A New Leader

O. T. #430  "A New Leader"
December 31, 2014
Deuteronomy 31-Part 2
And He gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.  (Deuteronomy 31:23)

LET IT GLOW

God does not change, neither does His Word-He never fails nor leaves me. I came through the CAT scan without any problems. The 2 hour drink was even berry tasty. Now I wait a few more days for the result and what the surgeon's plan is. God always has a plan and that's the one I want. He is amazing God and so trustworthy. Thank You God for strength and courage that comes from You.

Sometimes it is hard to accept a new leader. We become accustomed to the old leader and his ways. Perhaps we are skeptical of the new one, waiting for him to prove himself. Maybe we compare the two, unknowingly. But the new leader deserves a chance, especially when he is in God's will. Israel was soon to be in such a situation. Moses' time of departure was coming, so he wanted to prepare the people for the new leader.

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament tells us about the last four chapters:

These are "transition chapter" as Moses gives his final word to the people he has loved and led for forty years. It is amazing that Moses remained so loyal to his people, for they were guilty of criticizing him, rebelling against him, and lying about him. Moses knew that he himself would not enter Canaan, yet he did everything possible to enable Israel to enter! Of course, Moses was faithful to the Lord (Heb. 3:1-6), and this is why he was so faithful to Israel.

Wiersbe speaks of the new leader (chapter 31), the new song (32), the new blessing (33), and the new home (34).

In chapter 31, we read about the new leader, Joshua:

1. Moses announced the new leader for the people (verses 1-6), explaining that he would not be able to lead them any longer because of God's judgment. Moses gave the people that wonderful promise of God's victorious presence in verse 6. It's repeated in verse 8, Joshua 1:9, and Hebrews 13:5.
2. Mosses called Joshua and commissioned him (verse 7-13), laying his hands on him and thereby granting the spiritual power he would need for his great task (34:9).
3. Moses put a copy of Deuteronomy in the hands of the priests to place in the ark, and to read at the Feast of Tabernacles. He knew only God's Word could make the people the kind of nation God wanted them to be.
4. God summoned both Moses and Joshua to the tabernacle (verses 14-30) where He told them that the nation would rebel and turn away from the Law. He commissioned both of them to write a "song" (32:44) to be taught to the people.
5. Moses was not permitted to lead Israel into Canaan for two reasons: He had sinned against God at Meribah (Num. 20:7-13); Deut. 3:23-29); and Canaan is the type of the "rest" we have in Christ, and Moses the lawgiver could never bring rest. Only Joshua, the type of Christ the conqueror, could do that (Heb. 4; verse 8 calls Joshua "Jesus," which is the Greek spelling). (Wiersbe)

LET IT GROW

Our God has commissioned His children to share His song and Word with others.

For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck; behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death? (verse 27)

Moses was well acquainted with Israel's obstinate ways, even in the most gracious of divine provision.  (MacArthur)

Moses knew that the Israelites, in spite of all they had seen of God's work, were rebellious at heart. They deserved God's punishment, although they often received His mercy instead. We, too, are stubborn and rebellious by nature.  Throughout our lives we struggle with sin. Repentance once a month or once a week is not enough. We must constantly turn from our sins to God and let Him, in His mercy, save us. (Life Application Study Bible) 

Although we can be a stiff necked and rebellious people like Israel, He disciplines us and bring us back with His loving arms.

Will we agree with God that we sin and ask His forgiveness? He is so patiently waiting for us.

LET IT GO

Repent, turn, surrender to God.

Bend that neck in humility.

Sing praises to the Lord all the day long.

I'm Afraid

O. T. #429  "I'm Afraid"
December 30, 2014
Deuteronomy 31
Be strong and of good courage, fear not, or be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

LET IT GLOW

Here I am, the day before I have a CAT scan. I have to have it so the surgeon sees what needs to be done to make me healthy again. I tell you, friends, I am a little afraid, maybe more than a little, that going without water, crackers for salt, and bananas for potassium for 10 hours. I'm scared it will dehydrate me again, put me back into the hospital, as it did after my colonoscopy. There, I admitted it. I need encouragement today. God has this lesson just for me. Isn't He always on time, meeting our needs? If you are in need today, as I am, read on and we will both find that encouragement we both need, right in this chapter.

