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Daily Devotion: Exodus 22:28-31

Exodus 22:28-31     "Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me. Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me. And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs." 

Regardless of what men may say, we are not expected to give credence to idols in an effort to not offend others. This verse of scripture does not indicate that it is alright with the true and living God to accept any old form of worship. We are not being told to accept customs and traditions that the word of God plainly teaches against. The scripture plainly tells us to destroy the places of idol worship (Deuteronomy 12:2).

Another meaning of the Hebrew word translated here as “gods” was “magistrates.” The idea that we are not to hold in contempt those that have governance is repeated throughout the scripture. In a kingdom, the various offices of government answer to the king (ruler). If we consider that this is a continuation of the “judgements” that God gave to Moses starting in Exodus 21:1, then this seems the most likely understanding of verse twenty-eight. 

If we would truly serve God and be at peace, we cannot put off giving praise and honor to Him until after we have done everything else we want to do. We are to offer our efforts to Him first. We are to offer to Him the good things (ripe fruits and juices). Our daily labor and all we possess should be offered first to God (Colossians 3:22-24, 1 Corinthians 4:7).

We who are called according to His purpose in grace are a sanctified people unto the LORD. We are not at liberty to just swallow anything that comes along. Only those things rightly prepared before Him are we to consume. He deserves the very best we have without any procrastination on our part in offering it to Him.

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