March 24, 2023

We begin todays with the beginnin of the book of Joshua as he is installed as the leader of the Israelites following the death of Moses. Two spies encounter Rahab who is an interesting person in the Old Testament and the crossing of the Jordan River.

Chapter 1 –

The book opens with God speaking to Joshua telling him to prepare the people to get ready to cross the Jordan. He tells Joshua I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads…No one will be able to stand against you…Be strong and courageous. This is an example of the intersection of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility to obey in order to secure God’s promises.

God then told Joshua Observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you…so that you will have success wherever you go. Ultimate success as a Christian is to fulfill our God-given purpose in life. To do that we mediate on scripture and carefully observe written in it. After receiving instructions from the Lord Joshua told the people to get ready to claim the land which had already been given to them. The people responded with Everything you have commanded us we will do.

Chapter 2-

Rahab now comes into picture of this account of the two spies. The spies entered Jericho and chose to stay in the red-light district and ended up in the home of Rahab.  Somehow the king of Jericho heard of their presence and sent not6ice to Rahab to present those in her house. This then becomes and interesting thought as Rahab lies to those seeking the spies – when is it acceptable to lie? The king was fearful of the Israelites as he had heard what they had done but Rahab was not as fearful nor was the king willing to surrender.

She confessed the Lord…is God in heaven above and on earth below. Trusting Israel would defeat and conquer Jericho she hid the spies and asked them to spare her life and those of her family. She submitted in faith to God’s program and was spared. The spies return to Joshua and said everything was a God promised. An interesting side note here numerous times in the scriptures Rahab is referred to as “prostitute.” It shows me no matter who you are God can use you.

Chapter 3 – It was time to move the ark of the covenant. It would lead the way into the promise land. Joshua calls the people to make spiritual preparation for divine manifestation to consecrate themselves.

When they broke camp all they could see was the Jordan and that the water was out of its banks. There was no wading, no swimming but when the priests’ feet hit the water the river ceased to flow downhill. No feet in the mud they crossed on dry land.

Chapter 4 –

God outlined to Joshua the plan to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark out front of the tribes. The Lord would stop the water flow of the Jordan as he did the Red Sea to allow passage across the river. In order for people to remember they were commanded to place twelve stones there for spiritual formation to their children.

The Israelites did exactly as God had commanded them all the people crossed the riverbed; God then told the priests carrying the ark to come up out of the Jordan. When they did the water returned. They then camped at Gilgal where Joshua reminded the people to use the stones as a witness to God’s grace in delivering through the Jordan.

March 24, 2023

If you have been following our reading and study today we conclude the Book of Deuteronomy with chapters 32 – 34 and we read the 91^st Psalm.  We have completed five books in the Bible. As we see today from our reading the “Song of Moses”, Moses will die on Mt. Nebo, Joshua will succeed him. Psalm 91 is a psalm of protection, one very familiar to us.

Chapter 32 –

Moses proceeded to recite the song to the entire assembly of Israel. It is an incredible teaching instrument the traces God’s dealings with the nation of Israel. It is a testimony to the greatness of God whose work is perfect.

The Lord had nourished Israel throughout their journey but once the people enjoyed these blessings the became fat, bloated, and gorged. They forgot their roots. Israel’s flagrant disobedience provoked God who said I will hide my face from them. God’s anger is compared to a raging fire (33:22) He would take their lives from the infant to the gray-haired man.

We might wonder what Moses’s hearers were thinking when they heard him say, Israel is a nation lacking sense with no understanding at all. We all think we will do better them others but we should realize we are all prone to mistakes, we should learn from them. Moses concludes the song with a word of deliverance for Israel after God’s fierce judgment had run its course. But Israel had to learn the hard way. Moses taught them the words of life to ensure their blessing in the promised land.

Chapter 33 –

The blessing Moses provides in the chapter is like last will and testament. I t was modeled after the blessing Jacob imparted to his sons. He then outlines instructions for each of the tribes starting with Reuben, then to Judah, then to Levi, Benjamin is called the Lord’s beloved who rests on God’s shoulders which is the picture of great peace of the lamb laying on the shoulders of a shepherd. Then on the Manasseh and Ephraim, Zebulun, Naphtali, and Asher.

Moses concluded this chapter with his blessing on the tribes of Israel with his final words of praise to the God of Jeshurun. If only Israel would love and serve their God.

Chapter 34 –

With these words Moses walked up Mount Nebo to his funeral where God showed him all the land of Israel. Moses died on Mount Nebo and was buried by the Lord in the land of Moab even though he was not weak and had not lost his vitality. The closing tribute to Moses ends this book with the truth that no prophet like him ever rose again in Israel.

