I don't know about you, but when I read a verse that ends with, “I am the Lord your God,” I sit up straighter, lean in, and listen with more attentive ears. It's like when you were growing up. As a kid, nothing said, “Listen to me, I'm serious,” more than Mom or Dad using a phrase like this. So, let's take a few minutes to delve deeper into what God is revealing about Himself through today's passage. Specifically, what does this passage reveal to us about God's character as it relates to community?

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Thousands of years ago, a man, called by God to lead God's chosen nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, wrote down a series of laws. The man's name was Moses, and the nation of Israel likely numbered in the millions. With this many people, established law and order was a necessity, and so God revealed His law to Moses. Moses recorded these laws just as God revealed them to him.

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The “Law of Moses” contains over 600 laws spread throughout the first five books of the Bible. Most of these laws do not make applicable sense when viewed in modern context, but they still give insight into God's character. Leviticus 19:9-10 gives us unique insight into God's plan of provision for His people. So, let's look at it in a context we can better understand today.

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In those days, raising food was the primary occupation of the majority of the people. It's estimated that each day it would take four million pounds of food to feed two million-plus people. With cropland in such high demand, it was inevitable that some families had acquired much land, some less, and some none.

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At harvest time, a field owner would hire harvesters to reap the crop. The method of harvesting by hand resulted in some of the crop being missed or dropped during the first reap. This could amount from 10% to 20% of the total crop. In fertility cults that existed in that age, this portion of crop was to be left untouched as an offering to the gods of the ground. But God halted that idolatrous practice with this law. His instruction on reaping ensured all Israelites, and the foreigners residing with them, were provided for. No provision went to waste. It wasn't charity, as we think of the word today. All classes of people worked to harvest the field.

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In Leviticus 19:9-10, God crushes idolatry while providing for the field owner, the harvester, the poor, and the foreigner. A community of people, all benefiting from this law of God's provision. This one law speaks volumes about God's character and His ideal plan for community.

For the past several months, and more months to come, ACF Church is focusing on a life of restoration. Ruth chapter 2 is an excellent example of how God's law restored the life of a poor, widowed foreigner with the law given in Leviticus 19:9-10. Through this law, a ripple became a tidal wave, washing ashore with the birth of our Savior.

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Now that you understand Leviticus 19:9-10 in context, how do you see God's heart for community restoring your own community?

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With over 600 laws, are there others that reveal God's restorative efforts in your life? Leviticus chapter 19 is a short read and an excellent place to start reaping.

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What more can you glean from the Law of Moses? Leave nothing to go to waste. Ask God to reveal Himself through His law.

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“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes” (Psalm 19: 7-8).