Deuteronomy 5-7
NOTE: I’ll be blogging—AND WE’LL BE READING—EACH DAY this weekend!
So, what portion of today’s reading is MOST revered by Jewish people everywhere?
Could it be the Ten Commandments? We read them in Deuteronomy 5, an almost a word-for-word repetition of their first appearance in Exodus 20. There’s just one difference. Where the command to remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy is, in Exodus, rooted in creation and God’s resting from it on the Seventh Day, here in Deuteronomy, the Sabbath command is connected to their fading memory of slavery in Egypt, where they were allowed no days of rest.
No, as important as the Decalogue is, it is NOT the most revered Hebrew scripture.
Could it be Deuteronomy 7, where God promises to help them claim the Land of Promise? Obey the commandments, Moses said, and the Lord your God will drive out the nations before you! (see Deuteronomy 7:12, 22)
No, as important as the Promised Land is to Jews, even today, Deuteronomy 7 is NOT the most revered Hebrew scripture.
What’s left? We turn to Deuteronomy 6, especially verses 4-9. These words are called the Shemah, after the first word of Deuteronomy 6:4, Hear! These six verses comprise the Jewish “confession of faith,” and, to this day, are placed in “phylacteries” and “mezuzahs.” The former help very literal minded Jews bind God’s word on their hands and foreheads; the latter enable a wide variety of Jews to write them on the doorframes of their homes.
The upshot is simple: God is very interested in giving His people a variety of tools for passing along the truths of the word from one generation to the next! How good a job are we doing at that?
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
FEBRUARY 21 DEUTERONOMY 1-4
Deuteronomy 1-4
Welcome to Jesus’ favorite book of the Bible!
I say “favorite,” because Jesus quoted more from Deuteronomy than any other book of the Hebrew Scriptures. It was His weapon of choice when doing battle with Satan in the wilderness. He knew to go there for the “greatest commandment.” And whenever he referred to the Ten Commandments, he could have been citing Deuteronomy, for the Ten Commandments appear in chapter 5, as well as in Exodus 20!
Deuteronomy means “Second Law;” it contains a series of messages that Moses delivered to the people of Israel just before he climbed Mt. Nebo, gazed one last time on the Promised Land, and died (Deuteronomy 34). In these sermons, Moses reminds the people of all they had been through, re-iterates the commands of God, and emphasizes the blessings of obedience. I liken Deuteronomy to John 14-17; both contain leaders’ last words to their people.
Deuteronomy 1:6—4:49 is the first of Moses’ last messages and contains a quick review of what had happened since they received the law on Mt. Sinai, including the sad spy mission, the rebellion afterwards, the wilderness wanderings, and the battles against two uncooperative kings. There are several gems in these first four chapters. My favorites are:
Pastor Gary
Welcome to Jesus’ favorite book of the Bible!
I say “favorite,” because Jesus quoted more from Deuteronomy than any other book of the Hebrew Scriptures. It was His weapon of choice when doing battle with Satan in the wilderness. He knew to go there for the “greatest commandment.” And whenever he referred to the Ten Commandments, he could have been citing Deuteronomy, for the Ten Commandments appear in chapter 5, as well as in Exodus 20!
Deuteronomy means “Second Law;” it contains a series of messages that Moses delivered to the people of Israel just before he climbed Mt. Nebo, gazed one last time on the Promised Land, and died (Deuteronomy 34). In these sermons, Moses reminds the people of all they had been through, re-iterates the commands of God, and emphasizes the blessings of obedience. I liken Deuteronomy to John 14-17; both contain leaders’ last words to their people.
Deuteronomy 1:6—4:49 is the first of Moses’ last messages and contains a quick review of what had happened since they received the law on Mt. Sinai, including the sad spy mission, the rebellion afterwards, the wilderness wanderings, and the battles against two uncooperative kings. There are several gems in these first four chapters. My favorites are:
- Deuteronomy 2:7, where Moses describes God’s watch-care for His people as they wandered in the wilderness. (If you find yourself in a wilderness time in your life, read this verse!)
- Deuteronomy 4:31, where Moses affirms God’s future mercy whenever His people disobey. (If you find yourself in a place of guilt or shame, read this verse!)