However, one day a new kind of prophet would arise an even better one He would be a man but far better than a man.

Psalm 91 –

The psalmist expresses great confidence he has in the security the comes from dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty with Him there is abiding protection. God covers His own in faithfulness providing them with a shield of protection. The one who makes God his refuge will not experience harm because the Lord has commissioned His angels to watch over him.

The psalmist communicates God’s promise to deliver and protect those who set their hearts on Him.

March 22, 2023

Moses speaks to the Israelites once again and speaks of God’s restoration, they can choose life or death, he tells them Joshua will succeed him, and ultimately after all he has said he ends it with a prediction of rebellion. We read today from chapters 30 and 31.

Chapter 30 –

 Moses pleaded with the Israelites to maintain faithfulness in the Lord once they crossed the Jordan and took possession of the promised land. He gave them a future and a blessing for those listening to his message. Moses was speaking about Israel’s full spiritual restoration and material blessings in the kingdom age which will not come until the return of Jesus Christ in His millennial kingdom. In other words, we are still waiting for it.

But at that time God will give the people of Israel new hearts to obey Him.

Moses spent most of the book of Deuteronomy explaining God’s law and urging the people to obey it. He argued the law was very near to them, something he had very graciously made known to them. Moses told them once again the requirement for life – to love God, walk in His ways, and keep His commandments.

Chapter 31 –

 Moses’ messages were over he had come to the end at 120 years old. It was not his age that would prevent him from entering the promised land, it was his earlier disobedience. He knew for certain though the Lord would cross in front of them.

He told them to be strong and courageous. He then turned and said the same words to Joshua/ Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests with commands to have it read aloud every seventh year when the nations gathered for the Festival of Shelters. The public reading of the law would have benefits for review and education.

Joshua had been publicly commissioned by God as the successor to Moses God was once again ratifying His call on Joshua. The Lord did give some heartbreaking news to the Israelites He said they would prostitute themselves with foreign gods in the land of Canaan they would abandon God and break the covenant. God also gave Moses a song as a reminder for their troubles and afflictions they would encounter if disobedient. Moses must have left the meeting with mixed emotions: sadness over the future of Israels sin, joy in knowing that his legacy would continue through the writing of the covenant.

March 21, 2023

Reading today you will probably see the same observation I made ‘it would have been easier to follow the Lord than fail Him.” Today our reading is from two chapters 28 and 29.

Chapter 28 –

The third address of Moses is found in chapters 27, 28, 29 and 30 to verse 20. Chapter 28 lays out the divine blessing for obedience to the covenant and the consequences for disobedience.  The chapter is hugely out of balance with fourteen verses attributed to blessings and fifty-four to curses for disobedience. The promises for obedience were spectacular. But they had to be careful follow all His commandments. Israel’s blessing would affect all the nations around them, their enemies would not be able to stand against them.

Blessing were wonderful they would be the head and not the tail among all nations. There is terrible fallout from disobedience. It would cause God to afflict them with physical and mental plagues like He placed on Egypt.

Verse 30 – 68 outline the worst horrors a nation could have with he coming siege and exile of Israel two terrible judgements would eventually come true (28:52, 63-64). In the distant future the nation of Babylon would swoop down on Israel and it was so bad they did the unthinkable they would give into cannibalism. Moses spared no detail in telling them what to expect if they were disobedient. Faithfulness to the covenant would grant them everything disobedience would cost the everything.

Chapter 29 –

This chapter picks up with the Israelites being reminded the words of the covenant came for the Lord through Moses. Once again Moses provided an important review of Israel’s history. Yet to the day the Lord has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, and ears to hear. This was a sad recognition that even as they stood on the plains of Moab they had not grasped His deliverance and sustaining power. If they followed His covenant, He would do all he said He would do; they would succeed in everything they did. These people were standing with Moses before the lord to enter into the covenant with Him. Previously their parents had entered into covenant but they broke the covenant.

Should anyone consider himself exempt from the covenant, he would bring down the whole nation as well as every curse in Deuteronomy.

To make his point more graphic Moses described the destruction of Israel for idolatry in terms of the land becoming a burning waste od Sulphur and salt…like…Sodom and Gomorrah.

March 20, 2023

Deuteronomy 24 – 27 teach us concerning miscellaneous rules, first fruits and tithes, following God’s commands, the altar on Mt. Ebal and curses placed on people

Chapter 24 –

 Divorce was not part of God’s marriage plan but it was permitted here. God allowed divorce when a man found something indecent with his wife. There was also a provision to give newly married man one year off from military service.