Here we read of Moses' final charge. This chapter's content is different from the others in this book. Perhaps, Moses concluded his sermons and moved from the place he was addressing Israel. He had been preaching about the Law, then shifted to personal material involving Moses' retirement and death.

Did you know Moses was 120 years of age at this time? In spite of his age, Moses' eyes were still sharp and his mind was quick (34:7).  Yet, it was time for him to step down as Israel's leader, for the Lord had forbidden Moses to cross over Jordan and go into the land of Canaan (Num. 20:12).
Moses promises that God will:

• have His presence going before Israel;
• destroy the nations who were possessing the Promised Land;
• help Israel to possess the land.

Anyone need to feel God's presence with you in your situation right now? Yes!
Do you have any enemies that need to be destroyed-fear, doubt, discouragement? Check!
Do you need God's help in your daily life so you can live joyful and the extravagant Christian life as you go through trying times? For sure!
Oooh, that is so me!


LET IT GROW

Our key verse exhorted Israel, and us, to be:

• strong,
• of a good courage,
• fear not,
• be not afraid of them,
• for the LORD thy God goes with Israel,
• He will not let Israel fail,
• He will not forsake Israel.

The power of the victorious life is in God; and if a person allows God to work through him, he has the promise that He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  (Falwell)

Do we need strength to continue through our trials? Are we lacking in courage in troubled times?
Are we fearful of the future? Anyone afraid of what you face tomorrow? Read on for encouragement from God's Word.

So this word nerd looked up some words in this verse.
The Hebrew word for strong means to fasten upon; to seize; courage; encourage; be established; withstand. The same word is used four times in Joshua chapter 1; in 2 Chron. 11:32; Is. 35:4; Dan. 10:19.
Courage means to be alert; be courageous; steadfastly minded; establish, prevail.
Fail means to slaken; feeble; forsake; leave; let alone.
Forsake means loose; relinquish; permit; fail; leave (destitute). 

That's what I need to hear. I am going to fasten onto Jesus during my test (drinking 2 1/2 hours of chalky stuff.) I will keep my mind focused on Scripture and prayer. God will not leave me nor forsake me. He will help me withstand this.
He can do the same for you, too, friends.

LET IT GO

...of fear and doubt; trust Jesus.

Fasten onto Jesus when I'm scared.

Let Him establish my faith.

Remember, God will not leave me nor forsake me, leaving me alone to go through this by myself.

He has the power to see me through this. I will trust Him.

He is with me all the way. Give Him glory for His mighty works.

Will You Choose Life or Death?

O. T. #428  "Will You Choose Life or Death?"
December 29, 2014
Deuteronomy 30-Part 2
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may life. 
 Deuteronomy 30:19

LET IT GLOW

Have you made the choice of believing in Jesus as your Savior? He is the only way to heaven (John 14:6). No one can come to God except through Jesus. That is God's way, His plan. Jesus became our sacrifice for our sins, so we don't have to pay for our sins our self. Such love!! It must be done before your final breath, for then is will be too late, friend. Will you choose life or death?

God doesn't force His will on anyone. Moses challenged Israel to choose life, to obey God, and therefore to continue experiencing His blessings.
In verse 19, we read where God set before Israel life and death, blessing and cursing. Moses was encouraging Israel to choose life, so they and their children may live.

Choose means to try; select; appoint.

Under the Old Covenant:

•  God expected an Israelite to trust in the atonement made by sacrifice to make him righteous, and to understand that this sacrifice pointed towards a perfect sacrifice God would one day make through the Messiah. This is how a godly Israelite, in the Old Covenant, trusted Jesus the Messiah to save him even before the time of Jesus.
• Under the terms of the Old Covenant Israel had a choice-life or death, good or evil. It was up to them.
• Israel would see blessing if they were obedient; if disobedient, they would perish. (Guzik)

Those of us in Jesus Christ do not relate to God on the terms of the Old Covenant, but on the terms of a better covenant. In this New Covenant, my relationship with God isn't based on what I do, but on what Jesus has done on my behalf.

