Intolerance

Deuteronomy 17 to 19

There is a very clear intention

Stated in these chapters

About not tolerating

Any evil.

None.

Not even a little.

The people are told

Over and over

That it must be purged

From among them. 

This seems so extreme.

This perfect standard of holiness and purity.

And yet

You and I would find it

Absurd

If the Bible stated

that it would be okay

To tolerate a little bit of evil.

There is a perfect impossible standard

And Israel

And you and I…?

We could never stand up under it.

Until Grace.

Unless Grace.

Amazing Grace.

God did not leave His People to find this perfect way without a guide or to wander about aimlessly.

God gave prophets and put His Words in their mouths (Ch 18:18)  I love that!

As much talk

As there is about

Putting to death

And stoning people

And purging evil

There is this call to love

To Love the LORD your God

With all your heart

And with all your soul

And with all your strength and mind.

And to walk in all His Ways

And not to turn to left or to the right.

To keep the eyes of my heart focused solely on Him.

To be busy

Consumed

With giving my own first-fruits

And not someone else’s

To God

My offerings

Imperfect

Broken, honest pieces

Incomplete without His Grace.

And I keep coming to this place.

This piece of sacred ground

Where I reach for God’s Promises

Of Grace

And of Mercy

Knowing who I am

And who I am not

In the context of fully belonging to God