Deuteronomy

March 29, 2014

The addition and subtraction from God’s Word began even in the Garden. When the serpent questioned God’s command, Eve added to it saying, “You shall not eat of the fruit of this tree, neither shall you touch it lest you die” (Gen. 3:3). God never said anything about “touching” it. This was her addition. Then the serpent made his subtraction saying, “You shall not surely die” (Gen. 3:4). I wonder did the devil hand it to her so that she might “touch it” first? And after touching it and not dying, decided it was good. It is no surprise that the devil works to subtract from God’s Word, but isn’t it surprising that our flesh works in league with him by adding to it? I suppose we think we are doing a good thing when we add to God’s commands, that we are moving the railing back farther from the precipice. But external law cannot control the flesh. Adding to the law, we make it so hard that we break the spirit of the law and instead become utterly lawless. Be careful not to add or subtract from God’s Word, turning neither to the left or to the right (Joshua 1:7). Instead, receive the righteousness of Christ Jesus, who kept the law perfectly, so that the commands of God are written on your hearts.

March 23, 2014

So begins the 5th book of the “Torah” (Hebrew: Law). The name Deuteronomy (From the Greek Septuagint: deutero “second” + nomos “law”) means “second law” because it’s a re-telling of the 40 days in the wilderness by Moses. For those who are reading the Bible for the first time, it is a bit confusing because the story starts over again after the book of Numbers. It is helpful to see Deuteronomy as the record of three speeches that Moses made to the Israelites reminding them of everything that had happened, and of all that God commanded, before they finally enter the Promised Land.

March 27, 2013

The Lord warned the Israelites not to forget Him after they possessed the promised land. As long as they were wandering in the wilderness, they were dependent on God, but soon they would have houses, lands, vineyards, flocks and wealth. Would God’s blessing actually result in them forgetting the One who gave them this bounty? Yes. Within a generation after those who had experienced Egypt and the wilderness had died, they forgot the Lord (read the book of Judges). Can you think of a nation that has experienced more of God’s blessing in modern history than ours? Where is the generation that remembers from where this blessing came? Do you remember?

March 25, 2013

Near the end of his days, Moses reminded the Israelites of all that the Lord had revealed and done for them since bringing them out of Egypt. He explained that God wanted a people that “might know” Him, a people confidently convinced of His existence and trustworthiness. Moses also made it clear that they were from that day forward accountable for this knowledge. How has God made Himself to known to you? How have you responded to God’s revelation?

March 28, 2012

God taught the Israelites how to treat foreigners by reminding them that they were once foreigners too. This principle should inform how we treat immigrants to America. It should also inform how Christians should love those who are “foreign” (far away) from God.

March 27, 2012

In our trouble, we cry out for relief and God blesses. In our blessing, we are tempted to sin and stop praying. How fickle we are. But God loves us enough to discipline us in the wilderness, so that we can be faithful in the promised land. Lord, move us from fickleness to faithfulness.

March 29, 2011

We are always one generation away from apostasy. Soccer, softball and Saturday sleepovers will not save. Make passing the baton of faith your parental priority.