Demands

O. T. #387  "Demands"
October 16, 2014
Deuteronomy 7-Part 2
The great temptations which thine eyes saw; and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.  Deuteronomy 7:19

LET IT GLOW

What demands do you make on your children or grandchildren? One that I insist upon being done is putting up the toy/toys back in their proper place. We pick up after ourselves. I think this is a good habit to acquire now and will be used for the rest of her life. God had several demands made on His children. Check them out.

Do you recall the blessings which God promised Israel, that appeared earlier in this chapter? Their nation, many children, crops, animals, no diseases would be theirs if Israel would obey God's commands. Israel was God's chosen, holy, special people, and His children.

How is God described in this chapter?

• faithful (verse 9)
• merciful (verse 9)
• keeper of the covenant (verse 12)
• able to perform miraculous signs and wonders (verse 19)
• uses a mighty hand and outstretched arm (verse 19)
• great and awesome (verse 21NIV).

Israel saw with their own eyes how God delivered them from slavery and Pharaoh. Then through the wilderness He defeated their enemies. He repeatedly reminds Israel that He will deliver them and destroy their enemies.
Since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, He can still deliver us from our temptations, evil, and enemies. Are we trusting Him and obeying Him?


LET IT GROW

What was Israel to do in return?
First, they were to not be afraid, for God would give them victory in stages so the land would be safe.
In verses 24-26, they were instructed to destroy the heathen kings, burn their idols and not take those made of silver and gold.

Anything that remained would be a snare to them and lead them into sin. (Wiersbe)

If Israel disobeyed God and took the heathens' graven images and idols of gold and silver for themselves, as well as into their house, then it would be an abomination unto the LORD God.
(verses 25-26)

Abomination, in the Hebrew, means disgusting; an abhorrence; idolatry; an idol; an abominable (custom, thing). (Strong's Concordance)

Webster's Dictionary defines abomination as extreme disgust and hatred.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary gives a list of 22 abominations to God. The first one is graven images, idols used for worship. The first 7 on the list are found in Deuteronomy, and the last 15 are all found in Proverbs.

Of course, the second of the Ten Commandments given in Exodus 20 pertains to not making any graven image and bowing down to it as a god. God is a jealous God and will not stand for it. He will not put up with any competition or substitute that is worshiped in His place.

It sounds strong doesn't it? That's the way it is. God must be loved most and be first in our life. None other is acceptable.
Do we have any idols or things in our life? Is there anything that is more important to us than God?


LET IT GO

Search for anything that is more important to me than God is.

If there is one, then remove it and repent of that sin.

Surrender daily to the Lord and follow Him.

Obey God.