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Precept (vss 1-6)
- The seven-year cycle of debt forgiveness for brothers. If it’s a stranger you’re allowed to continue collecting on your debt.
Purpose (vss 4-6)
- The LORD says to the Israelites, I want you to participate in this life as I do. I want you to think as I think. I want you to bless as I bless. I want you to partake of my divine nature.
- Second, the Lord wants to be able to bless His people. And that can only happen if they follow the law and open their hands.
Pitfall (vss 7-9)
- There are predictable hindrances to this spiritual fruit of goodness.
- The wicked and hardened heart is expressed when you know what good to do, but you calculate the potential loss to be not worth the good.
- Wicked heart, hardened heart, sin unto thee
- Withhold good because you won’t be able to collect on it
- Not only give but give generously and joyously
- James says sin is knowing to do good, but not doing it. In this case, the reason you won’t do it is that you might not get back what you loaned out.
Power (vs 10)
- Victory over sin
- Look to the LORD to reward you and be generous. That’s trusting him.
- Circumcision of the flesh by the word of God, identifying the thoughts and intents of the heart. And by this word of God discerning thoughts that come from the flesh and thoughts that are godly, a soul is able to participate in God’s divine nature.
