December 26, 2022

Passage Read: Deuteronomy 20-23
Meditation Verse: 23:7

Thought

The Lord said that He loved Jacob but hated Esau, such that he would destroy their land and nation. But He did not allow the Israelites to hate them, and in fact made provision for their descendants to be added to Israel from the third generation onward. They and the Egyptians could be included as Israel from the third generation, but Moabites and Ammonites were unwelcome for at least ten generations. There was hope for the Edomites, more than for Lot's descendants, even though the Lord hatred them as a nation and declared His rejection of them.

Application

Even if God rejects a nation, there is still hope for individuals. And interestingly, if he rejects a nation, that falls harder on men than women. Ruth is a Moabitess, but she is not held to the ten generation requirement, even though it was the Moabite women who caused the Israelite men to sin, they were not held accountable in the same way as the men. Those in authority are the ones held most responsible. Those under authority can experience more grace. But if anyone claims to understand, they are held to account according to the understanding they claim. It is better to be humble and insignificant than to demand rights I don't deserve.