They were aid at the end of each day and to take a mans grindstone or upper millstone as a security for a debt was cruel because each day they brought home the food for that meal. Even worse was kidnapping which was punishable by death.

Skin diseases were matter of great concern and required quarantine until the priest pronounced the infected person clean.

If anything was to mark the people of God it was compassion for those in need – a trait short in supply both then and now. Continuing his focus on compassion Moses pointed out that workers deserved their wages in a timely manner – even more so if they were poor and had no other way to eat. There was repeated direction for the Israelites to keep these laws since they were once slaves. If we are comforted by God then we too should comfort others.

Chapter 25 –

The theme of justice in Israel continued with the demand that when a dispute between men was heard in court, the judges would hand down a ruling that ensured acquittal for the innocent and justice and punishment for the guilty in keeping with the seriousness of the crime. There was also provision that if a brother who lived on the same property died his brother was to marry his wife and raise up a son in the deceased father’s name if he refused, he was judged and given a disgraceful nickname.

Justice and honesty were not options in business for Israel. To use differing weights on a scale was deceptive, the Lord demanded an honest weight.

Chapter 26 –

Moses quite often called his followers to remember what God had done for them once they entered the promised land. One of the requirements was to bring the first fruits of all the land to the Lord at he central sanctuary as an offering. After presenting their offering they would recite a saying in which they recounted their history and struggles from the days of Jacob.

At the end of this lengthy message Moses calls for the commitment of the people to the Lord His statutes and ordinances. The people responded by affirming that the Lord was their God and they would walk in His ways, keep His statues, commands, and ordinances.

Chapter 27 –

In these chapters Moses identified the blessings and the curses that would fall on Israel for keeping or despising the Lord’s covenant. Moses and the elders…commanded the people to conduct a covenant renewal ceremony that included writing the law on large stones covered with plaster. They were to build an altar and offer burnt offerings to the Lord.

Moses described the unusual form of this ceremony which Joshua later carried out. Moses’ statement that day This day you have become the people of the Lord your God. Concluding the chapter twelve curses were given, with a summary curse beginning at the end. They were pledging their obedience to the Lord. Sins done in secret would not go unpunished by God.

Anyone who does not put the words of this law into practice is cursed.

March 19, 2023

From chapters 21 to 23 of Deuteronomy we see various laws given further explanation.

Chapter 21 –

No detail of the Israelites life was missed by God. The cold case of an unsolved murder required a sacrifice because life was precious to God and the victim’s blood had to be atoned for. Next involved a woman who a soldier wanted to marry she had to undergo both a physical and spiritual ritual to separate her from her former life. A provision was also made for divorce if the husband was not pleased with his wife. He was not to hurt her in any way.

Discussion of marriage to a foreign captive led to another marriage issue, the case of polygamy and fathering sons by more than one wife. Polygamy was tolerated in Old Testament times but it was never God’s plan for marriage. Culturally doing always led to problems for God’s children.

Next Moses dealt with another family situation. It’s important to understand that this passage is not advocating the death for mere juvenile delinquency. However, for a habitual delinquent the bottom line here is if a young man refused to submit to the Lord as his King and to his parents as his God-ordained authority the elders were to recognize the seriousness of his sin and stone the rebel to purge the evil from Israel.

Chapter 22 –

Moses continues in the chapter tot each on a variety of other subjects. To care for the brothers ox or any other object that had been lost. Then there was to prohibition against a woman wearing male clothing and vice versa is a reminder of the gender distinction the God designed. The gender confusion today is certainly a clear rejection of God’s good design. IN many places homosexuality and transgenderism is promoted by the school systems, this is rebellion against God.

The common theme in these verses is the mixing of unlike things. Paul uses a similar idea to Do not plow with an ox and a donkey. His point here is to warn believers about entering into relationships with unbelievers. The verb Paul uses means “unequally yoked.”

The tassels are meant to remind them of God’s laws.

Given human sinfulness God knew there would be martial problems. So he gave Moses’ regulations to be applied in the case of a husband who came to hate his wife, accused her of shameful conduct, and gave her a bad name by claiming she wasn’t a virgin when they married. If that were true, she was to come under the death penalty. Sexual immorality of any nature was forbidden.

Marriage is a sacred institution created by God and is to be revered and holy. Adultery by married people under Mosaic law was a capital offense. Rape too was a capital offense if the victim was engaged. IF she wasn’t the perpetrator had to pay the victim’s father a fine, marry the woman, and live with her fort he rest of his life because he had stolen her virginity.

