SET APART

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Deuteronomy 14:2

You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and He has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be His own special treasure.


As they were about to enter through the Jordan into the promised land, Moses reminded the people of who they were and what was the implication of their being God's people.


There was a need to be separate!


Everyone mourns when one of their people dies, however the children of Israel must mourn in  a different way.


Deuteronomy 14:1

“Since you are the people of the lord your God, never cut yourselves or shave the hair above your foreheads in mourning for the dead.


Everyone eats and dines, however, they were not to eat all that others eat:


Deuteronomy 14:4,8-9,21

These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,

And you may not eat the pig. It has split hooves but does not chew the cud, so it is ceremonially unclean for you. You may not eat the meat of these animals or even touch their carcasses.

“Of all the marine animals, you may eat whatever has both fins and scales.

“You must not eat anything that has died a natural death. You may give it to a foreigner living in your town, or you may sell it to a stranger. But do not eat it yourselves, for you are set apart as holy to the lord your God.“You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.


There was a demarcation, a separation, the people of Israel were different from the people around them, they were to be set apart.


Now, was it about the food they ate, what the wore, the hair cut etc?


Not completely.


The outward show was the evidence of an inward transformation.


They were set apart from the Lord, what was dedicated to the Lord was their heart, there outside(body) now shows out what was in their inside.


The reason they did not walk in full obedience was that they dwelt in the outward show but their heart was not with the Lord.


Jesus explained:


Matthew 15:15-20

Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.”

“Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked.

“Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.

But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you.

For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.

These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”


The heart is the matter, if the heart does not submit to the Lord all the law practices would not be sincere. To walk in obedience you must give Your heart to whom you obey.


Jesus told them again:


Matthew 23:26-28

You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.

Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.


God also told prophet Samuel:


1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”


The problem is the heart, for your obedience will only be complete when you give your heart completely.


We start from the inside and then we reflect Christ work in us to the outside. Glory to God


No wonder David prayed:


Psalms 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.


We are set apart for the Lord, therefore our heart must fully be given to Him, no evil should remain there.


That is when we can truly walk in obedience and please Him in all things.


This is why we must be born again!!!


Give Your heart to the Lord.


Help us Good Lord.


PRAYER

Lord my heart is Yours I give it all to You, keep me clean and unspotted by the world or any evil. Glorify Yourself in me Dear Father. May I reflect the true nature of Your Son. Glory to Your name Lord forevermore.


He calls us blessed.


Love

@the watcher.

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