Addressing Negligence

Addressing Negligence

Exodus 21: ²⁸ “If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, then the ox shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be acquitted. ²⁹ But if the ox tended to thrust with its horn in times past, and it has been made known to his owner, and he has not kept it confined, so that it has killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death. ³⁰ If there is imposed on him a sum of money, then he shall pay to redeem his life, whatever is imposed on him. ³¹ Whether it has gored a son or gored a daughter, according to this judgment it shall be done to him. ³² If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

 

³³ “And if a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls in it, ³⁴ the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money to their owner, but the dead animal shall be his.

 

³⁵ “If one man’s ox hurts another’s, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide the money from it; and the dead ox they shall also divide. ³⁶ Or if it was known that the ox tended to thrust in time past, and its owner has not kept it confined, he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal shall be his own.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE spoke about animals.

 

My Observations:

• GOD spoke about oxen as tools and food that could potentially harm people.
• GOD seemed to be addressing neglect by adding clear responsibility.
• GOD shows HIS intentionality by providing rules for the children of Israel.

 

I have seen oxen but never used one as a tool. BUT GOD wants me to pay attention to this passage of scripture. I believe GOD wants all of us to accept responsibility for harming people or their stuff. This passage pertains to computers, cars, hammers, sewing machines, mixers pets and food sources.

 

GOD mentions the pay of a servant and used the exact amount that JESUS was sold for when Judas accepted his betrayal money. This is not a coincidence. When John was given the revelation of JESUS, he saw one of the four creatures as being an ox.

 

GOD said that animals would fear humans in Genesis when HE cursed the earth. This meant that part of the curse was that animals would no longer act docile, but unpredictable. Humans behave the same way. David and Solomon compare humans to oxen in their writings. GOD wants us to be intentional in caring for one another and taking responsibilities for accidents and how we respond if we are told something bad could happen if a warning is not heeded.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about animal control?
• Have you ever fallen into self-protection, trying to escape accepting responsibility for something?
• What responsibility is GOD trying to get you to assume so you can make things right?

Is my life respectful?

1 Thessalonians 4: ¹⁰ And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, ¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,

¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

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Feeling light headed I ordered another pitcher of beer. It was after work and we were blowing off steam. We stayed there for hours and we were blessed to make it back to our hotel. The desk manager said to us… “They have been trying to reach you for hours, the emergency system is not working correctly and they need you to come in.”

Again, we were blessed to make it there safely. It was hard to think but we managed to fix the problem. The county personnel could see us struggle. I vowed never to drink another drop of liquor again but I wonder what kind of impression I left.

• Whether I like it or not, someone is always watching what I do.
• Whether I like it or not, someone is paying attention to how I conduct myself.
• Whether I like it or not, someone is seeing how I act and react in difficult situations.

If I were to just withdraw from society, people would take note and if I were to make a spectacle of myself, someone would be right there soaking it in. This seems like a lot of pressure to live for other people. I mean can’t I just live for me?

• GOD allows me to make my own decisions but loves when I choose to follow HIS way.
• GOD allows me to choose to be HIS example or to be my own example outside of HIM.
• GOD allows me to be involved with others and it’s up to me to choose if I am going to show HIS way or my way.

Love is what GOD wants me to demonstrate.  HE wants me to add love more and more each day. When I show love it means I am going to get close to people. HE wants me to stay out of their “business” yet remain an example to them while demonstrating acts of kindness.

GOD wants me to work so that I won’t have to depend on others and HE desires that I set my goals on a “quiet” life that points at HIM instead of me. The purpose of my life is to be HIS example as much as I can even when I mess up.

• Is your life a good example of CHRIST?
• Are you judging others or loving others?
• Can you add a little love (action word) to your life today?

Do I need discipline?

Revelation 3:  ¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

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Oh no… not the “D” word! When I think of discipline, I think of a horrible time or a time that I couldn’t have “my way.” I mean, I want to be as wild and free as I can, yet when discipline comes then I have to slow down, sit and not get my way.

• My thoughts and ways would all be sinful if it weren’t for GOD’s discipline.
• My actions would all be focused on me if it weren’t for GOD’s discipline.
• My selfish nature would rule my life if it weren’t for GOD’s discipline.

JESUS speaks commandingly because HE lived on Earth and did not sin, not once! HE was tempted in every way I am tempted yet HE overcame the world and now has the right to be the most high. Now HE expects me to follow in HIS way the best I can, but sometimes I’m selfish.

• GOD’s discipline isn’t used for evil rather HE is just simply guiding me back to the path.
• GOD’s discipline isn’t meant to harm me rather it is used to correct my misguided thoughts.
• GOD’s discipline isn’t bad for HE uses “all” situations for good because I love HIM.

There are some things I cannot see in my life, BUT GOD can see everything in my entire life.  HE knows when and where I will sin and HE gently corrects me because HE loves me.  I have to tell you, I don’t like HIS correction, but I would rather be corrected by HIM than to be eternally punished by HIM.

JESUS says “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” The door to my heart has a lock named sin and when I confess to GOD the lock is opened and I let HIM in. I am excited about my meal with HIM!

• Are you living a wild life?
• Do you want everything your way?
• Are you fulfilling your lusts, yet still feel empty?
• Can you open your heart and let JESUS in?

I want discipline in my life.

Hebrews 12: ⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

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¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

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“Slam, click” were the sounds that proceeded our first and probably only argument. My friend and roommate would open his door to put things away. Since we had constant visitors, he would lock his closet during each interval.  I was lazily trying to catch that extra five minutes of sleep when I heard “slam, click.”

“Why don’t you keep your door open” I said from my lazy perspective. “Why don’t you put some of your stuff away” he said to me. I looked around at the piles and thought, maybe he was right.

• I really don’t like a disciplined life.
• I like living wild and free.
• I want to be as lazy as I can be so I desire wealth to have others do my work.

I never considered trials and tribulations a source of training me. I just thought they were irritating circumstances that I wanted to get out of.  When I was younger, it seemed like the circumstances were fewer and further between, now they seem to come regularly.

• GOD uses hard times to get my attention.
• GOD uses hard times to correct my path.
• GOD uses hard times train me in compassion for others.
• GOD uses hard times to show me what JESUS went through.

Hard times are very hard to swallow, but I must recognize that GOD is working on me to become a better servant. It actually takes discipline to be the servant GOD wants me to be.

• I need discipline to serve people when I don’t feel like it.
• I need discipline to love people who I think deserve punishment.
• I need discipline to give when I don’t have anything to give.
• I need discipline to try to learn about GOD instead of constantly seeking entertainment for myself.

Disciplined people tend to achieve their goals and I have always admired their training. GOD puts circumstances in my life that require me to use spiritual “muscles” like love, compassion, empathy and kindness. The longer the trial, the stronger my muscles grow.

• Are you going through a trial?
• Could it be that GOD is training you for something greater?
• Can you accept your trials and seek how GOD is maturing you in faith?