Tag: subtraction

Deuteronomy: The Second Giving Of The Law (XIII)

Neither Addition Nor Subtraction (12:1-32)

Neal Pollard

It is woven into the language of Moses’ words in this chapter. Four times, he tells Israel, “Be careful” (13, 19, 28, 32). He begins the chapter pointing out the Lord’s statutes and judgments (1), then ends the chapter with the fourth of four references regarding all that God commanded them to do (11,14,28,32). 

There are prohibitive commands in this chapter. Thus, he says “you shall not” (4,8,16,23-25,31-32), “do not” (13,19,30), and “you are not” (17,30). There are positive mandates. The word “shall” is found 31 times in these 32 verses. There were things they absolutely could not do, but also things they were absolutely expected to do. These commands were not arbitrary and capricious. They were for the good and benefit of the people. 

These commands were in response to the good God had done for them, blessing them in the past (7). These commands were to be obeyed in trust and anticipation of what God was going to do for them (8-11). They had the freedom of choice in many areas (15-22). Yet, even where God restricted and specified, He had the best interest of the people at heart. That included their yet unborn offspring who would benefit from these people’s obedience (28-31). 

God is not ambiguous here. He does not expect Israel to read His mind. Instead, He tells them what He desires from them. His concluding statement demands our attend. Regarding their response to His commands, God says, “you shall not add to nor take away from it” (32b). He knew our tendency to try and “help Him out” regarding His instructions. Sometimes, we tack on our own rules and laws and go further than He did in His commands. Perhaps we think we can improve on or prompt people’s submission by throwing up additional safeguards and conditions. This was a problem with the Pharisees (cf. Matt. 15:9; 23:16-24). We should not make obeying God harder than God does!

Sometimes, we try and nullify or lessen the commands God gives. What God has tied down, we may seek to untie and say they are unnecessary. We take the “nots” out of His “thou shalt nots.” We do not have license to permit what He prohibits (cf. Gal. 1:6-9; Rom. 6:1-2). This occurs when we let some alternative standard take the place of God’s will, whether the culture, feelings, traditions, family, or some other source be our rule in His place. Making our own laws or breaking His laws puts us in the same predicament. We are adding to or taking away from His commands. How does He feel about that? Look at the closing argument of the entire Bible. Scripture says, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19). God takes His will seriously, and He wants us to do the same! 

Selling What You Don’t Own

Neal Pollard

One of the more ingenious and amusing entrepreneurial moves I’ve ever heard is the company that offers to sell you a star.  For a price, you can buy a star and name it for a loved one.  The company will send you a gift pack along with registering the star in the name of the one you, the buyer, designate.  I have never been able to figure out how that company earned the right to sell something no one will ever visit, hold, or otherwise show tangible ownership of.

When I think about some of the new, strange religious ideas along with some long held, established ones, it reminds me of the folks selling the stars.  Preachers and whole denominations offer salvation on their own terms, altering and subtracting from the Lord’s established will as if salvation was theirs to offer.  They urge people to pray a prayer or accept Christ in their hearts, guaranteeing them salvation by so doing.  Or they tell a seeker that the Holy Spirit will irresistibly come upon them, filling them and by so doing indicate an experience of grace.  Or they urge parents to sprinkle their babies, saving them from what they call inherited sin.  The problem in all these scenarios is that people are offering what is not theirs to give.  Christ has already established the plan that saves the lost person—hearing the gospel (Rom. 10:17), believing it (Rom. 10:10), repenting of sins (Rom. 2:4; 6:17-18), confessing Christ (Rom. 10:10), and being buried in water in order to enjoy the new life in Christ (Rom. 6:1-4).

The same things occurs with worship.  People claim to stand in the place of Christ and tell others what is and is not acceptable to God.  They propose changes in who can lead in worship (cf. 1 Tim. 2:11-12), how worship music is to be done (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), and when the Lord’s Supper can be taken (1 Cor. 11:23-26; Acts 20:7).  Some would say that dance, weightlifting, incense-burning, drama, and the like are acts of worship God will accept, though they do so without a scintilla of appeal to the New Testament.

When it comes to the will of God, He has exclusive rights over that.  Christ does not share His authority with anyone (Mat. 28:18).  He makes the rules and determines right and wrong.  Beware of anyone who is selling anything else (cf. 2 Cor. 2:17).