Devotions

selfish spiritism

Posted on February 26, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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selfish spiritism

Deuteronomy 18:9-12 (JDV)

Deuteronomy 18:9 “When you enter the land Yahveh your God is giving you, do not imitate the repulsive customs of those nations.
Deuteronomy 18:10 No one among you is to sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire, practice divination, tell fortunes, interpret omens, practice sorcery,
Deuteronomy 18:11 cast spells, consult a medium or a spiritist, or inquire of the dead.
Deuteronomy 18:12 Everyone who does these acts is repulsive to Yahveh, and Yahveh your God is taking possession from the nations before you because of these repulsive acts.

selfish spiritism

The acts defined as repulsive to God here are all practices associated with animism. Animism as a world-view is thought to be primitive — customs that the modern world has evolved away from. Nothing could be further from the truth. The root is animism is doing what works for me — regardless of how it hurts others.

I never read the Harry Potter series, but I suspect its author wanted people to imagine someone using spiritual power for good. Harry Potter is fiction. Such animists do not exist in real life. Instead, those who seek to harness the powers of the spirit world are all deeply selfish beings who want power over others to benefit themselves.

That is why Moses brands all such persons as repulsive to God. It was this sinful selfishness that doomed the nations to lose their territory and identity as a judgment from God. Moses assumed that some of the Israelites would be drawn toward the practices of animism, perhaps thinking that they could adapt the customs to their worship of Yahveh. Moses knew that such a thing never really happens.

Lord, give us the wisdom to stay away from all the things that repulse you.

Posted in animism, consideration of others, exploitation, worldview | Tagged Deuteronomy 18 | 1 Comment

called to serve elsewhere

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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called to serve elsewhere

Deuteronomy 18:1-8 (JDV)

Deuteronomy 18:1 “The Levitical priests, the whole tribe of Levi, will have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They will eat Yahveh’s fire offerings;¹ that is their inheritance.

Deuteronomy 18:2 Although Levi has no inheritance among his brothers, Yahveh is his inheritance, as he promised him.

Deuteronomy 18:3 This is what the priests legally deserve from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether it is an ox, a sheep, or a goat; the priests are to be given the shoulder, jaws, and stomach.

Deuteronomy 18:4 You are to give him the first of your grain, new wine, and fresh oil, and the first sheared wool of your flock.

Deuteronomy 18:5 You see, Yahveh your God has chosen him and his sons from all your tribes to stand and assist in his name from now on.

Deuteronomy 18:6 When a Levite leaves one of your towns in Israel where he was a guest² and wants to go to the place Yahveh chooses,

Deuteronomy 18:7 he may assist in the name of Yahveh his God like all his fellow Levites who stand there in the presence of Yahveh.

Deuteronomy 18:8 They will eat equal portions besides what he has received from the sale of the family estate.

called to serve elsewhere

Whether the Levites stayed in the communities they were born into, or traveled to Jerusalem to serve there, these special citizens were set apart for serving the LORD. It was only right for this group who gave their lives for God to assist others in their worship should be provided for by the general population.

There are those in Christian communities who will also feel the call to serve elsewhere. Our support of these missionaries is an extension of our own call to serve God by discipling the nations. May we be as generous as we can toward them.

Lord, thank you for those who serve you among us, and for those called from among us to serve you elsewhere.

1אִשֶּׁה

2גּור

Posted in giving, Levites, missions | Tagged Deuteronomy 18 | 1 Comment

instructions for a future king

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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instructions for a future king

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (JDV)

Deuteronomy 17:18 When he is seated on his royal throne, he is to write a copy of this instruction for himself on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.
Deuteronomy 17:19 It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear Yahveh his God, to observe all the words of this instruction, and to do these prescriptions.
Deuteronomy 17:20 Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, he will not turn from this command to the right or the left, and he and his sons will continue reigning many years in Israel.

instructions for a future king

I want you to notice something about what Moses is saying here. He is telling us something about the purpose for all of the books he wrote. The Torah was designed to instruct a future king on how to live in humble obedience to God and his will. The promise of the Torah is that the king who keeps a copy of this Torah and obeys it will have a long lasting dynasty in Israel. His scroll is to be maintained — and it is assumed explained — by the king’s own staff of Levitical priests.

This passage helps us understand the content of Moses’ books. They contain history, but they are intended to do more than teach history. Moses — who grew up in Pharaoh’s household — wanted his words to help future kings succeed where Pharaoh failed.

King Jesus succeeded where all the kings of Israel and Judah failed. He walked with God and obeyed the instruction of the Torah, and fulfilled its prophecies.

Thank you, Lord, for the king who stayed true to your instruction.

