April 8, 2015
Moses reminded the Israelites that the Word of God was real sustenance. He told them to never think it a “futile thing” to study and follow it, but to treat the Word as life itself. For as Moses and later Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Deut. 8:3: Matt.4:4). Believer, never think it a “futile thing” (“empty, useless”) to feed on God’s Word. For it is spiritual “life” to sustain you.
April 6, 2015
Moses reminded the Israelites as they stood on the border of the Promised Land of the importance of choice. Would they choose life or death? The Lord had given Moses instructions and he had faithfully delivered them to his people. What would they choose? Today, what will you choose: life or death? For life is in Christ Jesus for all those who have chosen to trust in His Name.
April 1, 2015
Jesus is the fulfillment of this Scripture. He was born into the tribe of Judah and so was one of Israel’s “brethren.” He spoke all that the Father “commanded” Him to say (John 12:49). And on occasion referred to Himself as a “Prophet” (Luke 13:33). Moses was a foreshadowing of the Christ. But Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the ultimate revelation of God (John 1:1-18, John 14:9).
It seems appropriate that today’s OYB reading included this passage in the OT reading and the Mount of Transfiguration passage in the NT reading. Both Moses and Elijah were OT types pointing to Christ and here they are conversing with Him about His coming death. Moses represents the law, and Elijah, the prophets, and Jesus fulfilled them all.
March 27, 2015
Believers who have gone through a season of poverty depending on the Lord, know His divine care. They have found the Lord’s Word is faithful and that He does not let His people go “begging bread” (Psa. 37:25). God disciplines us to teach us that He is the One to depend on, not our money and possessions. Deut. 8:3 was a favorite passage of Jesus. He quoted it to the devil in Matthew 4:4 when He was tempted to turn the stones to bread. He referred to it in John 4 when He told the disciples that His “food was to do the will of the Father.” Have you learned to trust the Lord’s provision? His Word is better than wealth.
March 26, 2015
In Deuteronomy, Moses restated the wilderness stories and God’s law to encourage the Israelites to remember and keep their covenant with the Lord. He encouraged them to make God’s Word a daily part of their lives, so that they knew it in their hearts. The above verse is known as the “Shema” (Pronounced “shee-mah,” it means “listen, hear”). It became the centerpiece of the the Jewish morning and evening prayers. Today, you can still hear it sung by the cantor in the synagogue every Sabbath and taught to every Jewish child as a bedtime prayer. “Shema, Yisrael Adonai eloheinu Adonai echad.” The cantor sings in a lilting baritone, sounding like a cross between singing and chanting. Of course, they substitute the word “Adonai” (Lord) for the actual name of God (“YHWH – Yahweh”) as found in Deuteronomy, because they consider the Name too holy to say. Singing, repeating daily, praying, and memorizing God’s Word can help us know it by heart. Yet, if we want the Word “written” on our hearts, only faith in Christ will move it from stone tablets to circumcised hearts.
March 23, 2015
The book of Deuteronomy is a recap of the Israelites’ wilderness journey. It is the fifth and final book of the Torah (“Torah” – Hebrew for “law.” Also referred to as the Books of Moses or the Pentateuch). It’s title comes from the Greek translation, the Septuagint, and literally means “Second Law” (“deutero” – two or second; “nomos” – law). The Hebrews call the book “Devarim,” which means “words,” taken from the opening verse, “These are the words…” Deuteronomy is made up of three sermons that Moses gave to the Israelites to prepare them to finally enter the Promised Land. In these sermons, he reminded them of all that they had learned together in their wilderness wanderings, of God’s laws and God’s promises. For the modern reader, Deuteronomy is a helpful “Cliff’s Notes” version of the previous three books. It also gives insight into how Moses viewed the events recorded previously.
July 27, 2014 | Deuteronomy 6:1-9 |
Pastor Stephen Combs teaches us from Deuteronomy 6:1-9 on what the Bible says about parenting the soul of your child and leaving a Godly legacy.
April 10, 2014
Many attributes of Moses’ ministry could have been mentioned here that made his prophetic office unique. Challenging Pharaoh, leading Israel out of Egyptian slavery, shepherding them in the wilderness, giving them the laws of God… any one of these would make him one of the greatest prophets in Israel. Yet, here it is supported by the fact that the Lord knew him “face to face.” It was this intimate relationship with God that marked Moses’ ministry. He was a mediator, a go-between for God and Israel. In this, Moses was a Christological type, one whose life pointed to a future fulfillment in Christ Jesus. Unlike Moses, who could never really “see” God in all His glory (Read Exodus 33-34), Jesus came from God Himself. As John wrote: “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18). Jesus is our Great Mediator. There never has been, nor will there ever be another like Him!
April 6, 2014
Moses gave final instructions to the Israelites before his departure. He told them that they all had to make a choice between life and death. Both paths are clearly marked, yet few choose life. Here, Moses said that the “key to life” is to love, obey and commit yourself to God. Yet, the only One to really accomplish this is Jesus, who alone expressed love, obedience and commitment to the Father fully. When we “choose” Jesus (who has already chosen us), we choose life.
April 2, 2014
This Mosaic law along with the double importance that the Passover Sabbath began at sundown was the motivation behind the Jews’ insistence that Pilate remove the bodies of Jesus and the two thieves from their crosses before sunset. Strange that they cared so much for this minor law, yet willingly broke the commandment not to murder. Also, it is significant that the law says that anyone who is executed on a tree is “cursed.” This emphasizes the degree to which Christ took on our sin and death that he became “accursed” for us. So, the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13).