Notice the POWERFUL CHALLENGE he gives the Israelites in 10:19, "show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt." During Jesus' day, this rule was long forgotten! The Israelites of Jesus' day were some of the most prejudice people on earth! They literally hated and despised Samaritans - who were half Jews and half another nationality. They called Gentiles "dogs" and they were strictly forbidden to enter into the home of a Gentile. If anything, the Jews did NOT show love to foreigners during the time of Christ. That's why the Samaritan woman in John 4:9 was literally shocked that Jesus, being a Jew, would even speak to her! She said, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?" Only Jesus lived according to this rule of Moses. The rest of the crowd refused to love anyone else that didn't conform to their standards. Even the religious leaders no longer practiced nor preached this part of the law of Moses.
Physical Reminders Of God's Commands! In Deuteronomy 11, Moses strongly encourages the people of Israel to wear or place on their body some form of reminder to keep God's commandments. In 11:18, he suggests, "tie them (the Scriptures) to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders." The Jewish leaders often did this! Many of them wore what was called "philacteries" on their foreheads which contained scripture to remind them of God's commandments. Here are a couple of pictures of the kind of philacteries that were worn by the Jews:
Do you have any reminders that help you to remain faithful and loyal to God's command?
Have a great Monday and may the Lord be blessed with your life!
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