S)"10 And all the officials and all the people obeyed who had entered into the covenant that each man should set free his male servant and each man his female servant, so that no one should keep them any longer in bondage; they obeyed, and set them free. "
Jeremiah 34:10 (NASB)
O) This was part of the old covenant. When some one owed you something they couldn't repay, and they had to work for you as a bond-servant, you could only keep them in service for 7 years. After the end of that term, they had to be set free and their debt was to be forgiven. Just before the above verse, King Zedekiah had just ordered that everyone release their servants. Just after the above verse, they all take their servants back under bondage and God decrees punishment for breaking that covenant.
A) In my world, not many people owe me money. Certainly, no one owes me so much money that they have to work it off, over a period of 7 years. Having said that, though, people have owed me other things. I've been owed an apology, respect, courtesy, gratitude, etc. It has happened that, without really trying or meaning to do so, I've caught myself holding on to these ledgers in my heart. It's not that I was intentionally holding something against the person, but I just realized I was sort of tracking a balance sheet, almost subconsciously. This is dangerously close to unforgiveness. Instead, I need to appreciate the new covenant I have in Jesus Christ and make conscious effort to let people off the hook, especially when they "owe me," and I shouldn't be waiting 7 years to do it.
P) Father, You knew my debt was far to great for me to ever payoff. In 7 thousand years, I was never going t be able to repay You. Instead, Jesus redeemed me by Your grace, God. Holy Spirit, help me keep this in mind as I encounter people who owe me something. Make me fully aware of just how much I need grace, and let that make me gracious to others. Help me to consciously erase debts, wherever I have the power to do so, even if it's just in my own heart. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
A) In my world, not many people owe me money. Certainly, no one owes me so much money that they have to work it off, over a period of 7 years. Having said that, though, people have owed me other things. I've been owed an apology, respect, courtesy, gratitude, etc. It has happened that, without really trying or meaning to do so, I've caught myself holding on to these ledgers in my heart. It's not that I was intentionally holding something against the person, but I just realized I was sort of tracking a balance sheet, almost subconsciously. This is dangerously close to unforgiveness. Instead, I need to appreciate the new covenant I have in Jesus Christ and make conscious effort to let people off the hook, especially when they "owe me," and I shouldn't be waiting 7 years to do it.
P) Father, You knew my debt was far to great for me to ever payoff. In 7 thousand years, I was never going t be able to repay You. Instead, Jesus redeemed me by Your grace, God. Holy Spirit, help me keep this in mind as I encounter people who owe me something. Make me fully aware of just how much I need grace, and let that make me gracious to others. Help me to consciously erase debts, wherever I have the power to do so, even if it's just in my own heart. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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