On that day they read aloud from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and there was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. So when they heard the law, they excluded all foreigners from Israel.
This passage takes some background. Before Israel was a nation, God blessed Abraham and everyone related to him. Lot was Abraham's nephew whom God delivered from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot's wife was turned to salt because she disobeyed the LORD and looked back. As a result, the daughters of Lot had children with their father whose descendants became the nations of Ammon and Moab. Ammon is modern day Jordan and Moab is north of Jerusalem. It was not because of the incestuous backgroud of these people that they were banned by God from the temple. It is because they acted as enemies to the Jews when God led then out of Egypt in the exodus. The banning of all foreigners will change in the New Testament when Paul brings in gentile converts to the temple. These early converts were nearly stoned to death, but Paul who is a messenger of Jesus Christ is bringing in a new day where the gentile believers will be grafted into the promises of Abraham.
Daily Prayer: Lord thank you for considering me among your chosen who can worship you in faith and in truth. No longer are you pleased with the blood of animals to bring atonement for your people, but instead a contrite heart and a believing spirit. The dawning of this new day is the New Covenant given to me and all who come to you by faith. In Jesus name I pray Amen.
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