How do you know when God is speaking to you besides the Bible? This is a common and a good question to address. Many people claim to get specific new revelations from God. Some even claim to be prophets and write prophetic texts. Some churches claim direct inspiration from the Spirit of God to alter traditions and much more. Are they all right? Are they mostly right?

            Claiming direct revelation from God to deliver to others is different from claiming private personal revelation from God for one’s life. How can the individual Christian know the difference from having an idea and God giving them revelation?

Here are some biblical observations relevant to this subject:

1. God speaks to His people today by His Son — Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:2; cf. 2:3–4).

2. God did not speak and give direct revelation to everyone throughout the Bible, but He spoke to the prophets who spoke to the people (Hebrews 1:1; 2:2). 

3. God gave revelation by His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit as written in Scripture (Ephesians 3:3–5; cf. 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

4. Jesus promised to reveal all truth through His Spirit to His apostles (John 14:26; 16:12–13).

5. James promised that those who pray would receive wisdom from God (James 1:5–6). 

How do Christians get that wisdom from God? Christians get wisdom from God’s Word and from experiences in life understood in the light of God’s Word. Believers certainly get such wisdom from the illumination of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:16–18). However, what is the illumination of the Spirit? The Apostle Paul spoke about the illumination of the Spirit, and he taught that the Spirit gave revelation through the apostles and prophets for Christians to read and know this mystery of revelation (Ephesians 3:3–5; cf. 2:19–22). Revelation from apostolic Scripture is certainly illumination from the Spirit. This writer may be wrong, but I am not aware of any independent personal revelation from the Spirit apart from God’s written Word. I think that I would be arrogant to assert that I got an additional revelation to “all truth” revealed by the Spirit to the apostles. If everyone had this revelation of all truth, then no one would need the Bible. Furthermore, Jesus heavily relied upon the Scriptures as the revelation of God when He taught others. Christians must do the same. The Apostle Paul taught that the Scriptures are all-sufficient for every teaching and good work (2 Tim 3:16–17).
            Whatever ideas and thoughts we have from God must agree with God’s revealed Word. Otherwise, people may invent what they want thinking that their ideas come from God. They would be adding to “all truth” that Jesus promised to reveal to His apostles. Those ideas will limit their understanding of the Bible. Many read Scripture and add background scenarios that can change how they view the Bible. This happens a lot when someone does not like Jesus’s command to divorce only for extramarital sex, so they assert a background scenario that Jesus was just talking to the Pharisees or to those under the OT and not to everyone (Matthew 19:9). Many do not like speakers being males in the church so they add a background scenario that some wives were speaking out and not respecting their husbands (1 Corinthians 14:33–37). They even reason that God has no gender to dismiss masculine leadership, so they disregard that Jesus came as a male and trained male disciples to be preachers.
            What is behind people wanting to hear directly from God? Many want to do as God wants and they want specific instructions for their life. However, most people in the Bible did not get direct instructions for every life event and situation. Think about everyone in the Faith Chapter of Hebrews 11. They acted by faith not knowing how and when God would act. God wants us to trust and obey Him through all times even when we do not know what is happening and what we should do (Romans 8:28). Sadly, some people appear to want a sense of significance beyond what God has already given them. This is pride over humility. The faithful avoid this and so they believe and trust in their Creator.
            God made you in His likeness able to think intelligently and communicate. God wants you to trust Him and listen to His words revealed in Scripture for the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

How would you rate your level of understanding God’s Word from 1 to 10 with 10 being fully mature Christian capable of teaching others on more than the elementary teachings of the Scriptures? All Christians are growing, and the faithful will never stop growing in knowledge. Peter closed his last letter commanding, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 ESV). Many Christians should be concerned because have stopped growing and are falling behind.

            The apostle Paul by the Holy Spirit answers many questions about Christian maturity and understanding the Bible in Hebrews 5:11–14. The apostle explained the implications of Jesus as the high priest in the previous verses and he noted that these are hard to explain to many Christians because they have become hard of hearing (cf. Heb 4:14–5:10). Paul expressed, “About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:11).

