MOSAIC LAW HIGHLIGHTS
IMPARTIAL JUSTICE, ACCEPTANCE OF GENTILE CHRISTIANS. The third festival was also called the Festival of Booths, or Tabernacles, and was associated with the end of harvest ingathering from the fields—a time of great thanksgiving to Jehovah for His blessing on their fruitful land. They were to make “booths” from palm fronds, boughs of trees and poplars, which each family would occupy for the seven days of the festival. These were to be constructed in and around Jerusalem, on roofs, in courtyards and public squares, and along roads within a Sabbath day’s journey. Consider what this meant: Rich and poor alike were all to dwell in these booths made from the same materials from the hills and countryside near Jerusalem, eating within them. What a fine reminder of the equality with which God looked upon all of His people. In the Law, God reminds judges, at Leviticus 19:15: “15 “‘You must not be unjust in your judgment. You must not show partiality to the poor or show preference to the rich. With justice you should judge your fellow man.” Also in Job, Elihu made this statement regarding Jehovah: “19 There is One who does not show partiality to princes And who does not favor the rich over the poor, For they are all the work of his hands.” (Job 34:19). Thus, Peter’s assessment is applicable, when he stated at Acts 10:34,35: “34 At this Peter began to speak, and he said: “Now I truly understand that God is not partial, 35 but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” Therefore, may we treat others impartially, with true love, encouraging them to practice what is right before God, and find God’s acceptance and blessing for them and ourselves. Spiritual wealth and wisdom is even more advantageous than material wealth. While both, even scripturally, have advantages, Proverbs 10:22 refers more to spiritual riches in saying: “22 It is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich, And He adds no pain with it.” Ecclesiastes 7:12 adds: “12 For wisdom is a protection just as money is a protection, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner.” May we treasure spiritual things and eternal life and happiness more than anything else in this temporary life, moving us to be faithful and keep integrity to our Loving God and Father, Jehovah.
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MOTIVATION TO REPENTANCE. Peter's words read this way: "Beloved ones, this is now the second letter I am writing you in which, as in my first one, I am stirring up your clear thinking faculties by way of a reminder, 2 that you should remember the sayings previously spoken by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3 First of all know this, that in the last days ridiculers will come with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as they were from creation’s beginning.” Peter goes on to remind Christians that such ones "deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; 6 and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water." Therefore, just as God judged an evil, violent world in Noah's day, so He stands ready to remove evil ones on a coming day of judgment. (Prove 2:20-22). May such ones repent of any such thoughts and activity, being remorseful over their disappointing and harmful conduct, that God may bless their sincere repentance, and help them find true happiness in life, even with a loyal marriage partner to share life with in the coming new world. May as many as possible appreciate God's mercy and love for his human creation, and respond accordingly, seeking to please our loving God by careful obedience and adherence to His wise and loving standards.