HERE THE LORD tells His people they were to exercise care as to whom they allowed to enter the camp for it was not merely the camp of Israel but "the congregation of the Lord." He dwelt in their midst and He Himself instructed them in everything suited to His presence. We could not take some of these things in a literal sense and apply them in that way today for Jesus has died and grace has triumphed over all the demands of the law. Those whom the law once kept outside grace brings in, to sit down in God's presence and to enjoy all the privileges and blessings of His people. "For there is no difference . . .: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him." Rom. 10:1212For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (Romans 10:12).
The heathen practices of the nations were an abomination to the Lord and Israel were not to adopt them. They were not to allow among them things which would be a reproach to Him. However, Israel's history shows that they did not heed the word of the Lord. They did follow many of the customs of the East.
One born out of corrupt circumstances, such as adultery, was not to be introduced among the people of God.
Neither the Ammonite nor the Moabite could enter the congregation of the Lord to the tenth generation, that is, forever. This was not because of the terribly humbling circumstances of the birth of their forefathers, but because of their avowed enmity to the true people of God. They refused bread and water to Israel their brethren when they were come out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam to curse them, though God turned the curse into a blessing. They might claim a family connection with the favored children of Abraham, yet they were the inveterate enemies of God and His people, and we see here how the government of God follows them throughout their history. Again they are like the false professor who claims a place in the church but in whose heart there is no love for Christ but often bitter enmity.
"Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother." This is remarkable and perhaps not a little surprising. Often we may not understand all the Lord says and does, but we can be sure He is right and one day we shall see it all perfectly. The world says one must see first to believe, but faith first believes and then sees.
The Egyptian was included with the Edomite. "Thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land." The Egyptian was merely a man of the world and Israel were not to harden their heart against them. In the millennial glory when the earth is brought into blessing, Egypt shall be blessed along with Israel and Assyria. When the King reigns over all the earth, "princes shall come out of Egypt" (Psa. 68:3131Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. (Psalm 68:31)), and God in grace will say, "Blessed be Egypt My people."
We learn from these scriptures that Israel were not left to choose for themselves in these different cases. The Lord decided all for them beforehand. And how thankful we should be that we have One to whom we can go for wisdom in meeting all the varied needs and problems of life here in this world — One who loves to have us come and confide in Him. He never grows weary and happy are we if we learn to take everything — even the littlest things — to Him in prayer.
Messages of the Love of God 10/5/1975