            How did they become hard of hearing? By the writer assuming the Pauline author of Hebrews is Paul, he observed previously that these Hebrew Christians were apostatizing. Paul warned, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). Their problem was that they were hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (3:13). Paul urged these Christians to encourage one another every day and hold to the original confidence as they share in Christ (3:13–14). For this reason, the apostle warned them not to harden their hearts as the Israelites did in the rebellion against Moses (3:15–19).

            If you struggle to understand, do not be discourage Peter noted that much of Paul’s writing was hard to understand (2 Pet 3:15–16). However, if you know that you should have matured to teaching God’s Word to others, then you should be concerned. You can progress quickly by constantly studying God’s Word and talking with others.

            The apostle Paul expanded and observed, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child” (Hebrews 5:12–13). The lack of discipline and study has hurt the church as the faithful watch others give up and no words seem to persuade any change of their thinking. Jesus had good reasons for training His disciples constantly every day by example and teaching.

            These Christians were not mature. Paul explained, “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). The apostle is not talking about the mere judgment of right and wrong behavior but distinguishing “good from evil” teaching. Paul urged them, “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity” (6:1). The apostle saw that they should not need to establish the foundation of elementary teachings any more (6:2–3). Paul saw that they needed again to be taught the foundation of repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on hands, resurrection, and the judgment day. These Christians should be studying and teaching these subjects in-depth and not needing someone to teach them again.

            Can you teach foundational teaching from the Scriptures on these six subjects? Then you know that you are mature in teaching. Do not give up on the contemplation of God and His Word. The best help that I get is to listen to other brethren in conversations, books, articles, and recorded sermons and studies. We need each other. Wherever you are, stay close to God and return if you need to the contemplation of His Word so that you can confidently teach the truth.

There is no regret in turning your life to God. The apostle Paul taught that Godly grief leads to repentance unto salvation without regret (2 Corinthians 7:10). Repentance has no regret. Repentance means to change one's mind to change one's life away from sins (Acts 26:20; Romans 12:1–2; Hebrews 6:1). Do you feel shame and guilt for sin? You will not regret repentance. Some experts confront guilt as "degradation" and work to eliminate guilt but not the sin. Again, repentance leads to salvation without regret.
            Christians should remain reflective of biblical teachings about repentance. Believers should be in a constant state of the renewing of the mind so that they do not conform to the world (Romans 12:1–2). If Christians are pleading to the world to repent, then the faithful must set the example of repenting. Paul taught, "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30 ESV). God wants all to come to repentance so they will be saved (2 Peter 3:9).

            When Paul confronted the church of Christ at Corinth for their sins, his teaching caused great sorrow. However, that sorrow was from God by which they repented of their sins. In recognition of this repentance, the apostle taught that his causing grief in others was so that they repent (2 Corinthians 7:8). Paul rejoiced for them not because they were grieved but because they repented (7:9). Repenting is not sorrow but the change that comes from the humility of Godly sorrow. Upon this, Paul noted, "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death" (7:10). Godly grief produces earnestness to clear oneself of sin through a number of emotions of anger, fear, longing, and zeal (7:11). These reactions all revealed this church's earnestness to repent in the sight of God (7:12).
            How can Christians become more receptive of grief to repent? Believers can quit blaming others for their guilt and personal conflicts. How could someone make you feel guilty? "Don't make me feel guilty" is a strange response. Should you feel guilty for what you are doing? Maybe you should. If someone slandered you and framed you for murder, would you feel guilty for murdering someone? No. Someone cannot make you feel guilty if you did nothing wrong. Maybe I am wrong. Someone could make you doubt your choice of words as inconsiderate or even disrespectful. However, they are not making you feel guilty when you are innocent. Feeling guilty even for an unintentional action is your guilt, shame, and embarrassment that when this is Godly sorrow will help you change.

