READING: Deuteronomy 17-20
The mandate for the people of God to “purge the evil” from among them was a consistent one we will hear again and again in the book of Deuteronomy. The God who required His people to give only their best to Him—never sacrificing to Him an animal with defect (Deut 17:1)—also expected His people to be holy.
Indeed, the penalties He announced for evil might seem harsh, but He would not allow holiness to be optional for people who were His own. For example, if the people found someone in their midst who had turned to worship other gods, they were to put that person to death; they “must purge the evil from you” (Deut 17:7). If someone whose case came before the priests and the judges arrogantly refused to listen to their verdict, he was to be put to death; the leaders “must purge the evil from Israel” (Deut 17:18).
We are wise to hear these words today and choose to purge any evil within our own lives. As long as we allow any sin to reign in our lives, we hinder our witness, hamper our prayers, and rob ourselves of our joy. Allowing the evil to remain is simply not worth it.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Is there any evil in your life you must purge?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, help me to see anything I must purge—even if I don’t recognize today that it’s there.”
MONDAY’S READING: Deuteronomy 21-24