So it turns out I really enjoyed the book of Deuteronomy. It was basically a review of the first four books of the bible.
It gave me many glimpses of God's character and how faithful His love is - even when we are stubborn and rebellious. There were a lot of great verses in this book about fear and loving God.
Jesus himself quoted this book a few times during his ministry. When he was asked by the Pharisees what the greatest commandment was, He answered them:
I also loved one of the messages that Moses tried to get through to the Israelites in this chapter. He explained to them that God didn't chose them as a nation because they were a great people but simply because He loves them and because He made a promise to their ancestors.
It's that simple.
God keeps His promises. Love Him with all your heart, mind and soul.
Yes, Deuteronomy was a great book.
Deuteronomy 12 - 34
The finish line is just around the bend! I can see the end of this book as I round the corner!
Although there have been many truths and encouraging passages in this book, there has also been an awful lot of rules and regulations for a time period that is really hard for me to relate to.
I found myself "skimming" as I read about how the Israelites weren't supposed to plow with an ox and a donkey together, or wear clothes made of wool and linen woven together.
Seriously?
Are we supposed to apply these rules today? Do we ignore them? Simply dismiss them as they are for people "a long time ago in a land far away...."?
What was their purpose? How do we decide which rules do apply today?
So many questions...and like I mentioned earlier - it makes for a long read.
That's why I get so excited when a passage, or a promise, such as the following, comes along!
"Do not be afraid as you go out to fight today! Do not lose heart or panic. For the Lord, your God, is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and He will give you victory." (Chapter 20:3-4)
That, my readers, is a GREAT promise!
Moses is using the last days, weeks and months of his life to tell the Israelites over and over again, that God will either bless them greatly...or curse them greatly. It's their choice.
And just like we do as parents, he spends double time in warning mode - telling them in great detail of how they will be cursed.
He explains how easy it is and how it brings God great pleasure to bless them, if they only "love the Lord and keep His commands, laws and regulations by walking in His ways."
He reminds them that God's laws aren't secrets, or held in distant places but have been revealed in a very clear way.
He even writes a song for Israel to memorize! An easy way for them to remember his teachings! How funny is that? I used to do the same thing with my children when they were younger to help them study for tests!
Before He died, Moses made sure the people of Israel knew that Joshua was their new leader and a prophet. He wanted to be sure they knew they weren't going to be "shepherdless."
...and so ends the life of Moses. Just like that. I came to the paragraph and read of his death. Four verses.
Like a breath.
It reminded me that we are all the same. People will read of our death, in the paper - a couple of paragraphs (if we're lucky)....just like Moses.
Our life, like Moses', will be as a breath. A mere vapour in the big scheme of things.
Moses left a great legacy. He was a human instrument in the creation of the nation of Israel. He lead them our of slavery, unleashed the ten plaques against Egypt, he guided the freed slaves for 40 years, he carried down the law from Mount Sinai and he prepared God's people to enter the promised land.
But above all that, he was a man that loved and obeyed God.
I'm pretty sure I won't free a nation in my lifetime, (although that's for God to decide) but do pray that my legacy is that of Moses.
I want to be known as someone who loved and obeyed God.
...with ALL my heart.
Deuteronomy 4
In chapter 4, Moses begins getting into the laws and regulations the Israelites will be living by in the new land.
Before he digs into them, he tells the people one of the purposes of these laws. He says that if they obey them carefully, their wisdom and intelligence will be displayed to other nations.
He says, "What great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on Him?"
He also warns them - if they don't obey God, they will be scattered and destroyed, worshiping idols of other nations. Almost immediately his warning turns into prophesy. He's actually telling them that this will happen and when it does, when those bitter days have come upon them far into the future, they will finally return to the Lord and listen to what He tells them.
"For the Lord God is merciful - he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant He made with your ancestors." (4:30,31)
It really is a beautiful chapter outlining God's wonderful love and never ending faithfulness and how He's chose to reveal Himself to us through trials, miracles, wonders, awesome power, war and terrifying acts!
Moses asks them - "Has anything this great ever happened before? Has any nation heard the voice of their god - or been rescued by their god?" (4:32,33)
I think not! If only people (not just then, but now) would open their eyes and see for themselves how great is our God! They just can't get past the rules they have to follow and commands they are called to keep.
