Deuteronomy 23 and 24 are a continuation of a variety of laws. Some deal with those people who should not be allowed to live among the Israelites. Several kinds of people are excluded because of deformity or sin even many generations after the sin is committed. The Edomites are to be allowed in the assembly of the Lord because they are relatives. Can you remember who went to Edom? Interestingly, Egyptians are to be welcome because the Israelites were resident aliens in their land.

Many of the other rules regard proper conduct: personal and in business. Many of them teach about how to deal with the poor: showing them mercy and compassion.

Romans 5 begins with the statement that because we are justified by faith we have peace with God through Jesus. This is the reason for the passing of the peace during worship. We are at peace because we have been forgiven.

Paul acknowledges that even in our forgiven state we may suffer. Most of us these days don’t accept suffering well. We don’t understand why anyone must suffer. But Paul knows that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,and hope does not disappoint us. If we are able to endure through our suffering we become stronger.

We remember that Christ suffered because of our weakness and sin. Even while we were sinners Christ died for us. Even while we were his enemies God reconciled us to himself.

Paul makes the comment that when law came in trespass or sin multiplied. This is an odd statement. Could it be related to the fact that God through the law we recognize when we sin. And when we are made aware of our sin we are then accountable for it and need to atone for it. That atonement has come for us through Jesus Christ. We have been justified before God. It is just as if we have not sinned. Therefore we, who deserve death, now experience eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.