DCLM Daily Manna 17 January 2021 – Show Consideration For Others
Topic: Show Consideration For Others
Text: Exodus 21:26-36 (KJV)
26 And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake.
27 And if he smite out his manservant’s tooth, or his maidservant’s tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth’s sake.
28 If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.
29 But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.
30 If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.
31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.
32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
33 And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;
34 The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.
35 And if one man’s ox hurt another’s, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide.
36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.
Key Verse: “And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein; The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his” (Exodus 21:33, 34).
MESSAGE:
Often, people are consumed by the pursuit of their selfish goals, to the detriment of the interests of others. They are convinced that the end justifies the means; that if they do not protect their interests, others will simply trample them underfoot. In the event, they become unmindful of how their selfish actions affect other people.
But the almighty God who is perfect in wisdom and excellent in counsel is by far more equitable and considerate than man. Everyone matters in His sight. He would, therefore, not countenance the maltreatment of even a bond slave, or the wicked acts of a master against his paid servant. He imposed a price on anyone who treated the less fortunate very badly. Even those who neglected to put their animals under control had a price to pay were the animals to kill or injure other people, or damage other people’s property.
What others may consider as a mere act of carelessness is an offense before God. When a man forgot to cover a pit he dug and someone’s animal fell into it, or someone’s animal killed another’s, the owner of the offending animal is required to pay a reparation for the dead animal, especially if it was known that the animal had a habit of running wild without restraint from its owner.
At all times, we must observe politeness, caution and consideration in our personal relationships with others. We should not seek to exact, justify or provoke revenge from others no matter how lowly placed in life. Punishment for offenses must not be too harsh lest it becomes unfair, nor should we in the pretext of leniency justify indulgence and reckless living, lest it becomes sinful.
Thought For The Day: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