            Jesus revealed, "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:32). If you are not a sinner, why would you need Jesus? Christians must accept the saying, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost" (1 Timothy 1:15). That is why Jesus taught, "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, 5). When Jesus resurrected from the dead, He taught, "that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47; cf. Acts 20:21). Repentance leads to life (Acts 11:18). Repentance is essential to have one's sins forgiven through baptism in Jesus's name (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 10:43, 47–48).

            The faithful will repent unto salvation without regret. Jesus revealed, "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance" (Luke 15:7). Thank God for those who repent and bring about rejoicing in heaven.

“The band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him” (John 18:12 ESV). Soldiers arrested Jesus of Nazareth under a full moon in the Garden of Gethsemane. Every Passover feast began on a full moon. The nation of Israel followed a lunar calendar starting each month with no light of a new moon and marking each week by a quarter moon so that the 14^th day of each month was a full moon. The Jewish Scriptures commanded that the Passover take place on the 14^th day of the first month, which is Abib (Exodus 12:2).

            The smell of roasted lamb would have drifted throughout Jerusalem on the night of Jesus’s arrest. A few days earlier, Jesus entered Jerusalem near the 10^th day of the month when God commanded Israel to select a first-year male lamb for the Passover feast (Exodus 12:3–5; cf. John 12:1, 12). They killed the lamb on twilight on the 14^th day and put its blood on the doorpost and its crossbeam (Exodus 12:6–7, 21–23). This was lamb was a sacrifice to the Lord (Deuteronomy 16:2). They roasted the lamb and ate all of it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Exodus 12:8). They ate it quickly with belt and sandals on and staff in hand (12:11). The description of “Passover” comes from the LORD passing over Israel, but the LORD did pass through Egypt striking the firstborn by "the destroyer" (12:12, 23). God established this feast upon delivering Israel from Egypt by the tenth plague, which was the death of the firstborn of Egypt.

            The Passover foreshadowed the coming of Christ. God saved Israel by the blood of the lamb and by water as they passed through the waters of the Red Sea (1 Corinthians 10:1–4). God already knew that Israel’s Passover would allude to the coming of Christ and His sacrifice. John the Baptist declared Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36). Just as the Passover lamb was to have no broken bones so Jesus did not break a bone in His death (Exodus 12:46; cf. John 19:31–37). The apostle Paul observed, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus made peace by giving His blood for one to receive by faith (Romans 3:25a). Paul noted, “This was to show God's righteousness because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins” (Romans 3:25b).

            Before the night of Jesus’s arrest, Jesus commanded Peter and John to go prepare the Passover meal (Luke 22:7–8). On that Passover, Jesus spoke, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God” (Luke 22:15–16). Following this, Jesus blessed the bread, broke it, and blessed the cup to institute the Lord’s Supper (22:19–22). After Jesus’s resurrection, followers of Christ assembled on the first day of the week to break this bread (Acts 20:7; cf. 1 Cor 11:17–34).

            Moses had specified that seven days following the Passover lamb was the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:14–20). Followers of Christ eat unleavened bread every first day of the week because Jesus instituted the communion meal during the Passover just before His death (Acts 20:7). The Scriptures set the precedent for unleavened although without a direct command for unleavened bread in the Lord’s Supper. However, the Bible is specific about Christians partaking of bread in the supper (1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23–26).

            The Lord’s Supper is not all that remains of Passover for Christians. The apostle Paul specified that to live a holy life removed from evil is to celebrate the Passover. This includes not associating with anyone named a brother who is living in sin (1 Corinthians 5:6–12). Paul declared, “Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (5:8). The apostle also noted that the congregation is to assemble “in the name of the Lord Jesus” to disassociate from a believer practicing sin to restore them. They did this to remove the sin like leaven to celebrate Passover with sincerity and truth (5:5, 13).

            Jesus’s death without the resurrection would be like the Passover sacrifice without Israel exiting Egypt. Therefore, assembling on the first day of the week to break the bread of communion makes sense also to recognize Jesus's resurrection. Jesus paid the price on the cross and was victorious by His resurrection to bring eternal life to the faithful. This time of the year was for the Passover that is another reminder to the world of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and encouragement for struggling believers to assemble every first day of the week to break bread together (Acts 20:7). Thank God every day of the year that Christ arose.

