Why does God require an unblemished ox or sheep to be used as a sacrifice? In Deuteronomy 17 Moses reminds the people of Israel that they shall never offer a blemished sacrifice to God. It seems a little weird to me at first to think that God wanted perfect animal to be sacrificed. I tried to place myself into the story of the Israelites in Deuteronomy and that is when I started to understand why it was important. Let me put this command in a more modern sense. My sacrificing a blemished animal would be me giving my church money only after I have everything I need or it is like donating your car to your church only after you have upgraded to a new and better one. Continue Reading…
Archive - April, 2010
What is the true meaning of sacrifice: Deuteronomy 17 and 18
Loving God, loving people, and The Story: Deuteronomy 15 and 16
I love how reading through Deuteronomy is not seeming as burdensome as I thought when I started working through the book. I initially thought that I would become bored because of all of the repeated information that I have already blogged about from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. I have however found that the repeating of key details and commands within Deuteronomy were what Moses knew the people of Israel needed to remember and those facts are also necessary for me to remember. Every chapter as I remember that these are the final words from Moses to the people that he led for over forty years I become sad because I know that change is coming within the story. Continue Reading…
Does God test us, stand firm in faith: Deuteronomy 13 and 14
My reading today in Deuteronomy chapters 13 and 14 has left me asking a question: Does God test us? In Deuteronomy 13:3 it states that, “you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord you God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” The scripture says that God is testing the Israelites when there is a false prophet luring them away. This was something that I guess thought didn’t happen. I don’t know why I thought that because I honestly don’t have any reason to assume anything about God. Continue Reading…
God’s blessing and curse set before Israel in Deuteronomy 11 and 12
See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today, and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NASB
You were there when God worked through, for, and among His people. You saw God working in your midst! Do you remember? Moses continues to express God’s loving desire for the Israelites in Deuteronomy chapters 11 and 12. As the people are preparing to cross the Jordan and enter the promised land they need to be reminded of everything they knew. The people saw God’s wrath, His anger when they disobeyed, and His activity in their midst and they needed to remember those moments when they entered into the Promised Land. Continue Reading…
Surely you are not that perfect: Deuteronomy 9 and 10
It is easily natural to think of ourselves as better than other people at times: I don’t drink alcohol as much as they do, they don’t even go to church any more but I go every week, I just watch PG films they watch R rated ones, I don’t look down upon anyone like they do, or I at least don’t struggle with those constant sins that they do. We often look at someone else and rationalize our sin in light of what we see when we look at them. This problematic approach of self rationalization is seen and addressed in Deuteronomy chapters 9 and 10. Continue Reading…
Remembering God, the antithesis of pride in Deuteronomy 7 and 8
Do you find your desires are affected by your surroundings, property, or the people you surround yourself with? Straying from our faith and dependance upon God is nothing new because thousands of years ago the people of Israel were fighting against the fleshly desires which sought to pull them away from God. What is the solution to this problem of having our devotion to God pulled away? Deuteronomy chapters 7 and 8 continue with God exhorting the people of Israel through Moses in his final speech to the people before the leadership transitioned to Joseph and the entry into the promised land began. Continue Reading…
Foundation upon remembering Agape Love: Deuteronomy 5 and 6
The foundations of life for the Israel are being repeated by Moses to all the people. Why is it necessary to repeat what had been told and recorded previously? God knows the hearts of men and through mans every act of unfaithfulness and rebellions God proved Himself faithful to us. The reservoir of God’s faithfulness is infinite and His love for the people of Israel is being expressed as He reminds the people of how to live their life. Continue Reading…
Words of encouragement to a generation: Deuteronomy 3 and 4
What words of wisdom would you impart to a troubled soul? What charge do you give to people who are continually given over to straying from the commands of God? How do you encourage a people who you have represented before God? How do you sum up God’s desires for a people who are no longer going to be shepherded by you? This is the story seen in Deuteronomy chapters 3 and 4. Moses is forbidden by God to enter the promised land and he now gives last words of advice. Continue Reading…
