SAY WHAT? (What is the passage saying?)
- Remember, God is helping the Israelites as they establish their first community. And central…to being a thriving community is the art of neighboring. God gave the Israelites tangible ways to handle lost property (1-3), emergencies (4), care for animals (6-7), and home safety (8).
- Because Israel was to be a nation set apart, God gave them tangible ways to remain distinct including how they looked (5), worked (9-10), and conducted their most personal relationships including sexual behavior (22:13-30).
SO WHAT? (What are the underlying principles?)
- God still wants us to live in community and to love our neighbors (See Matthew 22:39, Philippians 2:3-4). Followers of Jesus should go above and beyond when it comes to loving our neighbors.
- There should be something noticeably different about believers, and it should attract those who don’t believe. (See 1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 5:16)
NOW WHAT? (How will you personally apply this passage?)
- How have you gone above and beyond in showing love to your neighbors?
- Who is one person you can show exceptional generosity to this week?
- Is there a part of your life where you live like everyone else, but God is calling you to a higher standard? How would making that change make your life better? How might it draw other people to Jesus?