Christians know that we are to gather others to Jesus or we will scatter (Matt 12:30). When Christians think of sharing the gospel with others, we often reflect on Jesus's parable of sowing the seed and the types of soil. Some ground was hard, rocky, or thorny and so not ready to receive the seed that is God’s Word. Jesus taught, "As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience" (Luke 8:15 ESV). However, we either are surrounded by hard hearts, restricted by social expectations and, or have limited connections. We are wise to get more info and ask others what they think.

            An effective approach to evangelizing is to ask questions in a restrictive environment or a difficult circumstance to get others thinking. Anytime that someone comments on a current event whether you agree or not, you can ask, "Why do you think that?" to gather information about how they support their position. Another way to say this is: "How did you come to that conclusion?" If someone says that she does not believe in talking about religion, you can ask her, “How did you arrive at that conclusion?” Then you can start a conversation by asking her to clarify why she does not talk about religion and that can lead to a friendly discussion about faith.

            The question that Christians should constantly ask those who differ is "Why?" to draw out the person’s thinking and reasoning (if they have thought about why they believe what they believe). Whatever the discussion in any environment even if others expect you not to talk about your faith in God and Christ, you can sincerely ask this question of others and then listen without being confrontational.

            Immediately after Jesus fed the 4,000, some Pharisees came testing Jesus asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus replied, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation." What fruit would come from Jesus asking that question? They did not understand that they just missed a sign from God. After this occasion, Jesus's disciples were discussing not having bread other than one loaf while traveling on the sea (Mark 8:14–16). To get them to think, Jesus asked, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" (Mark 8:17–19). A simple goal is to get others thinking about God, Christ, and their actions.

            Jesus was always asking challenging questions turning the tables over on those challenging His authority. Likewise, Christians can follow His example and ask others to explain their position. Jesus responded to unbelievers, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:46–47; cf. John 8:43; 14:9).

            You can also start a conversation about salvation with a believer by asking, "How were you saved?" and listen. Then, you can respond if there is disagreement, "I wasn't saved that way," and most likely open the door to tell them how God saved you by raising you from baptism. If someone claims that baptism is not the essential moment of salvation, then we can ask, "Why do you believe that?" They may assert that baptism is a work. Again, we can ask, "How did you come to conclude that […baptism is a work]?" This is really repeating the same question. The Christian can follow this with "Can you clarify what you mean by that?" and eventually come to ask an ultimatum like, "You say baptism does not save, but Jesus and Peter say baptism does save. Who is right?" When the chief priests demanded an account of authority for Jesus cleansing the temple, and Jesus responded, "I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” (Luke 20:3–4). A question as an ultimatum is a good conclusion to leave someone thinking.

            As the church, we can imitate Jesus by asking questions that will draw out the thinking of others or cause them to pause and reconsider. Furthermore, Christians should sincerely ask for the reasons for what others believe and listen so that we all honestly seek and find the truth that God has revealed.

Actions have consequences. Deuteronomy may make that more clear than any other text of the Bible. After Moses delivered God’s Law to Israel, the prophet continued by God’s guidance to warn of Israel of the blessings and the curses that await those who do not obey God. The conclusion of God’s Law to Israel is the conclusion of a brief study of observations about the nature of God from Deuteronomy.

            God promised to set Israel high above all nations of the earth if they obey God’s voice and carefully did all that God commanded (Deut 28:1–2). Moses described in the details of blessings for obeying God in this life and in the God-given land granted to Israel (28:1–6). Moses relayed that God will bless Israel on the battlefield, in the farmland, and give great prosperity (28:7–14). The prophet revealed, “And the LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your livestock and in the fruit of your ground, within the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give you” (Deut 28:11 ESV).

            In contrast, God warned that if Israel did not obey God’s voice, then all the curses will overtake them (Deut 28:15–18). God promised the coming of curses, frustration, and confusion on those who do not obey His words (28:20). God would allow pestilences, diseases, and droughts (28:20–24). Moses described maddening curses as the people become helpless with no one to saved them because they abandoned God (28:25–35). Israel will become a horror among the nations for rejecting their God (28:45–47). The events become so appallingly disastrous that another nation will besiege this wicked Israel and they will survive by eating the fruit of the womb — their sons and daughters (28:51–57).