Pastor Gary
Thursday, February 20, 2014
FEBRUARY 20 NUMBERS 34-36
Numbers 34-36
Watching Moses work, here at the end of his ministry, provides excellent lessons and examples for pastors nearing the end of their ministry (or a particular pastorate). Moses cleans up the membership records (Numbers 26), participates in the selection and commissioning of his successor (Numbers 27); reviews the yearly calendar (Numbers 28-29), fights a final battle (Numbers 31), deals with special requests (Numbers 32), leaves a detailed accounting of what they had done (Numbers 33), and…
A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE!
Doing as much as he can before the fact, Moses outlines the geographical boundaries of the future nation of Israel as if to say, “This is how much work you’ll have to do.” He reviews the 2 ½ tribes’ inheritance across the Jordan, and designates men from each tribe to for a committee to “help assign” the land, when the time comes. This plan must include cities for the Levites, six of which will also be “Cities of Refuge,” where someone guilty of accidental manslaughter can flee for protection. And since it was so “new” and “unorthodox,” the final chapter of Numbers confirms what God had said earlier to Zelophehad’s daughters.
Tomorrow, we begin Jesus’ favorite book of the Bible!
Until then,
Pastor Gary
Watching Moses work, here at the end of his ministry, provides excellent lessons and examples for pastors nearing the end of their ministry (or a particular pastorate). Moses cleans up the membership records (Numbers 26), participates in the selection and commissioning of his successor (Numbers 27); reviews the yearly calendar (Numbers 28-29), fights a final battle (Numbers 31), deals with special requests (Numbers 32), leaves a detailed accounting of what they had done (Numbers 33), and…
A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE!
Doing as much as he can before the fact, Moses outlines the geographical boundaries of the future nation of Israel as if to say, “This is how much work you’ll have to do.” He reviews the 2 ½ tribes’ inheritance across the Jordan, and designates men from each tribe to for a committee to “help assign” the land, when the time comes. This plan must include cities for the Levites, six of which will also be “Cities of Refuge,” where someone guilty of accidental manslaughter can flee for protection. And since it was so “new” and “unorthodox,” the final chapter of Numbers confirms what God had said earlier to Zelophehad’s daughters.
Tomorrow, we begin Jesus’ favorite book of the Bible!
Until then,
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
FEBRUARY 19 NUMBERS 31-33
Numbers 31-33
Our days with Numbers are numbered; just two more, to be precise. But, it has been an interesting book, don’t you think?
In the closing chapters of Numbers, Moses takes up some final tasks:
1. He leads Israel in “holy war” against the Midianites, who had seduced Israel, after Balaam’s attempted curses fell flat. This is the “Lord’s vengeance,” Moses says in Numbers 31:3, and it is both brutal and complete. Among the slain is none other than Balaam the Seer, whose nefarious advice had led to so much Israelite sin. There is no word on his donkey, however; we hope he survived!
2. He guides the people in dividing the spoils of battle and, from it, in giving offerings to the Lord.
3. He deals with a request from 2 (or 2 ½ tribes) to settle on the far (east) side of the Jordan, where the Midianites had lived. This request is granted, provided these tribes help conquer the Promised Land.
4. He writes a brief “travelogue” of their wilderness wanderings. Unfortunately, most of the camp sites are unknown and impossible to pinpoint.
Tomorrow, Moses undertakes three more “last” tasks.
Until then,
Pastor Gary
Our days with Numbers are numbered; just two more, to be precise. But, it has been an interesting book, don’t you think?
In the closing chapters of Numbers, Moses takes up some final tasks:
1. He leads Israel in “holy war” against the Midianites, who had seduced Israel, after Balaam’s attempted curses fell flat. This is the “Lord’s vengeance,” Moses says in Numbers 31:3, and it is both brutal and complete. Among the slain is none other than Balaam the Seer, whose nefarious advice had led to so much Israelite sin. There is no word on his donkey, however; we hope he survived!
2. He guides the people in dividing the spoils of battle and, from it, in giving offerings to the Lord.
3. He deals with a request from 2 (or 2 ½ tribes) to settle on the far (east) side of the Jordan, where the Midianites had lived. This request is granted, provided these tribes help conquer the Promised Land.
4. He writes a brief “travelogue” of their wilderness wanderings. Unfortunately, most of the camp sites are unknown and impossible to pinpoint.
Tomorrow, Moses undertakes three more “last” tasks.
Until then,
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
FEBRUARY 18 NUMBERS 26-30
Numbers 26-30
This section begins with another rousing census. Comparing the totals from the beginning of their wanderings (603,550 men—Numbers 2:32) and here, near the end of their wanderings (601,730 men—Numbers 26:51), we are struck by one thing. Despite all they had been through, the punishments, they hardships and the deprivations, God had sustained them! Their numbers were nearly as large as when they left Egypt!