I was at small group last night and we talked about how people get so stuck in the past, to the point where they can't move forward. They chose to stay buried beneath the rubble of their hurts and sin. If only they knew the freedom that comes from letting God grab hold of their heart and heal them.
It's so sad to me the people that go through life without God. Without the hope of a brand new future and eternal life. Who wouldn't want that? They just can't understand that they can know the creator of the universe in a very real and personal way. They assume He's far off and distant and it's a "made up" relationship that we've created.
What they don't realize is the more you experience God in a personal way, the more you want to return that love. Following His commands is a way we can do that. We don't do it out of guilt (well, some do) and we don't do it to make others feel bad (unfortunately some do that too).
We follow Him because we love Him, we want to return His love.
It's like a friend that keeps on forgiving you over and over again. You've been caught talking behind her back numerous times. You've stood her up, ditching her for other plans or other friends. You use her, keep her around for what she can give you, lend you or do for you. You apologize, sometimes because you mean it...most times because you are just expected to.
And she forgives you. She continues to forgive you. She keeps loving you. Keeps giving you gifts, lending you things. Running errands for you, when you don't even ask. She sticks up for you and speaks greatly of you, even when you aren't around.
Eventually something inside you clicks and see what a great friend she truly is. In fact, never has there been as great of friend as she. For some reason, she loves you so much...and you just gotta love back.
You start doing things for her. You meet her for coffee, even when it might not be convenient. You take time out of your busy day to pick up some things for her when she's filling ill. You watch her kids. You drive her places. You lend her your car. You do all of these things because you love her.
Not so that she will love you.
...'cause she already did.
And that is why we follow God's commands. Not so that He will love us.
...but because He already does.
And eventually ya just gotta love back.
Deuteronomy 1-4
I can tell already that this is going to be a great book! It begins as Moses recaps their entire journey in a sermon. I guess I've never really looked at Moses as a preacher before, more of a doer.
It's also a book that reveals a lot about God's character, which I'm desperately hungry for. How can I even begin to fully understand God's love for me if I don't even know Him? I've always taken everyone else's word for it, "God is good. God is love. God is faithful." I've never examined things for myself, really. In fact, a lot of evidence that I've seen points more to, "Really God? This is what you call fair? This is how you show love?" But the more I read and the more I learn about Him, where He's coming from, the more I realize that I've been viewing things from MY perspective. He really IS good, He really IS love and He really IS fair. He really IS so much more. This is good.
OK, back to Deuteronomy. As I was reading through, I came across scripture that Jesus, Himself, quoted when He was being tempted in the desert by Satan. I keep forgetting this was His bible! The bible of His times, when He walked on the earth.
Deuteronomy begins with Moses reminding the Israelites why they just spent 40 years in the desert. I have to remember that this is a whole new generation, a whole new people (except for Joshua and Caleb). I'm sure they were told through the years, what the deal was. But just in case they didn't get it, Moses spends a little time highlighting their journey as a people.
He quoted himself, what he had said when they were scared to claim the land God had given them, "Don't be afraid! The Lord your God is going before you! He will fight for you, just as you saw Him do in Egypt!" (1:29,30)
But they hadn't listened. The sad part is, once they realized they had sinned against God they strapped on their weapons, ready to conquer the hills! But it was too late. God warned them if they went ahead, He would not be with them. So, naturally they obeyed God and went back to their camps they arrogantly went into the hill country to fight. Their enemies came against them like a swarm of bees and chased and battered them all the way back.
Moses continues to go over the past 40 years to remind them that God is forgiving, merciful, just, holy and powerful.
It makes me think that it was his final "pep talk" before the real battle.
I was was also surprised to read that Moses is a (teeny) bit like me after all! I had journaled earlier this week how I would have had a pity party if God told me I wasn't able to go into the promised land, where as Moses was only concerned that his people wouldn't have a leader.
In this passage though, Moses recalled how he actually spent time praising and pleading God to let him, "Please pass cross the Jordan to see the wonderful land on the other side, the beautiful hill country and the Lebanon mountains." (3:23-25)
This was his review of the account when it first took place, and from what I can remember, Numbers didn't document Moses' plea to God. Another reason, I LOVE reading my bible as a whole. It revealed another facet of Moses. He became someone I can relate to. Seriously though, that's what anyone would have done! Of course he wanted to cross the Jordan. What human would rather die?
God told Him, "That's enough! Speak of it no more!" (3:26)
Typical parent...