Will you trust in Jesus as your Savior and Messiah before you stand before God?(Luke 11:23; Matt. 16:15) Our eternal destiny is determined by our answer to that question.

LET IT GROW

What was Israel to do in order to have life?
Verse 20 tells us:

• love the LORD thy God,
• listen and obey His voice,
• cleave, hold fast unto Him;
• choose life, and regard Him as our life, and our length of days,
• so they may dwell in the land God promised their fathers.

God is not a part of our life, He is our life. (Guzik)

Life Application Study Bible explains:
God lets us choose whether to follow Him or reject Him. this decision, however, is a life-or-death matter. God wants us to realize this, for He would like us all to choose life. Daily in each new situation, we must affirm and reinforce this commitment.

Choosing life or death was also emphasized by Jesus. The one who believed in Him had the promise of eternal life; while the one who refused to believe faced eternal death (John 3:1-36). Every person faces this same choice.  (MacArthur)

Moses set before Israel the greatest commandment, which was to love God, and also points out that they should continue loving God in the future. Love is still the essential principle in fulfilling the commandment  (6:4-5).

It is our choice-eternal life or eternal death, Jesus or the devil, repentance or pride.

LET IT GO

Let go of pride, humbly come to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you of your sins and be your Savior.

Choose life in Jesus, receiving God's blessings.

Share with others Jesus' way to God.

Returns

O. T. #427  "Returns"
December 26, 2014
Deuteronomy 29-30
And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey His voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
Deuteronomy 30:2

"Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:7

LET IT GLOW

Did anyone fight the crowds and make a return the day after Christmas? Perhaps it was the wrong sized gift, an unwanted gift, or an ugly gift that caused it to be returned, exchanged for another. If you stand in long lines to make your returns, think how far you may have drifted away from the Lord. Make today a day of happy returns. Moses was warning Israel a third time, to not drift away from the Lord, but to return to Him.

This was Moses' third call for Israel's commitment to God. God and Israel made a covenant at Mount Sinai, 40 years earlier (Ex. 19-20). God promised to bless the Israelites by making them the nation through whom the rest of the world could know God. In return, the Israelites promised to love and obey God in order to receive physical and spiritual blessings. (Life Application Study Bible)

Then, this covenant was renewed in Moab. Now the Israelites are camped  across the Jordan River from the Promised Land, before they entered. This Palestinian covenant, a call to commitment, was not only for those Hebrews making it, but for those born in future generations, who would suffer the consequences of what they did. (Liberty bible Commentary)

How was Israel to prosper in life? They were to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength (6:4-5) We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).
Moses cautioned that the day the Hebrews chose to turn from God, a root would be planted that would produce bitter and poisonous fruit (Heb. 12:15). When we decide to do what we know is wrong, we plant an evil seed that begins to grow out of control, eventually yielding a crop of sorrow and pain. but we can prevent those seeds of sin from taking root. If you have done something wrong, confess it to God and others immediately. If the seed never finds fertile soil, its bitter fruit will never ripen.  (Life Application Study Bible)

Do we need to confess and return to the Lord? What better time is there than the present?

Ultimately, because Israel did not keep their part of the covenant, God took them out of the land, using Assyria and Babylon conquered their land and take them away as slaves. Looking on down through time, in 1948, Israel became a nation once again.

 Eventually, Israel will believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Paul state that "... all Israel shall be saved..." (Rom. 11:26). This is the picture of the national salvation of Israel. They will ultimately love the Lord their God with all their heart.  (Liberty Bible Commentary)


LET IT GROW

 Verse 29 states, The secret things belong unto the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

The word secret, used here, means to hide (by covering); be absent; keep close; hide.

Most people use the term secret as an interpretation of the unexplainable blessings of God, it actually refers to the hidden causes which motivate God to punish His people. (Falwell)

That which is revealed included the law with its promises and threats; consequently, that which is hidden can only refer to the specific way in which God will carry out His will in the future, which is revealed in His Word and completed in His great work of salvation, in spite of the apostasy of His people.

