The Great Command

Deuteronomy 6

Have you ever had a teacher tell you to listen. This is not just because you were loud and talking, it would be listen because I have something very important to tell you. Moses had all of Israel gathered around to listen. This was very important for them to hear.

The introduction verses 1-3

The reason why you need to hear this is so that the new generation will be well prepared when they enter into the Promise Land. This was not for them to be prepared because of war, famine, government issues. They needed to be prepared so they could stay in a relationship with God. It was a spiritual preparation. This was not just intended for them but for their future. They were to raise up the next generation up and then it would be passed down from generation to generation.

The Shema verses 4-9

The next section is known among the Jewish people as a prayer that they say called the Shema. It serves as a very important reminder to not only the Jew but to the Christian in how mighty the Lord is. As it was commanded to hear or listen and remember that The Lord God is one. Not only do they need to know this but also that they are commanded to love him with all their heart, soul, and mind. They were commanded to not keep these commands to themselves but to share it with their kids and their children’s  children. They were to not only listen to them but were to bind them as a sign on your hand or on your forehead. The Jews have taken this literal as they wear the commands on the Lord. See picture  They were also to have them on their doorposts of their house, it is called a mezzuzah. See picture 

The Rest of the Command 

Moses reminded them of very important truths that would help when he was gone; it was their relationship with God. They needed to not forget about God when they move into the land. When they became rich from the land, they needed to remember what God has done for them.As followers of Jesus Christ we need to make sure that we take heed and listen to God. Listen to what his word tells us to do and follow it. His word points to Jesus Christ as our author and finisher of our faith. Our goal should be to fear God as Proverbs 1:7 tells us that it is the beginning of knowledge. We also need to be raising up the next generation. If you are like me and do not have any children yet, we need to make sure that wecan do a good job of sharing what Christ did for us when we do. We can also start by investing in the life of someone else. We need to pass it on and encourage others to grow in the Lord. I know for me I am so thankful for those who have done so with me and those that continue, thank you. 

The 10 given again.

Deuteronomy 5

Has anyone ever had their parent repeat things to them on purpose? Like, please take out the trash and then before they end their conversation with you they add, “Don’t forget to take out the trash.” Parents are great at reminding us on things we need to finish. I have been out of my parents house now for over 3 years and my mom and dad still remind me of things that I need to do. It is actually quite funny. 

Moses is now giving the 1o commandments to the second generation. They are the new group that will be allowed to enter into the promise land soon. Before they get to enter it, Moses wants to fill them in with some important information. The next few chapters will be crucial for the new group to be able to hear. They will need to listen and cling to the law and be obedient.

The law

Moses goes on to list the 10 commandments. Why do you think he needed to list them again? Where they not capable of looking at the stones and remembering it before? As Moses lists the commands of God, I can’t help but wonder if he was reflecting on when he brought them down. After 40 days on Mt. Horeb he was welcomed to all of Israel worshiping a gold calf. We will read later that he shares this with the new generation of Israelites. It must be have been somewhat difficult to know that the beginning generation does not exist except Joshua and Caleb. Moses himself is about 120 years old.

Have you ever had a grandparent that says, “Back in the day?” My wife’s grandpa has some wonderful stories about WWII. I could listen to them for hours as he reflects of what the war was like. What his job was and some of the scary stories that he has. For some reason he does not just tell them to us, but allows it to be a teaching opportunity with some purpose to each story. Moses has a purpose here and that is to show what God’s covenant is with his people. He shares these laws not to bind them but to show them how glorious God is.

Today we know that Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. We would not be able to hold the law. Many of us have broken several of the commandments. Just think about the honoring your mother and father, I am sure we are all guilty of breaking that one. Jesus lived and died and rose again for us so we can know that he came to live the law and was righteous. He did all that so our sins can be forgiven. All we can do is be in awe of him, say thank you and live for him. 

Instructions from God

Deuteronomy 4

I don’t mind reading instructions. My wife and I had a little table that needed to be put together and I made sure and grabbed the instructions so I could put it together properly. Do you like looking at the instructions? I know some people that hate reading instructions and they try to put something together but it usually is not put together properly or it takes them longer to do so.  

In this chapter of Deuteronomy Moses is giving the people God’s instructions. They are on the verge of entering in the Promise Land and God gives them some last minute news.

Listen

“Now listen,” God tells the people. What are they to listen to, His Word. They were commanded to listen and obey the law. God did not tell them any battle plans or strategy, it was simple obey his word. They were commanded to take it as it were, to not add or take away from the laws of God but just obey them. God already did the work for Israel, he prepared the tablets, he communicated them to Moses, Israel just needed to obey.

It is so important for us as Christians to listen to the word of God. This does not just mean an audible Bible going on. It means to take it in and chew on it and do it. We are commanded to be obedient to God. We can be obedient to God by abiding in Christ. Sharing what Christ has done for us to others.  

