After God led the people of Israel out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses, He led them to the foot of Mount Sinai. There God spoke to them out loud from the mountain—giving them the Ten Commandments. After that, He called Moses up the mountain, and gave him many more instructions for the people. Some of them were instructions regarding worship, building the tabernacle, and bringing sacrifices, but many of His instructions were regarding lifestyle: what to eat, what to wear, whether to make marks on their bodies, how to treat others, and how to spend their time.

There are at least two possible reasons why God gave His people the instructions He did. The clearest one is that these were the ways to live that would please Him. God defines sin and morality, and He was instructing His people how to live up to His moral standards.

There is another possible reason for God giving these particular instructions to His people. He wanted them to be distinct from other nations. He wanted them to live in a way that would set them apart from the other nations.

When we think about to whichwere we should follow the instructions that God gave through Moses today, there are several things to consider. Of course, there are many instructions we simply cannot follow. There is no longer a temple or a functioning priesthood. There are some instructions that are specific to people who live in the land of Israel. Additionally, some are specific to men, and others are specific to women.

However, how should we relate to the ones governing our general lifestyle? If God was giving instructions that defined His sense of morality, we can be sure that His morality has not changed from one era to the next. And even if God’s instructions were to differentiate His people from the other nations, which side of that divide should today’s followers of Jesus choose to be on? Surely, we do wish to be His in every way possible.

We’ll explore this more later, but we should note that there were some developments in the second century after Jesus that pressured many of His followers to abandon many of the lifestyle instructions that God gave through Moses. Do we have the courage to follow the moral instructions God gave His people, even though many around us don't? I pray that God will give us the strength to do that!

Reflection

Christ fulfilled the Law, so everyone could find salvation from sin through Him. As we walk with—and listen to—Jesus ourselves, He changes us. If we are not changing, we are not connecting with Jesus. His holiness and truth, and light bring a metamorphosis to our beings. Today, journal about some of the ways you have changed since you first came to know Jesus. It’s good to review and remember what He’s done.

Just like the Israelites, we have a choice about whether or not we live our lives connected to Jesus—following in His ways. In what ways do you choose to connect with Jesus?

How has this choice impacted your life?