Life Application Study Bible says there are some secrets God has chosen not to reveal to us, possibly for the following reasons:

1. Our finite minds cannot fully understand the infinite aspects of God's nature and the universe (Eccl. 3:11).
2. Some things are unnecessary for us to know until we are more mature.
3. God is infinite and all-knowing, and we do not have the capacity to know everything He does.

Through God's Word we know enough about Him to be saved by faith and to serve Him. We must not use the limitation of our knowledge as an excuse to reject His claim on our life. 

There are some answers to "why?" which we will not know until God reveals it to us when we get to heaven. We trust God that He makes no mistakes, for His ways are higher than our ways, including His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. (Is. 55:8-9) He will accomplish His purposes for His glory. So we continue to live by faith, not by sight.
Your will, Your way, today, I pray.

LET IT GO

Trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.

Return to God and repent when I stray away.

December 25

December 25, 2014

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!!

For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

It is in Jesus Christ, that love came down and walked among His people, lived a perfect life amidst a sinful people, light in a dark world, the perfect sacrifice for sinners, a Risen Savior.

What and who is Jesus to you?
What are you celebrating today?

We are sharing His love with family today, after we read Luke 2.

May His love fall bountifully upon you today, my friends!!

Linda

Blessings If...

O. T. #426  "Blessings If..."
December 24, 2014
Deuteronomy 28
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if  thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.  Deuteronomy 28:2 (My emphasis)

LET IT GLOW

Do we prefer blessings over cursings from God? Of course we do. Israel was given the choice, the requirements for blessings through obedience, and results of cursings if they disobeyed Him.

Chapter 28 gives  us a long list of blessings for those who trust and obey. In the terms of the treaty the Lord brought to Israel, the Hebrew  people were promised that everything they did would be blessed and multiplied. they never need to borrow from anyone-if they kept God's laws (verse 1-14).
Because Israel obeyed the voice of God, these blessings would come upon them and overtake them:

• Israel obeys God; (verse 1-2)
• in the city and in the country; (verse 3)
• the fruit of their body, the produce of their ground, increase of their herds, cattle, and flocks; (verse 4)
• their basket and kneading bowl; (verse 5)
• when they come in and go out; (verse 6)
• their enemies who rise against them will be defeated before their face; coming out one way before them and fleeing seven ways; (verse 7)
• their storehouses would be blessed, as well as all they set their hand to do, and their land which God gave them would be blessed; (verse 8)
• they will be established as a holy people to God, if Israel keeps the commandments of the LORD and walk in His ways; (verse 9)
• their nation would be a worldwide witness of God's grace; (verse 10)
• rain in its season; (verse 12)

What else could they possibly need or want? Yet, we know how it turned out as we read further into Scriptures. Why, oh why, do people turn from loving God when they know what will result?

LET IT GROW

Back in chapter 27 and into 28,we read a long list of curses on those who disbelieve and disobey God's Word from Mount Ebal.
Cursed is the one who:

• makes a carved or molded image, work of a craftsman and sets it up in secret; (verse 15)
• treats his father and mother with contempt; (verse 16)
• moves his neighbor's landmark; (verse 17)
• makes the blind to wander off the road; (verse 18)
• perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow; (verse 19)
• lies with his father's wife, any kind of animal, his sister, the daughter of his father or mother, with his mother-in-law; (verses 20-23)
• attacks his neighbor secretly; (verse 24)
• takes a bribe to slay an innocent person; (verse 25)
• does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them;(verse 26)
• a worldwide witness of God's chastening; (verses 45-46)
• extraordinary plagues; (verse 59)
• scattered among the peoples, with no rest, nor a resting place for the sole of their feet, as well as a trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul; (verse 65)
• fear will terrify their heart because of the sight which they see with their eyes; (verse 67)
• Israel would return to Egypt never to be seen again, being sold as slaves, but no one will buy you. (verse 68)

[Resource: The Jeremiah Study Bible by Dr. David Jeremiah]

Moses foretold of Israel's being conquered and carried into slavery, first by Assyria (722 B.C.), second by Babylon (586 B.C.), third by Rome (AD 70). Israel did scatter, but returned to its statehood in May 1948.