Chapter 23 –

The prohibition here that is included against a eunuch participating in worship when the people gathered in the tabernacle was not a matter of personal sin; it was a ceremonial rule meant to teach Israel perfection before the Lord.

Cult prostitution was prevalent in Canaan, so Moses had to continually warn Israel not to be tempted by the lifestyle or patronize the Canaanite lifestyle. Furthermore they were not to bring prostitute’s wages into the house of the Lord. They were not to charge interest on a loan. They were not to take advantage of a neighbor in his vineyard or his or standing grain however it was acceptable to eat grapes or the heads of grain but he could not use a sickle.

March 18, 2023

Deuteronomy chapters 17 through 20 teach us about sacrifices made without defects, law courts, whether Israel wants a king, practices in the occult, and the prophets God raises up.

Chapter 17 –

Since the proper worship of God was the most serious issue in Israel, judging the cases of those accused of violating it was a serious matter. Moses had already established a  system of justice in the wilderness to hear and rule on cases so what he laid out here was not entirely new.

The accused could not be condemned based on the testimony of a single person. It would take the testimony of two or three witnesses who not only stood by their testimony but were the first to execute punishment. If a local judge felt the case was to difficult the case would be heard by the religious and civil leaders, the Levitical priests and the judge who presided (who presided in the given) time. The judge’s decision was final – no appeals.

Next God provided instructions when Israel would become a monarchy, which was to be a momentous day in their history. God would still bless them as long as the king obeyed God. He cannot be a foreigner, cannot acquire many horses which require going back to Egypt which God forbid. Later will see Solomon, although wise, broke all the commandments given.

Chapter 18 –

Levitical priests were those men in the tribe set apart by the Lord to offer sacrifices and administer other duties of the tabernacle (and later the temple). Moses then turns from teaching about true worship to warning against false worship. The most horrific practice of the nations was to sacrifice one’s child in the fire to the gods (18:10). The rest of the occult practices are seen in divination (the attempt to get secret information through by interpreting omens or looking at astrology. The second category was sorcery and spells. Moses here is talking about witchcraft, the attempt to reach a spiritual realm what human power alone cannot pull off. The third one being spiritism which involves the attempt to get in touch with spiritual intermediaries through hypnotic trance.

All of these are detestable to God. Previously, when God gave Moses the law the people were so terrified of His voice and His fire, they thought they would die. God told them he would hold accountable anyone who did not listen to the prophet.

Chapter 19 –

There were numerous regulations covering every aspect of life that Moses wanted to review before crossing the Jordan into Canaan. He commands them to establish three cities as cities of refuge. He then offers an example of who might go to one of these cities – someone who had accidentally killed a fellow man. Moving a neighbor’s boundary was another serious offense. Anyone doing this was placed under God’s curse.

He had already established the rule of two or three witnesses as a necessary to convict a man. Testimony had to be corroborated.

Chapter 20 –

Moses’ next message for Israel concerned how to conduct themselves during war, especially in light of their upcoming battles. This message was as much for Joshua as for any member of the community. The priest was to lead them into battle and give the troops a divine talk before the battle reminding to not fear their enemy. The Lord would fight the battle for them.

God permitted soldiers exemptions for a given battle if they met any of the four conditions:

1. If the had built a house and had not lived in it,
2. If the planted a vineyard but had not been able to enjoy it’s fruit,
3. If they were engaged and waiting to be married,
4. If they were a coward.

The first three had to do with a lack of fulfillment in pursuing life’s basic pleasures. The fourth was so they would not discourage other soldiers in battle.

Enemy cities outside the promised land were offered terms of peace which they could accept on the condition they become forced laborers to Israel, if they refused then that led to siege by the Israelites. But no such offer of peace was to be made to the Canaanites. Israel was to completely destroy every living thing among them. They were not to decimate the land since it was the promised land.

March 17, 2023

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Today from chapters 14, 15, and 16 we read of clean and unclean food, tithing, seven-year debt cancellation, freeing servants, first born animals and the festivals and judges to be appointed.

Chapter 14 –

Moses continued to warn the people against following the gods of other nations. He also wared them about certain religious practices. The Lord prohibited them from practicing morning rituals of the nations. They were not cut themselves on their head on behalf of the dead.

A major day-today aspect of Israel’s covenant with God involved keeping the nation’s food laws. Some say God gave these requirements for health reasons such as pigs can carry disease and vultures feed on rotting flesh. However, scripture does not record that as justification for avoiding these items. We will find in Acts 10:9-15 that the Lord declares all food as clean. Other reasons would be because these were practiced and eaten by other nations and Israel was set apart. You are a holy people.