            In the Book of Revelation, the apostle John revealed, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book” (Rev 22:18–19). In the Christian Testament, God is still the God of just wrath. Paul taught, “For those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury” (Rom 2:8; cf. Eph 5:6). Furthermore, Jesus taught, “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt 13:41–42).

            The actions of many parents today devour their own children. Blessings of prosperity exist for married parents for their children (2 Cor 12:14b). Obeying God’s commands keep profanity out of the home and words of hate out of the ears of children. The apostle Paul taught, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:29). Believers who diligently follow God do not provoke their children to wrath by passing on prejudice (Eph 6:4). Children need homes filled with a father’s love for the children’s mother, and the mother’s respect for her husband (Eph 5:33).

            God’s commands are not arbitrary. God’s commands are for the good of everyone. When God gives His people commands, they should do everything they can to obey Him. Thank God for His instructions that are for our own good! Great blessings come by submitting to the One who created you.

           Moses concluded, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days,” (Deut 30:19–20b).

You will remember what you give to support. God wants His people to give and remember the source of blessings. Moses commanded Israelites to give their first fruits from the ground to God, because they harvested it from the land that God gave them (Deut 26:1–2). The Israelites were to take a basket of their first fruits to a priest in the place bearing God’s name — the altar — and declared to God that they have come to the land that God promised (26:2–4). Furthermore, the Israelite was to declare briefly the history of Israel from Abraham through Egypt to entering the land (26:5–9).

            Furthermore, by giving their first fruits, faithful Israelites remembered to worship God. Moses instructed, “And you shall set it [offering of first fruits] down before the Lord your God and worship before the Lord your God. And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you” (Deut 26:10b–11). The tithe, one tenth, for giving went to help those teaching the Law, the traveler, the orphan, and the needy widow. The tenth was a “sacred portion” that one had to remove from one’s house (26:14). Knowing the curses on those who did not obey God’s commands, the faithful Israelite is very wise to remove the tenth that was to be given in remembrance and worship of God’s blessings.

            Giving in worship to God declares that Yahweh is your God and that you are obedient to God’s voice with all your heart and soul (26:16–17). God treasures His people who are those who keep His commands to be a people holy to the Lord (26:18–19). Today, giving a tenth is not commanded in the New Testament but a tenth is a precedent in the New Testament of giving by faith as Abraham gave to Melchizedek before Moses delivered the Law (Heb 7:1–10).

            Giving is an act of faith as the faithful believe God will give back to more in this life and the next. Jesus taught, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38). Those who give will receive. The apostle Paul wrote, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. […] And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Cor 9:6, 8). Do you believe that God will give you more?

            When believers remember what God has done, then we remind ourselves of why we worship God. The writer of Hebrews expressed, “We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat” (Heb 13:10). When Christians partake of the communion supper, we remember what God has given to us through Jesus Christ. Jesus commanded, “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor 11:23–26).

            God gives over those who do not honor and thank Him to sin and its consequences (Rom 1:18–34). Remembering God and Christ is essential. How else can someone take the cross daily (Luke 9:23–24)? Giving reminds us of the Creator and the Christ. Jesus taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35b).

            The Book of Deuteronomy is rich in wisdom and only the fool would ignore God’s words to the nation of Israel. No follower of Jesus should neglect to give and keep back what belongs in offering to God. Give to spread the gospel, to encourage teaching, and relieve the Christians who are in distress. When you do it, thank God for His blessings. “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Heb 13:16).

