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Do you Remember Rod, when…?
Rod ShimabukuroWhen you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 22Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this. Deuteronomy 24:21-22
Three times in the closing writings of Ch. 24 (V. 17-22), foreigners, fatherless and widows are mentioned. The big theme is provision, not depriving but rather caring for these people. There are 2 mentions in this closing section of the Lord’s commands - to remember that the children of Israel were once slaves in Egypt. Remember who you were, where you came from and what happened. In V. 18, the Big Highlight…! The Lord Your God redeemed you for there!
In family and friend gatherings, there’s usually a lot of “catching up - talk story” kinds of conversations. Many times, included during these times is the question, “Remember when…?” For me, this has included fun, great, challenging, reckless…times in my life. Remember when we used to…?
- I do remember when…I was a foreigner to God. I was “lost, not God!” A worldly foreigner, ensnared and living according to my own rules and ways. Thank God - I was never fatherless, because God my Father, was, is and has always been my Father. Whether I recognized Him or not, His love never stopped reaching out towards me. In my “Egypt” world, representing my years of living in bondage to another master (called sin and self), HE REDEEMED ME. He brought me out, touched and saved me through a relationship with Jesus!
- My call is to remember the poor, less fortunate, hurting, single parent children, elderly…anyone whom God places in front of me. To love and not despise them. To care for and not deprive them. To serve and make provision in ways that He leads me.
Help me to live beyond my self Lord! To remember and hear Your command to help, support, serve, give, love… to be Your hands, voice, love…to provide for people You place in my path.
I want to hear You saying…Do You Remember Rod, when…? In my slavery You spared me. May I be a redeemer, used by You, to spare others in ways that bring You honor!
