Deuteronomy

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SSquared

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Deuteronomy closes us out of the first 5 books of the Bible. Sometimes referred to as the Pentateuch.

Deuteronomy 1-2:

Deuteronomy opens with Moses giving a recap of the last 40 years. Maybe he's trying to tell them, "Please don't mess up again like last time."
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Moses is giving his farewell speech before they enter into the Promised Land. He knows he will not enter it, so he realizes his time is coming to an end. Joshua will take over the leadership.
 
Deuteronomy 3-4:

Moses continues with his speech to the Israelites.

Wow! These chapters are a GREAT overview and really begin to show a theme that is in Deuteronomy and throughout many of the OT books. The theme is "Obedience vs. Disobedience". We see when the Israelites obeyed, God blessed them. God fought for them. When they disobeyed (Baal of Peor, for example) God laid down consequences. We will continue to see this theme. It needs to become a daily reminder in our own lives.

Some of the things Moses says are just amazing. You can really hear the conviction in what he says. He truly believes God is the ONE true God. 3:22 "You must not fear them, for the LORD your God Himself fights for you." Moses KNEW without a doubt who was really fighting. And 4:35 "To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD Himself is God; there is none other besides Him." There are many other examples as well.
 
Deuteronomy 5-10:

There was so much great stuff in yesterday's reading, I didn't quite know where to even begin. The last two day's reading has a few famous passages. It's always neat to read those passages you've heard so many times, and now you have the reference where it comes from.

I really like how Chapter 5 ends. "Do not turn to the right or left." "Walk in all the way the Lord your God has commanded you". It is a challenge we can stand for today.

Chapter 6 was very powerful to me, and there is so much in there. I didn't quite know where to start. Anyone else challenged by it? We are called to love God with our heart, soul, and mind. Our entire being of who we are is to love God. Wow!

6:4 says "the Lord is one." This was a somewhat unique idea, monotheism. Other religions had many gods, but the Israelites were unique in that they followed ONE God.

6:6 says "these commandments are to be upon your hearts." This is eventually fulfilled through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We are now part of those who have the commandments upon our hearts. This is sometimes referred to as part of the 'new covenant'.

And Chapter 6 ends with the theme of obedience vs. disobedience. "Do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, so it may go well with you."

Chapter 7 is in preparation of taking the Promised Land and removing the other nations there. God knew beforehand how hard it would be for the Israelites to maintain purity and not intermingle with the other nations. It all goes along with "Be holy, for I am holy." And the blessings if they followed it...INCREDIBLE. "He will bless the fruit of your womb, crops of your land. You will be blessed more than any other people. He will not inflict on you horrible diseases." And the list goes on. In the end of Chapter 7, God will essentially take care of the battles, don't worry about fighting, God will do everything. This is so true even today. I always try to remember to pray and thank God in advance for what He will do. Knowing He goes before me in all I do.

Like I said, I found lots of stuff in yesterday's reading and there's lots more.

As for today's reading, I will just point out 10:12-13 "what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's command." My desire is to become more and more like that.

Oh, and another cool thing...something Jesus fulfilled. 10:16 says to "circumcise your hearts". This is one of Jesus' (and Paul's) big messages. Male circumcision isn't what gets you to God or gives you faith. It's circumcision of the heart. Cutting away our ugly desires and sins. Snipping it away and becoming pure in heart, thoughts, words, etc. As Paul points out in Romans, Abraham was considered to be faithful even BEFORE he was circumcised. It's always been heart circumcision God has wanted.
 
I know it's been awhile since i've done this, but we have family in town this weekend so I've got a little free time
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Deut 5-10

This are wonderful verses. but they are best summed up by
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
Deu 7:10 and requites to their face those who hate him, by destroying them; he will not be slack with him who hates him, he will requite him to his face.
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Powerful verses. Notice this, God keeps his covenant and love with those who love him and keep his commandments, but those who hate him (i.e. don't keep his commandments) he will destroy them.

It works that way today. We know Jesus, we have a relationship with Jesus, we obey Jesus' commands, Jesus won't forsake us, Jesus will tell the Father 'This one is one of mine.'


I've posted earlier today about Christian needs, and how God helps those who work and love Him. Let's remember this as we go about our business on a daily basis. Remember that when we know Christ and show Christ's love in our actions, we we act with Christ's love, that Christ will bless us and touch our lives
 
Deuteronomy 11-16:

Does all of this sound somewhat familiar? Much of this is still Moses summarizing what just happened over the last 40 years. He is following the command of God to tell our children and grandchildren about what happened during the desert wanderings and how God was continually providing for them. Remember, the people he is talking to were not around for the early parts of the journey. That whole generation had died.