“The law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” are the words of Paul (Rom 7:12 ESV). Principles of wisdom fill the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses anticipated abuses of customs, institutions, and laws. Christians should consider and apply God’s wisdom to their life, home, business, and politics. Consider the wisdom from Deuteronomy 24:

Military Benefits — Moses instructed that man in his first year of marriage or betrothed should not go out with the army and be liable to public duty but to remain free at home with his wife (Deut 20:7; 24:5). However, this is a humanitarian law giving the man time to start a family. Men did not have to go to war if they built a house that they have not dedicated or planted a vineyard that they have not enjoyed (Deut 20:5–6). These are simple benefits that the military should have today.

Marriage and Divorce — Moses commanded that any man who gives his wife a certificate of divorce because she does not find favor in his eyes, and she marries another man who divorces her or dies, then the former husband cannot marry her again (Deut 24:1–4). One can foresee the abuse of the marriage institution especially if a man divorced his wife so that she would marry another and he would take her back to receive the second husband’s inheritance. The Pharisees used this passage of a certificate of divorce to justify divorce for any reason in the time of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus taught that God’s creation of the institution began when God created one man and one woman to become one flesh and no one should separate what God has joined together (Matt 19:4–6). For this reason, Jesus concluded, “And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality [extramarital sex], and marries another, commits adultery” (Matt 19:9).

Justice — The Law of Moses took a hard stance against the evil of human trafficking. God commanded through Moses, “If a man is found stealing one of his brothers of the people of Israel, and if he treats him as a slave or sells him, then that thief shall die. So you shall purge the evil from your midst” (Deut 24:7). Furthermore, the Law stated, “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death” (Exod 21:16). The consequence of enslaving others should still be death.

Ethics — Moses also taught not to take a millstone or upper millstone as a pledge from a man because such is the same as taking his life (Deut 24:6). In other words, the poor may pledge their millstones that they needed to grind their grain to eat. The bottom millstone was flat and curved inward and about 100 pounds and the top stone by about 5 pounds that fit in one’s hand (IVPBBCOT, 198). Furthermore, Moses commanded that no one give a loan and go into someone’s house to take a pledge or to sleep in a man’s cloak given as a pledge (Deut 24:10–13). God commanded employers to pay their needy workers on the day of their labor (Deut 24:14–15). The Law of Moses protected the rights of those in need.

What would happen if these rules existed in societies of today’s world? Many people think of modern humanity as more civil and just than were ancient people. However, Moses’s Law was not perfect although God authored the Law. God wrote the Law specifically for the people of Israel. Israel was lacking and certainly not God. Jesus declared, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so” (Matt 19:8). The Pauline writer of Hebrews affirmed, “For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second” (Heb 8:7). Thank God that we have Christ and His eternal covenant (Heb 13:20–21).

“An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.” Back in the 20^th century, many world leaders have reflected on this sentiment to encourage peace and mercy when everyone bore some guilt. The idea is that returning evil for evil accomplishes nothing but a bloody field and destruction. Paul taught, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all” (Rom 12:17 ESV). For this reason, Paul taught that love fulfilled the Law (Rom 13:8–10). However, the quote among so many is a misinformed mockery of the Law of Moses outside of its biblical setting.

            Whenever someone carelessly hurt a pregnant woman to cause her to miscarry her child, Moses commanded, “But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe” (Exod 21:24). Moses wrote that the person who lied and slander should receive the punishment that he intended to bring upon another (Deut 19:19–21). For this reason, Moses commanded justice for the judges to decide and instructed the people, “Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (Deut 19:21; cf. Lev 24:20). This is to be done for “the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you” (Deut 19:20). Discipline that causes fear is a good thing for everyone, and it belongs to the governing authority and to a moderate extent in the home.

            Jesus gave further instruction upon this command, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for tooth” (Matt 5:38). Christ was revealing that the individual did not have the right to inflict one’s own personal justice. Instead, Jesus taught, “Do not resist the one who is evil” (Matt 5:38). Much good can come enduring injustice before others. Evil is exposed and authorities have reason to take action. Therefore, Jesus taught to turn the other cheek, give away your cloak to whoever takes your tunic, and go the extra mile with the person who compels you to go one mile (Matt 5:39–42).

