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repulsive religious acts

Deuteronomy 17:1-5

Deuteronomy 17:1 “Do not sacrifice to Yahveh your God an ox or sheep with a defect or any serious flaw, because that is repulsive to Yahveh your God.
Deuteronomy 17:2 “If a man or woman among you in one of your towns that Yahveh your God will give you is discovered doing evil in the sight of Yahveh your God and violating his covenant
Deuteronomy 17:3 and has gone to serve other gods by bowing in worship to the sun, moon, or all the stars in the sky – about which I have commanded –
Deuteronomy 17:4 and if you are told or hear about it, then investigate it thoroughly. Notice if the report turns out to be true that this repulsive act has been done in Israel,
Deuteronomy 17:5 you are to bring out to your city gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing and stone them to death.

repulsive religious acts

Two repulsive religious acts are described here. First, it is repulsive to God to receive a flawed sacrifice. If we come before him with a gift of appreciation, it should be our best. A flawed sacrifice is an insult. Our acts of righteousness can be just that. Only Christ’s righteousness will do.

Secondly, it is repulsive to God for someone within the Israelite community to serve other gods. We can appreciate the beauty of the night sky, but we need to be careful to worship God only.

Lord, give us the wisdom to deliberately avoid what you find repulsive.