Monthly Archives: June 2012
in retrospect: no empty word
Deuteronomy 31:30-32:47 Moses’ retirement speech was not a series of platitudes and celebration of the past. He shared a warning for the generations that followed. God is not like the gods of the nations that the Israelites are about to … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, enemies, ethnic Israel, judgment, plan of God
Tagged Deuteronomy 31, Deuteronomy 32
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in retrospect: the source of strength and courage
Deuteronomy 31:1-29 Moses knew that the people were going to rebel against the LORD. But he also knew that the LORD was going to take them into his promised land. He encouraged them to be strong and courageous, not in … Continue reading
in retrospect: a simple choice
Deuteronomy 30:11-20 As strange and complicated as the Mosaic law seems, it must not have been so to the Israelites. They must have naturally known what kinds of choices pleased the LORD and what kinds were idolatrous. So, following the … Continue reading
Posted in discernment, discipleship, eternal life, faith, Jesus Christ, relationship with God
Tagged Deuteronomy 30
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in retrospect: the secretly disobedient
Deuteronomy 29:1-30:10 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV) Moses called … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discipleship, integrity, obedience
Tagged Deuteronomy 29, Deuteronomy 30
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in retrospect: what if?
Deuteronomy 28:15-68 Moses was an old man, and the Israelites associated him with their past – which they wanted to forget. “Well, OK”, says Moses, “as long as you learn the lessons from the past, you can concentrate on the … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, dependence upon God, discernment, faithfulness
Tagged Deuteronomy 28
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in retrospect: health and prosperity
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 We testify to the existence and goodness of God by our actions. Health and prosperity can be part of that testimony. If we are careful to do what God wants, he is free to open up his good … Continue reading
in retrospect: dos and don’ts
Deuteronomy 27 Our relationship with God is by grace, not on the basis of what we have done or not done. It also not on the basis of what we are doing, might do, or will do. We did not, … Continue reading
Posted in discipleship, faithfulness, grace, growth, obedience
Tagged Deuteronomy 27
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in retrospect: gifts of rejoicing
Deuteronomy 26 The firstfruits and tithes were not taxes of obligation. They were gifts that the Israelites had opportunity to give because God had promised to bless them with an abundance. The little ceremony that accompanied the gifts was a … Continue reading
in retrospect: remembering the past
Deuteronomy 23:15-25:19 Interspersed in these various laws is a word that ties them together: remember (24:9, 18, 22). Moses wanted the Israelites to know that they had been learning God’s way through the things they had experienced. LORD, help us … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, discipleship
Tagged Deuteronomy 23, Deuteronomy 24, Deuteronomy 25
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in retrospect: God is looking
Deuteronomy 23:1-14 The reason no indecent thing was allowed within the camp was that God was looking. The camp must remain holy “so that (God) may not see anything indecent among you and turn away from you. Even though the … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, faithfulness, Holy Spirit, purity, sexuality
Tagged Deuteronomy 23
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Devotions 