Deuteronomy 7
The Lord is very clear about driving out the nations from the land
He was giving to the Israelites. They were to utterly destroy them,
and smash their altars and sacred stones 1-5.
The reason was Israel was to be a holy people to the Lord 6-8. They
were to keep the Lord's commands 9-11. The Lord promised them
blessing and victory 12-16. Failure to obey would result in their
being judged by the Lord 4,10,26. Note: The Lord does not show
'tolerance' for any other so called 'god'. He has no rivals !
Believers in our day would do well to learn, in principle, what the
Lord has spoken here, least we adopt a tolerance for false
teachings or try to mingle Jesus with other gods and beliefs. Note:
God sets His love upon His chosen ones 7-8; and desires love from
them in return which is shown by their obedience to His Word
11-12.
Deuteronomy 8
This is a wonderful chapter which reminds the people of the
greatness of God who provided for them for 40 years. God humbled
them to test them. The Manna was a test to see if they would obey
the Lord 2-5. The Lord disciplines just as a father disciplines a
son 5. God would indeed bless His people 7-9 and they were never to
forget that these things came from the Lord and not through their
own strength or abilities 10-18. Note: We must be mindful to see
the God in both blessing and disciplining us (Hebrews 12:5-13).
This can occur through a purposeful remembering of the Lord
as we consider the various ways He has provided.
Deuteronomy 9
The Lord makes clear, emphasizing the fact that it is not because
of Israel's righteousness that He bringing them into the land while
displaying those there 4-6. They were a 'stiff-necked' people 6b.
However God keeps His covenant 5b. God required that they destroy
all the people in the land (chapter 7). This was due to the fact
that they were wicked people 4-5. Notice that both the Lord would
act by destroying and the people would act in driving them
out 3. God accomplishes many of His purposes through
individuals; sometimes without them even knowing it (see:
Acts 2:23). Moses also reviews with them their history and their
repeated rebellion 7,23-24. At these times Moses prayed and
interceded for the people 18, 25-26 and as a result the Lord
listened to him and spared the people 19. Note: Never underestimate
the value and impact of intercessory prayer 18-20. Also, after
reading this passage I wonder how is it possible for the Lord to
love the likes of these people and the likes of me ? 'Amazing love
how can it be that Thou my God should die for me' (so says the hymn
writer). We certainly can not grasp the full extent of God love;
only receive Him by faith !
Deuteronomy 10
Moses tells of the second tablets of stone which had the
commandments of God written on them. He also explains the special
place that the Levites were to have 1-11. They are called on to
fear, walk with, love, and observe the Lord and His commands.
12-15. This required a commitment of the heart so in verse 16 Moses
describes this as a 'circumcision of the heart' Note: God desires
from all His people a true heart commitment. Have you ever prayed
'Lord here is my heart (the very essence of who I am). Take me and
make me fully Thine' ?
God does many great and mighty things because He is the great and
mighty God 17-22 !
Deuteronomy 11
Moses continues to remind them to love and obey the Lord 1,8,13,32.
How important it is for parents and God's people as a whole to pass
along the great and mighty things God has done for us to the next
generation 2-7. Notice in these verses the emphasis on what 'He
(The Lord) did'. The land is mentioned and described for us in
9-12. It appears that Israel's obedience to the Lord would result
in His blessing them with rains and crops and long life 13-21.
Note: While Israel's blessings were tied to the land (earthly), the
Christian's blessings are heavenly (in Christ) (Ephesians 1:3).
Both the blessings and curses were to be proclaimed in the land in
the hearing of the people as a reminder 26-31 to 'be sure that you
obey all the decrees and laws (he set) before them...' 32. With so
much repetition I wonder if any Israelite said to himself "I get
it. I get it". But did any of them 'get it' considering how
their history unfolds from this time forward. I would suggest that
most did not and only a few (remnant) actually
did
(see: Romans 11:1-4). Note: It is good for each of us to examine
our own heart before the Lord and see if we truly know, love, and
are following
Him
(2 Corinthians 13:5).
Deuteronomy 12
Here Israel was commanded to worship the Lord in the place He would
choose 5-12. They were not to do as they pleased 8,13 nor were they
to worship the Lord in the ways of others 29-31. That is one reason
God wanted them to destroy the altars and sacred stones of these
other nations 1-3. He knew that it could be a temptation and snare
to them. Note: What lessons might there be in the words 'you must
not worship the Lord your God in their way' 31 for the church today
? I know that is a subjective question, but should such a command
cause us to seriously consider what we call worship ? Note: There
is only one place for the people to worship, much like there is
only one way of salvation - through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Note: What a great and grand reason for obedience 'because you will
be doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord' 25b,28b. (ie. I
want to please HIM ! )