The choice that God gave through Moses (given twice in the Book of Deuteronomy - 11:26 and 30:19) echoes down the centuries to all mankind: to hear and obey the Lord our God (Sh'ma), or to close our ears (lo-sh'ma - not to hear) and rebel against His word. What is our response today? Will we choose blessing or curse, life or death? This choice, for each of us, has eternal consequences.

A brief look around the world at the rising tide of evil, even in this last month, brings this choice for us into sharp focus, for none of us can know the day when our life here on this earth will end. Who can forget the recent attacks in Paris, Brussels, Nice, Munich, Ansbach, Rouen or Orlando (and of course Israel)? Nearly 6,000 precious lives world-wide have been ended suddenly in these attacks in the past two years alone.

God's desire for His ancient Hebrew people as they were about to enter the land He was giving them (and for us in these days) was: Be sure to hear and obey my decrees and laws; choose blessing and life. His love for them was expressed by encouraging them to consecrate to Him important things such as blood, life, offerings, sacrifices and tithes, and not just to do as they saw fit (Judg 21:6, 25) or as the pagan nations did in worshipping other gods and idols.

Do we today have a clear distinction between the sacred and the profane - between the holy and the common - between God's laws and liberal worldly values? Will we respond by seeking to walk in obedience to His laws and so receive His blessing - even His gift of eternal life?

God Blesses Obedience - So That We Might Be Grateful

If we fully obey God's laws with a willing heart, He promises rich blessings (Deut 15:4-5). For Israel the sh'mittah years were such a test. Every seven years, the land was to lie fallow (enjoy its sabbaths) and all debts were to be cancelled. They could lend to the nations but not borrow; they were to be open-handed (generous) to the poor and they were to release servants. Their gratitude was to be expressed as they attended the major Feasts (mo'edim, appointed times), Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost) and Sukkot (Tabernacles) in Jerusalem, God's appointed place.

They were to bring freewill offerings, in proportion to the Lord's blessing upon them (and thus in proportion to their obedience), given first to the Lord, but also to the poor and needy, and to rejoice in God's provision. None were to come empty-handed.

When we get a pay-rise at work, or an unexpected windfall, do we put aside a portion of this as an expression of thanks? Do we give generously and willingly to charities or to those in need, in gratitude for God's blessing to us? We have so much to be thankful for, even when times are hard. Jesus commended the widow, who out of her poverty, put in two mites (but "more than all the others" because it was all she had (Luke 21:2)).

One example of this gratitude for Israel was the decree to bring tithes. A mere tenth of our wealth doesn't seem much but are we also obedient to this command? In ancient Israel there were three tithes. The first tenth (ma'aser ha'rishon) was given to the Levites, the priests - those who, without pay, dedicated their whole lives to the Lord's service (there is a parallel here for us today also). But the priests were also to give a tenth of this to the Lord (then passed on to Aaron), and it was to be the best part of this tenth, because it was a tithe to the Lord. It was to be "the Lord's portion" (Num 18:29). We fulfil this decree by giving our best tenth to the Lord and His work in obedience to His command.

The second tenth (ma'aser ha'sheni) was set aside to ensure that the family had sufficient for a meal together in Jerusalem when they attended the Feasts, so they could rejoice in the Lord's provision for them in saving money for the family holiday. They would thus have something to share so that those less fortunate could also rejoice before the Lord. This is a mitva (righteous deed) that many are still fulfilling (would you like to have lunch with us today?) as they choose to obey God's laws.

The third tithe (ma'aser ha'ani) was a gift for the poor, a charitable gift given willingly which prevents hearts from becoming hard and rebellious, and ears from 'closing' to the needs of others. God provides for us that we might both rejoice in His gifts, and care for poorer folk, so that they also may rejoice in His provision through our generosity. In this, we find blessing too.

Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good: His Chesed Endures Forever (Ps 136)

This tzedakah (love-gift) expresses our gratitude to the One whose chesed (mercy, loving-kindness, favour) is inexhaustible. Giving thanks in all circumstances is a command (1 Thess 5:17), where obedience brings blessing. But not giving thanks to God is described as godlessness and wickedness (Rom 1:18, 21). God gives us everything, our life, our wealth, our salvation, every breath we take. All we have comes from Him.

Giving Him our thanks is an appropriate response, and we have a simple choice whether to hear and obey His voice, and share his blessing of chesed with others, or to rebel against His goodness. This is a reflection of His nature, the One who shares Himself with us. Amazing thought! He says to us, "Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters and drink. Listen, listen to Me, give ear, hear Me, see My faithful love, that you may live" (Isa 55:2-3). This offer of abundant life was echoed by Jesus when He stood up during the Feast of Sukkot and cried out: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink" (itself a fulfilment of Isaiah's call). And some replied, "He is the Christ" (the Messiah, John 7:37, 41).

Nearly 90% of what the scriptures have foretold has already come to pass. This gives us confidence that the scriptures are a true guide for the coming times. God has shown us many signs in recent months and years which speak of events before Jesus' return (Matt 24; Mark 13; Luke 21). Indeed, six times Jesus Himself said, "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe, and have peace" (e.g. John 13:19; 14:29; 16:33).

Many times He told us of the signs of the end of this age, so that we should know what is coming, and not be troubled (John 14:1). He says to us: watch and pray (Matt. 24:42; Mark 13:35; Luke 21:36). John also tells us clearly that the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of falsehood is already in the world (1 John 4:6). Beloved, the hour is late. Let us listen to His voice and consider the choice that God gives us:

Choose to hear Him and obey - choose blessing - choose life.

Author: Greg Stevenson

This week's scriptures: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:7; Isaiah 54:11–55:5; John 7:37-52; 1 John 4:1-6.