Then All the People Shall Say, "Amen!"

"Amen" is generally used as an adverb of assent or confirmation-fiat, "so let it be." (fromInternational Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright © 1996, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Old Covenant: "And all the people shall answer and say, 'Amen!'" (Deuteronomy 27:15-26; NKJV)

New Covenant: "Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say 'Amen' at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?" (1 Corinthians 16:14; NKJV)

Jason Cicero

If, Then

Two of the most important words in the Laws of Moses are "if" and "then."

"If you walk in My statues and keep My commandments, and perform them, then I will..." (Leviticus 26:3-4; NKJV).

"If" is a conditional clause. "If" the people would cultivate a lifestyle of obedience to the statues and commandments of Jehovah, "then" He would bless them. "If" they failed to obey, "then" Jehovah would set His "face against" them (Leviticus 26:14, 17; NKJV).

Consider these words of Jesus: "If you love me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

Deuteronomy 25:4 and 1 Corinthians 9

"You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." (Deuteronomy 25:4; NKJV)

Consider the Holy Spirit's use of Deuteronomy 25:4 in 1 Corinthians 9. See how GOD Himself teaches us how to rightly understand His word from His use of Scripture. Read, meditate, understand and apply His word to your life...

9 For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about?

10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.

11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?

12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?

14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17; NKJV)

Jesus and Leprosy

As you read the laws of Moses concerning leprosy (Leviticus 13:1 - 14:57; Deuteronomy 24:8-9), consider Jesus.

When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." (Matthew 8:1-4; NKJV).

1. None of us is beyond His touch.

2. None of us is beyond His cleansing.

3. None of us is beyond His willingness to forgive.

Jason Cicero

Misapplying Deuteronomy 24

"Probably the worst mistake being made in this reasoning is using Moses in Deut. 24 to explain Jesus in Mt. 19 instead of using Jesus to explain Moses. There are many Old Testament passages that the Jews badly misinterpreted and are admittedly very difficult until explained in the New Testament. There is no doubt that Jesus and the Jews were discussing what was "lawful" and thus what was taught in the Old Testament. But let us not conclude that they were only discussing Deut. 24. Gen. 2:24 is part of the "law" as well and this is the part that Jesus made His appeal to." (Berry Kercheville)

Here is an excellent article on Deuteronomy 24:1-4 by Berry Kercheville.

http://focusmagazine.org/Articles/misapplyingdeut24.htm

Jason Cicero

Levirate Marriage

A form of marriage prescribed by the Law of Moses in which a man was required to marry the widow of a brother who died with no male heir. The term levirate means "husband's brother." The purpose of the law was to provide an heir for the dead brother, thereby preserving his name and estate. The law also was designed to provide for the welfare of the widows (Deut 25:5-10).

The story of Ruth and Boaz, recorded in the Book of Ruth, is a good example of the levirate form of marriage. Reference to levirate marriage was also made by the Sadducees, who tested Jesus with a question about the resurrection (Matt 22:23-33).

(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)