11:26 is a key point, and is sort of the theme, as I have stated previously. We read specifically about obey vs. obedience and blessings vs. curses. "...the blessing if you obey the command of the Lord...the curse if you disobey the command of the Lord your God." The great thing is, when we are talking about God, His blessings are more than we can ever imagine.

The other point I wanted to bring up is in Chapter 15. I love the whole cancel debt thing and watching out for our brothers/sisters. Maybe because this has been something stirring in my heart for a few months. When one person is hurting, we are all hurting. I would love to see the church really step up and care for our own. So often, it seems like we shy away. I admit, I fall short in this area myself. It was much easier when I was single to help someone financially. Anyway, it is a vision I have had (one of many) to see church members reaching out either financially or with cooked meals to help those who are hurting. Unfortunately, I do not have the gift of administration, so my ideas just sit in my head.
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I will step off my soapbox now.
 
Amen!  Awesome insight as usual.  God really does bring home in Deut. the importance and consequences of obedience vs. disobedience.  We need only look at our own personal lives to confirm this fact.  I know that when I am not spending the time with the Lord that I should be, and doing just little things that might be displeasing to him (disobedience) my life seems to be in a tizzy.  

Make yourself aware.  Take note, when things seem to be out of sorts ask yourself if you've been "disobedient".  This could be as simple as not spending time in the word or in prayer.  It doesn't have to be as drastic as going out and killing somebody or stealing.  Disobedience to God does not necessarily have to be those "obvious" things.  It can even be as simple as placing your loved ones before God.  

So keep a sharp eye.  Always be aware of your actions, as it may be just as simple as walking over that bum lying in the alleys of life.  

There are many angels unaware in life, simply placed here as a test to see what you will do.  It could be your lonely, elderly neighbor who is just aching for someone to speak to them.  Someone to care enough to simply say "Jesus loves you".  Those three little words, so simple for us to do, can have such an impact on that persons life.  

I totally agree, it is time for the Christian family to step out and help those in need.  You just never know when you are encountering an "Angel Unaware".  God Bless you all.  Oh, and by the way, "Jesus Loves You".
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That is such a wonderful reminder.  I had read your message this morning, and on the way to work it really struck me.  I started praying for obedience.  I prayed something simple like "Help me obey You today."  I mean, that's it.  I'm sure I had prayed it many times, but it really struck me today as I prayed.  It wasn't just words, it was with my whole heart, soul, and mind. And then I just started contemplating on it.  So thanks for your thoughts.

Well, I was just about to write some thoughts from today's reading, but my wife went to bed and the lights are off.  There were some things that really struck me, but now I can't see the pages of my Bible.  Yeah, I know I can look on the web, but it's like I have to see it EXACTLY the way I saw the words before.  I have an image of the pages in my head.  I hope this makes sense.  Anyway...until tomorrow.  Hmmm.  Actually most of you are probably already asleep.  It's 11 PM West Coast.
 
Deuteronomy 17-23:

Let me start by saying these last few days of reading has a general theme for me. There has been a continual theme of obeying and today we read about purging the sin from the Israelites. Granted, I'm not personally doing those sins mentioned, but it makes me desire to purge and rid myself of those sins I do commit, many of which I may not even realize.

17:14-20 is VERY interesting. Especially knowing what will take place later. What's interesting is Moses is prophesying here. He knows the people will ask for a king to rule over them. As we'll read later, the Israelites shout in 1 Samuel 8:19 says: "No! We want a king over us." Keep these points in mind. "The king must not acqauire great numbers of horses for himself." "He must not take many wives." "He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold." But what he IS supposed to do is: "write this law on a scroll. He is to read it all teh days of his life." The king is to be a faithful servant of God. When we read Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, we will see what happens. Did the kings obey or disobey?

20:2 is so cool. I can't remember if I've mentioned this in an earlier book, but the priests (actually the ark) tended to lead the battles. In fact, Malohaut's post earlier today discussed this point as well. We've already read about the Red Sea. The ark went in first. And we will read many more accounts later where you will see the priests and the ark leading the battle. The ark is a representation of God leading the way.

Just a little bit of reference to the people listed in Chapter 23...The Ammonites and Moabites are the children of Lot, Abraham's nephew. The Moabites were the ones in Numbers who called upon Balaam to curse the Israelites. The Edomites are the descendants of Esau. Esau was Jacob's (who the Israelites are from) brother. He's the guy who gave up his birthright.
 