Posted in Jesus Christ, Levites, Moses | Tagged Deuteronomy 17 | 1 Comment

focused to the finish

Posted on February 23, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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focused to the finish

Deuteronomy 17:16-17

Deuteronomy 17:16 However, he must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire many horses, because Yahveh has told you, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’
Deuteronomy 17:17 He must not acquire many wives for himself so that his heart won’t go astray. He must not acquire very large amounts of silver and gold for himself.

focused to the finish

Having an Israelite king itself will be no guarantee of God’s favor. The king has to be devoted to God. He has to seek what God wants, and avoid using his power to boost his own importance. He needs to trust God instead of alliances with foreign powers. He needs to stay away from the numerous allegiances that having many wives would bring.

The Israelites needed a king with focus.

When Jesus came, he said “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work ” (John 4:34 NASB). He was focused to the finish.

Thank you, Jesus, for staying focused until all God wanted to do was finished.

Posted in commitment, Jesus Christ, will of God | Tagged Deuteronomy 17 | 1 Comment

a king who follows God’s rules

Posted on February 22, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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Deuteronomy 17:14-15 (JDV)

a king who follows God’s rules

Deuteronomy 17:14 “When you enter the land Yahveh your God is giving you, take possession of it, live in it, and say, ‘I will place a king over me like all the nations around me,’

Deuteronomy 17:15 you are to place over you the king Yahveh your God chooses. Place a king from among your brothers. You are not to set a foreigner over you, or one who is not of your people.

a king who follows God’s rules

The Israelites had just come out of centuries of slavery to foreign rulers. So this instruction is understandable for just that reason. But there is another reason as well. The Israelites were to be a covenant community, so they must be led by covenant subscribers.

You and I need a king who follows God’s rules too. Our Messiah always does what pleases his Father, so we are safe following him.

Lord, thank you for our king, who obeys your will, and shows us how to be obedient too.

Posted in Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, new covenant, obedience | Tagged Deuteronomy 17 | 2 Comments

arrogant evil

Posted on February 21, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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arrogant evil

Deuteronomy 17:12-13 (JDV)

Deuteronomy 17:12 The person who acts arrogantly, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there assisting Yahveh your God or to the judge, must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.
Deuteronomy 17:13 Then all the people will hear about it, be afraid, and no longer behave arrogantly.

arrogant evil

There is ignorant evil, and then there is arrogant evil. Ignorant evil can be reformed and changed. Arrogant evil is an affront both to God and the congregation. Moses is describing a rebel who is an arrogant person flatly refusing to conform to God’s will — but insisting on making the community change for him. Such people had no regard for God or the priests and judges who represented God and served his people. They were guilty of treason.

Christian, are there things that you are doing which you insist on continuing to do, even though you know they are not right? That is also an example of arrogant evil. It has to go, or you will!

Lord, forgive us of our sins we are committing in ignorance, and convict us of those we commit on purpose!

Posted in discipleship, forgiveness, holiness, hypocrisy, sin | Tagged Deuteronomy 17 | Leave a comment

trusting the judges

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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trusting the judges

Deuteronomy 17:8 -11 (JDV)

Deuteronomy 17:8 “If a judgment is too extraordinary¹ for you – concerning bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults – cases disputed at your city gates, then go up to the place Yahveh your God chooses.

Deuteronomy 17:9 You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Ask, and they will give you a verdict in the judgment.

Deuteronomy 17:10 You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place Yahveh chooses. Be careful to do exactly as they instruct you.

Deuteronomy 17:11 You must abide by the instruction they give you and the judgment they announce to you. Do not turn to the right or the left from the decision they declare to you.

trusting the judges

Deferring to someone else’s judgment is a difficult thing to do, and requires the wisdom of humility. We might think we have evolved away from anarchy, and common sense reigns among us, but send a difficult case our way in which we are not privy to all the facts necessary to decide, and we will quickly revert to doing what feels right, or what is expedient.

Moses set up a council of Levitical priests and laymen which eventually became the Sanhedrin. It was supposed to help out in the difficult cases where justice was hard to find. It was the best that the Israelites could do, and even it did not always get justice right. Our Lord himself was tried and convicted by this group centuries later.

Still, the principle is a good one. Sometimes when you are too close to the situation, you cannot see clearly how to proceed. Find someone to ask who can reason more objectively.

Lord, when we don’t know the right thing to do, show us some wise people to ask for help.