After all the curses listed, the people said, "Amen!"
Perhaps these need to be read in the public square for all to hear in our generations.

Promises such as these are not repeated in the New Testament. God has vowed to bless His children, but under the New covenant, blessings are more spiritual than physical (Eph. 1:3). So NT believers are told that while they may experience a life of sacrifice and persecution, they will have the grace to be content with food and clothing alone (1Timothy 6:8) and the grace to give away to others what they have been given (2 Cor. 8:9-14). Yet in addition to the grace to give, God will grace His beloved with the ability to enjoy the good and perfect gifts (1 Timothy 6:17). (David Jeremiah)

We can love out the level of godliness which our Father expects. Also, we can experience the spiritual blessings of salvation, peace, victory, comfort, and strength for daily needs, even in times of trouble.

LET IT GO

Obey God and His Word, and receive blessings poured out from heaven.

Disobey God and receive those curses and a broken fellowship with our God.

It's our choice.

Curse or Blessing

O. T. #425  "Curse or Blessing"
December 223, 2014
Deuteronomy 27
Curseth be he that...   (Deuteronomy 27:15-26)

LET IT GLOW

Which do we desire-a curse or a blessing? God tells Israel how they can have one or the other.
Personally, I desire the blessings of God upon my life and family. The grace of God gives us blessings, since the Law is a curse that shows us we are sinners.

Here we have a reminder of the blessings and curses. Moses and the elders give commandments to Israel. Verse 9 continues this with the priests and Levites. Israel is commanded to keep the Law.

What were they commanded to do?
Liberty Bible Commentary tells us:

• When they passed over the Jordan River, Israel was to set up large stones on Mount Ebal, which was the mount of cursings. (Since the Law carried a curse, it is to be expected that the Law was to be written on the mount of cursings.)(verse 2)
• Moses didn't tell the people how many large stones to set up, but he prescribes that they were to be plastered with a coating of lime or gypsum. This is similar to the custom in Egypt where they covered their walls and buildings with lime, then pained them with figures and hieroglyphics. The temporary coating of lime indicated that the writing of the laws on these large stones was not for posterity, but was to be done as a public announcement. they were told to write the laws very plainly.
• Moses was commanded to write all the words of this law. It could be interpreted to mean "write the entire book of Deuteronomy."  Others believe it means they were to write the 613  different commandments contained in the Pentateuch. Others believed they were to select the most significant laws and write them as a symbol for the whole Law. (verse 3)
• After they had written on the stones, God commanded them to build an altar unto the LORD, and construct it with stones. These were to be a different kind of stones, since stones used for sacrifice were to be unhewn stones (Ex. 20:22-25).
• The picture of the Law and the sacrifice together shows the relationship between law and grace. The Law brought a curse upon man because it revealed his sinfulness. (My emphasis) (Gal. 3:13), but the altar was a symbol of the forgiveness grounded in the mercy of God. By connecting the sacrificial ceremony with the Law, Israel was given a practical demonstration of how it could settle the tension between perfection and redemption. 

Do we follow the directions the Lord gives us? Or do we do things our own way?

LET IT GROW

In verse 11-14, we read what happened next.

•  Moses divided the 12 tribes of Israel into two groups, with 6 stationed on the side of Mont Gerazim, facing the valley, and the other 6 stationed on the side of Mount Ebal. The Levites were to stand in the midst of the valley (about 1600 feet across).
• The Levites read the curses in unison, with all the people responding with amen, which means sure; so be it; truth; faithfulness. The entire nation of Israel was involved in one loud praise service to God. The Levites represented more than just the priest; they included the teachers and guardians of the Law, as well as those who carried the ark of the covenant (Joshua 8:30). 
• The 6 tribes who read the blessings were from the two wives of Jacob, Rachel and Leah. Those sons had a higher position in the inheritance.

Let us proclaim that we are all sinful people in need of a Savior. Then let us proclaim the blessings of our God.

LET IT GO

Turn from my sinful ways and follow the Word of God.

Share with others that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, Jesus Christ.

Tell others of His blessings that I have experienced in my life.

Praise the Savior, Messiah, King Jesus.