LAW / GRACE/ FREEDOM :: The Empires

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE’RE REVIEWING CHRISTIAN MEDIA.

On the fourth Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the RHW 2022 Theme: God’s Law, Grace & Freedom.

“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for true freedom!”

While there are multiple empires that influenced, ruled and even oppressed the Israelite people throughout the Old Testament. For the purpose of this article we will focus on the Greek and Roman empires and their influence on Christianity.

As with all Old Testament history, it’s amazing to see how God uses the pagan nations and rulers to complete His plan and purpose. This is seen clearly through studying the Greek and Roman empires and the various revolts and exiles that impacted the Israelites up to and even after the time of Christ.

From Alexander the Great’s Greek Hellenistic culture to Caesar Augustus’ Roman rule, God used their laws to bring about the prophetic timing for the birth of Jesus Christ our Messiah who would ultimately rule from a place of true peace. His kingdom brought amazing grace and true freedom to a lost and dying world!

Be blessed by this beautiful worship song from Bethel Music and Josh Baldwin.

RESOURCES

The ESV Study Bible

The Chronological Study Bible

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS STUDY | Be Trustworthy

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.

You shall not steal.~ Exodus 20:15

The eighth commandment is about more than just taking possessions from another person. There are multiple ways and things that people steal. In the long run, we are ultimately stealing from the God of the Universe!

    • An employer stealing from their employee by paying poor wages
    • An employee stealing from their boss by goofing off instead of working
    • An citizen stealing from the government by not paying taxes due
    • A business stealing from customers by falsely advertising their product

A person with the mindset of taking from others had that habit formed in them from their early childhood by parents who were either totally oblivious or were too lazy to train their child in godly ways.

God requires obedience to His law because it is what is best for the individual as well as a community. Partial obedience is still disobedience.

Let’s strive to be trustworthy. To live a life honoring God and all He has for us!

UPDATE YOUR MEMORY

Our memory aid for the Eighth Commandment shows us the image of a burglar wearing a mask in the shape of an 8, reminding us not to steal anything!

Take a few minutes and glean wisdom from Dennis Prager’s teaching on The Eighth Commandment. Be blessed!

RESOURCES:

The Evidence Bible

Thompson Chain Reference Bible

New Living Parallel Study Bible

Spirit-Filled Life Bible

The Rational Bible: Genesis by Dennis Prager

The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager

The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung

Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg

The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody

The Evidence Bible: Ten Commandments Memory Aid

Image Credit: alexlmx