A short note...I forgot to mention something the other day. In Deuteronomy 21:23 it says, "anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse." This is very important, considering what Jesus did. He became that curse instead of US. In Galatians 3:12 it says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'"
 
Deuteronomy 24-29

I don't have much to say about yesterday's verses. Much of it was review from previous books, and my mind was sort of wandering because the war had started.

In 27:17, the Israelites have renewed their covenant and reliance with God. They have declared they will obey Him and follow His commands.

Today's reading starts with a challenge. Do you want to obey or disobey? The blessings God gives if they obey are incredible. The curses...OUCH!! Notice how the curses get worse and worse throughout the passage. It moves from disease, to drought, to broken relationships. Then it moves into nations coming and taking over and ultimately the Israelites being taken away from the Promised Land. If these things happen, it is obviously a clear sign of disobedience.

29:2-3 was confusing at first read. Moses gets pretty specific when he says "With your own eyes you have seen..." in reference to what happened in Egypt and miraculous way God provided for them. My first thought was, "But most of the people Moses is talking to weren't even alive." To clear up any confusion, the reference here is really to the people as a nation.

Today's reading closes with a challenge to obey God and not to follow the ways of the other nations.

This sounds SO easy, and probably sounded easy to the Israelites. Gosh! All we need to do is obey God and we get all those great blessings? Yeah. Sure, we'll obey. But, as we have seen, and as we'll see later, they fail miserably.

And, once again, we can apply this to our own lives. Let's not get in the downward spiral God describes in the curses. Catch yourself before it starts. Let's enjoy the blessings God has for us.
 
Amen, well said!!!  As I read the final chapters of Deuteronomy I was awestruck.  As I read Chapter 28, I felt a strong conviction I guess you would call it, that this was a message to our president.  Has anyone else noticed a similarity here with the war we are in now, in Iraq?  I was struck by the fact that our president is a Christian, praying man.  

What struck my thoughts as I read the first 14 verses is basically what we are seeing happen in this war.  I believe that because our president is seeking guidance from the Lord, we are receiving His blessings.  I realize to some that may be difficult to swallow, as some are against the war.  But what I clearly saw was the surrender of thine enemy.  

I'm sure that many Christians, whether for or against this war, lead our soldiers into this battle with much prayer.  I am also sure that our Commander in Chief lead these soldiers into battle preceded by prayer.  And what I see is God's hand at work.  This war is being carried out so stratigically that only God Himself could have planned it so well.  Isn't it amazing how we are taking out only what we want to hit, and that so few innocent people are being harmed in the midst of it all?  That's a God thing.  I only wish I had access to the president to tell him to read these final chapters of Deut. as a guide.

I believe it is important for him (our president) to read especially Chapter 28, because on the flipside, if God doesn't receive the glory in this matter the price will be very high as per verses 15 thru the end of the Chapter.  

So as to end this on a high note, the good news is, if God receive the glory for the success of this war as per verses 1 thru 14, I believe that we are going to see many changes in America following it's end. Examples:  Prayer in schools reinstated, the right to display the 10 Commandments in a public building, the downfall of internet porn (and maybe even beyond), etc.  As Christians, let's stand together on God's word that these atrocities will be eradicated.

I hope I will get some responses to this post, as I would love to know if anyone else is receiving revelation from God within these late Chapters of Deuteronomy and/or with the war.

God Bless you all!!!
 
I completely agree with you. I have no doubt the President has taken this to prayer. I heard Max Lucado met (along with others) with the President while we were waiting for Saddam's response to the ultimatim. Lucado was expecting the President to be weary, nervous, etc., but instead, found him in great spirits. It was only through prayers.

Hahaha. I like how you mention it is important for the President to read Deut. 28. This is exactly what God calls the leadership to do. A few days ago, we just read how God wants the law read by each king/leader. It is an excellent reminder of God's commands.
 
Deuteronomy 30 - 34

Well, we finished Deuteronomy yesterday. Moses' leadership transfers to Joshua.

30 starts out with redemption. If we return to the Lord, the Lord "will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you." It ends with another challenge. A challenge of life or death, obedience or disobedience. I like how Moses says "what I am commanding you today is not too difficult." Hahaha. That's true. We just read something similar the other day. And yet we know in our own lives how difficult it really is.

There is a lot of neat things in the reading, but I will just quickly mention Moses' song. Is that really song you want to hand down for generations? Where is the fun and joy in it? I don't think it is sung, "Yeah!!! We are going to disobey God!" Maybe I am wrong, but I see it serving two purposes. One is to motivate the Israelites to say, "No! We won't disobey God!" The other is that, once they have disobeyed and the calamities have fallen upon them, they can remember this song and remember the greatness of God and the prophecy the song is about.
 
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