Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 13, 2022: SOAP #4483:  Deuteronomy 22-24; Galatians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Deuteronomy (NIV) 24:17 Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. 18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this. 19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. 21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. 22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.

OBSERVATION: If the Israelites remembered how it was to be an alien in a foreign country, they know how the alien and fatherless felt.  They would better understand these foreign people. 
–If the Israelites remembered how it was to be aliens in Egypt, they would better understand what they could do to help these people.
–If the Israelites remembered how it was to be in Egypt, they would better understand that God cared for these people. 

APPLICATION: If I remember how I came out of bondage to sin, I will better understand how to help others. 
–If I remember how God has delivered me, and helped me, and healed me, and provided for me…then I will be better able to help others understand how to have faith for the same thing. 

(Personal note:  Both my mother’s and father’s ancestors came to the USA in the 1870’s.  I need to remember that the USA is a nation built by immigration.  The aliens/foreigners now living and working among us need to be introduced to “the power/GOD that hath made and preserved us a nation!” Our national motto is “In God we trust!”  Both quotes from “The Star-Spangled Banner,” our national anthem. They need to know!) 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your loving care reaches out to all people.  I pray that it will flow through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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