They only counted men. If this sounds sexist to you, be sure to read Numbers 27, where the 4 daughters of Zelophehad sue for the right to inherit property in their clan as if they were sons! The Lord directs Moses to accept their proposal. So, a nifty 3400 years before Great Britain finally gave up primogeniture, Moses gave legal rights to brother-less sisters!
We’re nearing the end for Moses. God directs him to commission Joshua through the “laying on of hands” before Eleazar, the High Priest, and all the people. This insures that the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd,” (Numbers 27:17) and that the leadership exchange would be seamless.
In chapters 28-29, the Lord reviews many of the offerings and feasts He had previously given to the people. In chapter 30, we see how very important “vows” are in the sight of God.”
Lord, help me keep my promises!
Until Tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
This section begins with another rousing census. Comparing the totals from the beginning of their wanderings (603,550 men—Numbers 2:32) and here, near the end of their wanderings (601,730 men—Numbers 26:51), we are struck by one thing. Despite all they had been through, the punishments, they hardships and the deprivations, God had sustained them! Their numbers were nearly as large as when they left Egypt!
They only counted men. If this sounds sexist to you, be sure to read Numbers 27, where the 4 daughters of Zelophehad sue for the right to inherit property in their clan as if they were sons! The Lord directs Moses to accept their proposal. So, a nifty 3400 years before Great Britain finally gave up primogeniture, Moses gave legal rights to brother-less sisters!
We’re nearing the end for Moses. God directs him to commission Joshua through the “laying on of hands” before Eleazar, the High Priest, and all the people. This insures that the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd,” (Numbers 27:17) and that the leadership exchange would be seamless.
In chapters 28-29, the Lord reviews many of the offerings and feasts He had previously given to the people. In chapter 30, we see how very important “vows” are in the sight of God.”
Lord, help me keep my promises!
Until Tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
Monday, February 17, 2014
FEBRUARY 17 NUMBERS 21-25
Numbers 21-25
In actuality, the account of Balaam the pagan prophet and the Balak the Moabite Monarch who hired him to curse the Israelites, is a story that shouts the sovereignty of God. Seven times (in Numbers 23-24) Balaam attempts to curse Israel. Seven times Balaam blesses them, instead! I’ve sometimes wondered what it would be like if everyone who tried to curse, spurted out blessings instead! And one of those blessings (Numbers 24:17) may have been the very prophesy that led the Magi to scan to skies at the time of Jesus’ birth:
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob; and a scepter will rise out of Israel.
Sadly, the wicked Moabites carry the day when Balaam advises Balak to send pretty girls to seduce the Jewish men into disobedience (Numbers 25; 31:16). Judgment was swift and effective (vv. 7-8) and Phinehas was one of God’s instruments.
Sometime later, Balaam was killed in battle by the armies of Israel, led by that same Phinehas! In the end, Balaam’s donkey was smarter than he was.
Until Tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
A horse is a horse, of course, of course,Who doesn’t love the incredible account of Balaam’s donkey? Not only does it tell us of an animal, who—for a short time—was given the ability to talk, but it’s a great lesson on humility, as well. Think about it; Balaam was a prophet of international renown and proven ability, like Jeanne Dixon in her prime, but most of us remember him because of his talking donkey! Take that for a humble pill!
And no one can talk to a horse of course
That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mr. Ed.
source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/mredlyrics.html
In actuality, the account of Balaam the pagan prophet and the Balak the Moabite Monarch who hired him to curse the Israelites, is a story that shouts the sovereignty of God. Seven times (in Numbers 23-24) Balaam attempts to curse Israel. Seven times Balaam blesses them, instead! I’ve sometimes wondered what it would be like if everyone who tried to curse, spurted out blessings instead! And one of those blessings (Numbers 24:17) may have been the very prophesy that led the Magi to scan to skies at the time of Jesus’ birth:
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob; and a scepter will rise out of Israel.
Sadly, the wicked Moabites carry the day when Balaam advises Balak to send pretty girls to seduce the Jewish men into disobedience (Numbers 25; 31:16). Judgment was swift and effective (vv. 7-8) and Phinehas was one of God’s instruments.
Sometime later, Balaam was killed in battle by the armies of Israel, led by that same Phinehas! In the end, Balaam’s donkey was smarter than he was.
Until Tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
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