Have you helped lift an ox or donkey lately? Maybe you should! There are numerous laws Moses covers governmentally for the nation of Israel in the next few chapters. Please read the whole chapter as we will only cover certain verses.
But one that sticks out today, “You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again.” (Deuteronomy 22:4). Consider what you do when you see someone in need. Do you help or move along thinking someone else will help instead? Maybe you don’t have the time of don’t know the person that well?
See, these laws had much more to do with loving your brother or sister. Everything with the Father is about relationship. Let’s not look at commands through scripture as something laborious or burdensome. That’s just not the Father’s heart for us. He’s relational and wants to guide us in being the same.
Moses commanded the people to help one another out. He also mentions laws about helping foreigners and strangers as well. Helping with your friend’s ox in a ditch isn’t too far away from stopping to pray for someone along your path. It’s choosing to help one another practically, providing for another in need, and blessing one another with intentional acts of kindness in the name of Jesus. So… are you going to help lift someone’s ox or donkey? I hope so… and when you do… do it for the glory of God! (Colossians 3:23).
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.