Cling to God

In verse 3-4 we see how God has shown himself to Israel and those who have clung to God and obeyed him are alive. This literally means that they are witnesses to the truth. We as Christians are witnesses to the truth. We know as Christians we need to cling to Jesus for our salvation. He is the truth and life. That is the truth. Jesus is the only way, his salvation is sufficient for the forgiveness of sins. 

When we cling to God that means we are walking with God. Psalms 1 tells us about the one that clings to God as a tree that is firmly planted by water. The tree yields fresh and big fruit. The tree that can not be moved. May we realize our need to be planted by God. May we realize the need to be nourished by his word. And, may we desire to never leave his presence because their is joy, peace, and hope within.

Guard Yourself 

God told Israel to guard themselves because of what they have seen and what they have been around. It is easy when one is in the wilderness setting, that they are tempted with other things but are so dependent on getting through that they can over come it. Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days and he was tempted but he did not give in.  Israel had temptation coming around them and once they are in the Promise Land their guard might drop. They need to prepared for battle spiritually as well as physically. 

Just like Israel, when we are desperate we can rely on the Lord. When things are going good that is when Christians drop their guard. We may not be prepared to battle, we may not pray to God, we may not have our mind renewed and transformed in the Word, and we think nothing will come against us. The truth is that Satan never takes a break from tempting us so why should we take a break guarding our hearts and minds.

May we take these truths and be prepared, listen to the Word, and cling to a lovely Savior.  

Battle some more

Deuteronomy 3

On Sunday we taught from Deuteronomy 2 and saw the events that took place during the 40 years Israel was in the wilderness. Towards the end of the chapter Israel faces war against King Sihon. God was with Israel and they defeated the King.More war awaits Israel before they can enter into the Promise Land. King Og and his army came against Israel. God told them not to fear because he was with them and would fight for them. They defeated King Og and his army and overtook all 60 cities that were in his kingdom. All the inhabitants in the land died and Israel destroyed the cities and kept the livestock and spoil. The land of Og was split between the tribe of Reuben and the half tribe of Manassah.

Bad News

The Bible is awesome because it shows the flaws of people. It does not just give nice words about men and women who died but tells the good, the bad, and the ugly. Here Moses is being honest with the 2nd generation and he tells them how even he is not allowed into the Promise Land because of his sin. God allowed Moses to view the land but he could not cross the Jordan into it. God then commanded the Moses have Joshua be the one who leads Israel across the river into the land.Moses would be approaching 120 years old. He has been in the wilderness for 40 years with these people all to get them into the Promise Land but he does not get to enter into it himself. I do not know how frustrated Moses might have been or even how he pleaded with the Lord, but God said, “I do not want to hear anymore about this.” This was it, Moses could see it but not cross into it. Moses was going to die soon and needed to be ready to have the next man in charge to lead the people into the land. God has a plan with everything and we know Moses not entering into the land was for a perfect reason and also that God is just. May we know that God will not forbid us, his children to enter into the promise of heaven because we are marked with the blood of Christ. We are able to enter in, which should be so reassuring. Remember next time your parents won’t let you do something, they have a purpose to their answer. More importantly when you think life is not far, just think about how it is not far that we get to go to heaven because Jesus had to die.  I am thankful for that and since I got the good end of that deal, I am not going to say that’s not far. I know I do not deserve it, so I am going to be ever so thankful.  

Reflection

Deuteronomy 1

We now start a new book, Deuteronomy. It is the 5th book of the Bible and the last one of the group called the Pentateuch. Deuteronomy is known as the 2nd law. It is not another law being given but it sheds new light on the past laws which we have read from Exodus through Numbers. Moses is the contributer for this book and the dialogue is not Moses and God but now Moses with the people.

We will read some of the same stories just with a new light or different perspective on them. The meaning does not change with a new perspective but instead learning of how much God loves his people.In this chapter we start to read about how Israel was about to enter into the land, they were at Mt. Horeb for a few years and the Promise Land was right there. We did read this in Numbers 13. As they were getting ready to enter into the land, they sent spies into the land and they returned with a negative report. The spies told the people that the land is good for food, but the people who inhabit the land are mighty.  Here we see Moses talking to Israel as, remember this type of thing that happened. The chapter ends with the people receiving the penalty for not having faith in God to deliver them into the land and protecting them. Again Moses tells the people how could you not trust God as he has led you by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. But the people were in sin. In Numbers 14 we read about how Israel realized their sin and wanted to try to make things better so they said, “Let us go take this land.” But, God was not with them in this battle and they lost miserably.

This chapter condensed a couple that we already have read in Numbers but we see Moses telling the people about what had happened. It is always interesting to be reminded of others big mistakes and this was a big mistake for Israel which would cost them 40 years wondering the wilderness.  We need to not only look at Israel’s lack of faith during this time but also reflect on ourselves in areas where we are still fighting sin. We need to know that sin does not reign over us, but that it has been crucified with Christ. We are a new creation, may we not feel the overwhelming guilt because of sin, like how Satan desires but that we would say, “There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” I am free because Christ died for my freedom. I can say goodbye to the bondage of sin because of Christ.    Amen