1פָּלָא

Posted in discernment, judgment, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged Deuteronomy 17 | 1 Comment

timeless truths about testifying

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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timeless truths about testifying

Deuteronomy 17:6-7

Deuteronomy 17:6 The one condemned to die is to be executed on the testimony of two or three witnesses. No one is to be executed on the testimony of a single witness.
Deuteronomy 17:7 The witnesses’ hands are to be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from you.

timeless truths about testifying

Verse four had mentioned the need for a thorough investigation. These verses elaborate on that. First, someone who sees something wrong (in this case, a person inciting rebellion against God and in favor of idolatry) must find one or two others who can verify the charge. A single witness is not enough. Going out and finding a mob looking to stone someone is not enough. A person’s life is at stake. God will not tolerate mob rule.

Secondly, the person who makes the accusation had better be sure enough of what he saw that he is ready to let his hands confirm what his eyes saw. The witnesses’ hands are to be the first in putting the rebel to death. If my hands are not willing to get sullied, then perhaps my eyes did not see what they thought they saw. If I am not willing to live my testimony, then people are not going to trust what I say I believe.

Thirdly, the community must join the witness in disposing of the rebel. A crime against God is a crime against the congregation. God intends that the testimonies of his people be nurtured and backed-up by the congregation. It takes a congregation to purge the evil from a community. One individual cannot do it alone.

It should be obvious that God does not want us to take up this practice today. The covenant in which stoning rebels was a part is no longer in effect. Jesus commands us to love our enemies — even God’s enemies. But there are some principles about testifying that are brought out in today’s text. These principles are timeless truths, and can be applied to our testimony about Christ.

In case you missed them the first time, here they are in essence:

1. A single testimony is not enough.
2. Live what you say you experienced.
3. It takes a congregation to back-up a testimony.

Lord, make us people who are willing to live what we say we have experienced, and give us congregations who will encourage and back-up our testimonies.

Posted in church, confession, enemies, fellowship, hypocrisy, idolatry, Uncategorized, witness | Tagged Deuteronomy 17 | 1 Comment

repulsive religious acts

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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repulsive religious acts

Deuteronomy 17:1-5

Deuteronomy 17:1 “Do not sacrifice to Yahveh your God an ox or sheep with a defect or any serious flaw, because that is repulsive to Yahveh your God.
Deuteronomy 17:2 “If a man or woman among you in one of your towns that Yahveh your God will give you is discovered doing evil in the sight of Yahveh your God and violating his covenant
Deuteronomy 17:3 and has gone to serve other gods by bowing in worship to the sun, moon, or all the stars in the sky – about which I have commanded –
Deuteronomy 17:4 and if you are told or hear about it, then investigate it thoroughly. Notice if the report turns out to be true that this repulsive act has been done in Israel,
Deuteronomy 17:5 you are to bring out to your city gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing and stone them to death.

repulsive religious acts

Two repulsive religious acts are described here. First, it is repulsive to God to receive a flawed sacrifice. If we come before him with a gift of appreciation, it should be our best. A flawed sacrifice is an insult. Our acts of righteousness can be just that. Only Christ’s righteousness will do.

Secondly, it is repulsive to God for someone within the Israelite community to serve other gods. We can appreciate the beauty of the night sky, but we need to be careful to worship God only.

Lord, give us the wisdom to deliberately avoid what you find repulsive.

Posted in hypocrisy, idolatry, religion | Tagged Deuteronomy 17 | 1 Comment

our Asherahs and standing stones

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Jefferson Vann

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our Asherahs and standing stones

Deuteronomy 16:21-22 (JDV)

Deuteronomy 16:21 “Do not set up an Asherah of any kind of wood next to the altar you will build for Yahveh your God,
Deuteronomy 16:22 and do not set up a standing stone; Yahveh your God hates them.

our Asherahs and standing stones

When I was a teenager, I had one of those mule-choker Bibles — a huge red King James covered in worn leather. I used to take it to school with me, and put it on my desk. It was very impressive, and that was the point. I wanted the other kids to know how spiritual I was. I didn’t know at the time that it was a standing stone for me.

Both the Asherahs and the standing stones were objects of worship that the Canaanites placed outside their houses. They were probably carved/chiseled and possibly painted to depict the images of Baal and his wife Asherah. The pagans probably competed to determine who was capable of producing the best ornament that identified the household as religious or pious.

God told the Israelites not to do that. They could build family altars, where they could seek his face in prayer and ask for his help, but he never wanted their family worship to degrade to what it had become for the Canaanites. He hated that. He still does.

Our relationship with God and our spiritual health is not a matter of competition. The only appropriate way to display it is by displaying our acts of obedience and attitudes of humility and mutual care for one another. Anything else is in danger of becoming an Asherah or standing stone, which God does not appreciate.

Lord, help us to tear down our Asheras and standing stones, and build godly lives that truly honor you.

Posted in genuineness, hypocrisy, idolatry, pride | Tagged Deuteronomy 16 | 3 Comments