And God spoke all these words: "I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. "You shall have no other gods before Me. "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in Heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments. "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name. "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. "You shall not murder. "You shall not commit adultery. "You shall not steal.
"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (NIV)
Thoughts
About 1900 in America there was what is referred to as "market hunting." Market hunting was where hunters killed wild animals and sold them in the market for food. People that didn't hunt purchased the animals for their meat source. It was legal at the time, but was devastating wildlife populations.
Sport hunters of the day realized that if it continued there wouldn't be any wildlife left. These early conservationists went to the government and lobbied for wildlife management agencies on both the federal and state levels.
These early conservationists understood that we had to restrict the number of animals we killed every year and the means by which we killed them. Hence we now have game laws that are implemented to protect and preserve wildlife at sustainable and healthy levels.
The laws, while we may consider them to be restrictive, are there for the wildlife's protection and for our benefit so that we, and future generations, will have wild animals to enjoy.
(Cliff S)
Action Point
Many people choose to look at God's laws as being restrictive. Many today choose to make their own rules and ignore God's laws altogether. A great many people will mock and criticize those of us that take God's laws seriously and want them to be a basis for social behavior by calling us judgmental.
But, what is the real purpose of God's laws? They are there for our protection and well being. God knows what is best for us. If we follow His laws, we will avoid many severe consequences.
Consider an example. Laws that prohibit drunk or impaired driving and boating are restrictive. But, they are there to protect ourselves and other people that are on the road or on the water. So, are they good for us? Yes!
So are God's laws. They are there to protect us from negative consequences, physical and spiritual, and guide us into a better life.
And, let's not forget Jesus' summation of the Law in Matthew 22:37-40, "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments,' " (NIV).
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Primary firearm safety "laws" are:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
- Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
- Be sure of your target and beyond.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
Good laws for us to follow . . .
