Daily Word: Don't Edit

Deuteronomy 4:1-2,5-6 says: "Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'" (NKJV) Notice the underlined sections. They provide very important teaching.

First, we are to listen to God's statutes and judgments. The Hebrew word for listen is shama and it means not just to hear, but to have the hearing impact your actions. Listening is not just mental to the Hebrew, it includes transformation as a result of the hearing. Second, hearing and obeying leads to life. The reverse would be true by implication. To refuse to listen Hebraically is to invite death and destruction. Third, don't add to God's instructions and do not take anything away from them. I fear for Christian denominations that have taken away the Sabbath, the festivals, and Biblical celebrations and replaced them with the pagan holidays of Christmas and Easter and changed the day of worship to Sun-day. The warning is not to put words in God's mouth, nor take any out. Our duty is to hear and obey, and not edit. Finally, our obedience is our wisdom. It stands to reason that if we obey what God tells us to do, then we will be wise. God knows all that can be known. His advice is perfect. We would do well not to substitute ours for His.

Today, ask yourself how you line up with this teaching. Are there areas of your life that you have decided that you know best? If so, that way leads to death. Obedience is always the best path to follow. If you do, you will be wise.