The laws of tithing was another way for the Israelites to remember all God had done for them. Part of the tithe was for the Levites who had no inheritance in the land. Giving to God is crucial because it shows how much devotion we have to Him. Their giving of the tithe acknowledged everything they had was from God. Giving to God is a test of our faith.

Chapter 15 –

In the sabbath year all debts were to be forgiven. That sounds like a strange idea for people to forgive a monetary debt but that is the way God operates. There will never be any shortage for good stewardship. Moses continues to emphasize they were to help the poor who will always be with them. Verse 15 says something very interesting – how do you see it?

God commands His people to trust Him and be generous. Don’t think that 15:11 contradicts 15:4. Verse four was a statement of God’s will for His people verse eleven is a sad mention of what God knew would become reality.

Concerning servants – a newly released servant had to be set up with everything they needed to make a fresh start. Sadly Israel would fail to keep the Sabbatical years and the rules surrounding the year of Jubilee that are discussed in these verses.

Following are instructions in verse 19 -23 that deal with giving up possessions to the Lord. The firstborn male of all animals belonged to the Lord. They could have no blemishes but the blemished could be eaten provided the blood was properly drained.

Chapter 16 –

There were festivals on Israel’s annual calendar that required males to make a pilgrimage to the central sanctuary. The first was Passover, the seven-day festival celebrating God’s deliverance of the people out of Egypt. On it, they were to sacrifice a Passover animal from the herd or flock and eat unleavened bread with it, in remembrance that they had left Egypt in a hurry.

The Passover can only be celebrated in the place designated by the Lord where He chooses to have His name dwell. The next national celebration gathering was the Festival of Weeks also known as Pentecost form the Greeks meaning “fiftieth” or fifty days after the Festival of Firstfruits. The third pilgrim festival was the Festival of Shelters also known as the Festival of Tabernacles or Booths. This was a seven-day observances where the Israelites were to build temporary shelters as a reminder of how God provided for them in the wilderness. This is a reminder that the heads of the family were to lead in worship.

Israel’s government was a theocracy in which God served as the nation’s king. Those charged with judging others must do it with righteous judgement just as the Lord had done.

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March 16, 2023

Numbers 11, 12, and 13 reveal instructions on obeying God’s law, the one place for worship and warnings on idolatry.

Chapter 11 –

Therefore – in light of all God had done for Israel – Moses called them to love God and keep His commandments. All of Israel’s history had been for the purpose of learning God’s discipline. Moses delivers a brief history lesson to them beginning with Israel’s deliverance from Egypt where God’s greatness, strong hand, and outstretched arm decimated Pharoah.

There was a bright future available for the Israelites if they obeyed God and loved Him with their whole hearts. Moses compared Canaan with Egypt reminding them that Egypt had to be irrigated by hand in order for anything to grow by contrast Canaan was watered by rain from the sky.

The choices God gave Israel boiled down to two clear choices: a blessing for obedience and a curse for disobedience. Moses cautioned them to be carful to follow all the statutes and ordinances set before them.

Chapter 12 –

True worship verse false worship. As Israel entered Canaan, they would see the various Canaanite worship centers which we typically erected high on mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. This kind of perverted worship often included sexual symbols and immoral sexual acts. Instead Israel was to worship at the place God would choose to put His name on His dwelling. God intended to centralize worship with the ultimate fulfillment being the temple in Jerusalem.

Moses then repeated what he had just said in 12:5-7. When they entered Canaan, they were to only worship in the place designated by God for worship. That would be the only appropriate palce to worship and offer sacrifices. Although animals could only be sacrificed in one palce they could still hunt animals for food. The one thing they had to do was not eat the blood of the animal but pour it on the ground like water. Any animal offered for sacrifice had to be eaten in the presence of the Lord.

Chapter 13 –

Some people might think that if a self-proclaimed prophet is able to perform a miraculous sign or wonder then he must be the real thing. But Satan and his followers will do the same thing to lead people astray. The Lord would allow apparent wonder workers to appear to test the Israelites – to se if they would keep God’s laws, stay faithful, and continue to worship Him.

Any false prophet who would attempt to lead Israel astray was to face imminent death because they were encouraging rebellion against God. False doctrine is not to be tolerated in the church either.

Sadly, the temptation to fall into idolatry could come from and intimate source such as a brother…son…daughter…wife or close friend. Idolatry among God’s people had the potential to infect an entire city in Israel, so if anyone was found guilty of tolerating it, the inhabitants of such city were struck down with the sword, and the city was NOT to be rebuilt.

Moses told the people the only way to avoid judgement was to keep God’s commandments and to do what is tight in the sight of the Lord. Following God’s word is always the proper path to follow.