Post by Woody Williams on Oct 18, 2007 7:18:22 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Nehemiah 13:23-27
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In those days also I saw Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon,
and Moab; and half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod,
and they could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke the
language of various peoples. And I contended with them and cursed
them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair; and I made them
take an oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your
daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for
yourselves. Did not King Solomon of Israel sin on account of such
women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was
beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel;
nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin. Shall we then
listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously
against our God by marrying foreign women?"
Devotional
----------
After the exile there was a strong move among the Jews to separate
from all non-Jews and all things non-Jewish.There was a drawing in
and apart. All others were considered unclean. This period in Jewish
history explains the situation in Jesus day, where this separation
continued, including the Samaritans. Jesus began to break down the
walls and build bridges. Such radical separation makes it difficult
to serve and love others.
Prayer
------------------
Guide me to build bridges to others in love and compassion, Lord.
Amen
----------
In those days also I saw Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon,
and Moab; and half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod,
and they could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke the
language of various peoples. And I contended with them and cursed
them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair; and I made them
take an oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your
daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for
yourselves. Did not King Solomon of Israel sin on account of such
women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was
beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel;
nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin. Shall we then
listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously
against our God by marrying foreign women?"
Devotional
----------
After the exile there was a strong move among the Jews to separate
from all non-Jews and all things non-Jewish.There was a drawing in
and apart. All others were considered unclean. This period in Jewish
history explains the situation in Jesus day, where this separation
continued, including the Samaritans. Jesus began to break down the
walls and build bridges. Such radical separation makes it difficult
to serve and love others.
Prayer
------------------
Guide me to build bridges to others in love and compassion, Lord.
Amen