            “An eye for an eye” belongs to justice in a civil society. However, “an eye for an eye” does not belong to your own personal vengeance. Paul taught, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” (Rom 12:17). How does God justly avenge? Paul revealed about the governing authority, “For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rom 13:4). Christians must trust God to bring about vengeance through the governing authority on those who do wrong or trust God to come with providential wrath upon the governing authority when they do wrong. “An eye for an eye” belongs with God’s minister of justice — the governing authorities.

            The context of “an eye for an eye” came with instructions from God to the ancient republic of Israel to maintain justice by cross-examining witnesses to any crime. Moses taught, “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established” (Deut 19:15). That is justice fairly applied. The same standard stands among most civilizations and in the U.S. Constitution. Therefore, trust God’s plan.

            Following these words from the Scriptures can be difficult because this is an act of faith. The person who endures a beating does so trusting that God will accomplish a greater good (1 Pet 2:19–25). That is a lot to believe to do what most others would never consider doing. Thank God for His mercy and justice. Trust Him to resolve injustices.

How does the media shape the way that we see the world? Many unknowingly accept the culture and the world as the media presents it. Their presentation of how reality is in movies, shows, and series presenting people living Godless lives without displaying the horror of abuse, hate, greed, and depression of reality in the shadowing of a hopeless life and death. Watching this distortion of reality can persuade us to consider satisfying our wants and goals with “what if I…,” so that now even our friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors have bought into thinking that Godless living isn’t that bad. Mature Christians see this deception, but the naïve think the previous generation is foolish. Some think that maybe human rights have everything to do with not offending others and nothing to do with the absolute morality that cannot exist without God's holiness.

Consider Moses’s warnings about Godless influences affecting the people of Israel:

1. God allows false prophets to speak for good reason. If a prophet or dreamer gives a sign or a wonder and urges you to follow other gods, Moses instructed Israel not to listen to their words (Deut 13:1–2). God allowed such false prophets to test the love of the people of Israel (Deut 13:3). God commanded Israel to react by putting false prophets to death civilly (Deut 13:5). Jesus warned of the coming of false prophets, and the New Testament writers also depicted the false works of false prophets (Matt 24:24; 2 Thess 2:9; Rev 13:13–14). Today, Christians are to examine themselves to pass the test (2 Cor 13:5–8). Will you continue to choose Christ or will you choose just once to deny Him? What affect could one sin have on the rest of your life and eventually the hope of eternal life? Maybe you'll be like Peter and repent or maybe you'll be like Judas.

2. God opposes the worship of false gods for good reason. All other gods are false gods. Why recognize lies as though equal to the truth? Other religions are not equal to Christianity and have no place in comparison. Moses taught Israel to put to death by stoning anyone including brother, mother, son, daughter, wife, or friend who try to entice Israel to serve other gods secretly (Deut 13:6–11). To draw someone away from the true God is to draw people away from the only standard of morality and righteousness. To follow other gods is an absurdity for choosing to follow the inventions of ignorant people.

3. God commanded the destruction of everything connected with false gods for good reason. If some deceived a city to go after other gods, then Moses commanded Israel to inquire diligently to prove it true (Deut 13:12–14). If a city had gone after other gods, then Israel must devote them to destruction by the sword (13:14–15). God commanded that all the spoil of the city be burned as an offering to God (13:16). Moses instructed that Israel take nothing from the spoil so the LORD may show mercy and compassion on Israel. God would not multiply the nation if they did not obey the LORD, keep His commands, and do what is right in His sight (Deut 13:17–18).

For the Christian, God commands His church to withdraw from false teachers (Rom 16:17–18; Titus 3:10; 2 John 10–11). While Christ ate with sinners, His closest friends were His disciples. Christians may eat with sinners to bring them to Christ, yet God also commanded by Paul, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God” (2 Cor 6:14–16). God commands His people to “go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the LORD, and touch no unclean thing” (2 Cor 6:17).

            Thank God that He is not a distant impersonal watchmaker. God is not far from any one of us so that we can find Him anywhere (Acts 17:26–27). God has warned us repeatedly of the lies in the world. Thank God that He has given us Christ as the cornerstone and rock of our faith.