in retrospect: a Father’s right

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 14

Before we recoil at the audacity of Moses in  putting dietary restrictions upon Israel, let us remember that Moses states at the beginning of this chapter: the Israelites are sons of the LORD their God.  A father has a right to choose the best for his children, and to keep them from things they should not take or touch.

As Christians, we do not have the ceremonial and dietary restrictions that the Israelites had.  But we are responsible to be holy to the LORD, and not touch any unclean thing.

LORD, keep us in tune with your loving father’s will for us.

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in retrospect: denouncing pragmatism

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 13

 

For many people and cultures around the world today, the test of the validity of an idea seems to be “does it work?”  Even if a person does not agree with someone else’s religion or social allegiance, he is inclined to accept that someone else does, because it seems to work for that person.  God challenges us to denounce that kind of pragmatism.  It does not matter that the prophet’s predictions come true, if that prophet is set against the LORD. 

LORD, we renounce all our ideas and inclinations, and seek to abide by your word alone.

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in retrospect: my way or God’s way

Posted on June 10, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 12

The prescribed way of worshipping was to replace the way that seems right unto man.  Each of us has sinned by going his own way.  God’s way will lead to blessing. Ignoring it and going our own way leads to disaster.  Many societies today tell each other that a person’s choice is sacred – that no one has a right to call anybody else wrong.  God has another opinion.  His way is the right way.  Ours is – by definition – an error.

LORD, help us to turn from our wicked way and follow your way to blessing.

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in retrospect: relationship

Posted on June 9, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 10:12-11:32

Moses encouraged the Israelites to obey God and keep the commandments, but that was not the primary challenge.  The first and most important thing was for them to love and fear God – to have a relationship with him. That is the most important thing for any people of any age.

LORD, teach us how to circumcise our stubborn hearts.

Posted in discipleship, faith, fear, love, relationship with God | Tagged , | 2 Comments

in retrospect: hinges of mercy

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 9:6-10:11

Moses’ prayers  served as hinges that let the LORD turn from his judgment upon Israel to his mercy toward them.  Many times the anger of the LORD was ready to consume the people, and it was the persistent prayers of Moses that made the difference.

LORD, remind us to pray regularly so that you can show mercy to your stubborn, rebellious people.

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in retrospect: remember the whole way

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 8:1-9:5

Moses challenged the Israelites to remember their time in the wilderness.  He wanted them to remember how dependent of God they were, because the occasion would come that God would bless them with prosperity and peace, and they would be tempted to forget that dependence.

He wanted them to remember their times of sin and stubbornness, because the occasion would come that God would wipe out their enemies before them, and they would be tempted to think it was because they were morally superior than their enemies.  The real reason that their enemies would fall is that God was greater than the gods of their enemies — in every respect.

LORD, when we are tempted to pride, help us to remember the whole way you have brought us.

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in retrospect: a greater GOD

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 7

A lesser god would have been OK with entering Canaan and becoming part of the pantheon of the peoples. The LORD was not.  He demanded that the Israelites wipe out all the nations of the land.  He would not share his glory with any of the demonic entities who claimed ownership of the land and its peoples.  They had to be eradicated because the land was holy to the LORD, and the people who lived there had to be holy to him as well. God was passing judgment upon the people of the land because they had sold out to the enemy.  He had every right to do so.  The LORD of all the earth was taking possession of his land.  Those who opposed him had only two choices: flee the land or be destroyed by him.

LORD, purge our hearts of any devotion to lesser gods, and so protect us from your judgment.

Posted in integrity, kingdom of God, relationship with God, worldview | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: love and fear

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 6

Moses reflects on those ten commandments, and narrows them down to one: love the LORD with all your heart, soul and might (4).  Out of that love will come a fear and respect that will prevent idolatry and double mindedness. Obedience of all the regulations of the covenant flows from these emotions. 

Jesus taught that loving God was the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27).  A heart that loves God will not find it difficult to serve and obey him.  The key to loving God is remembering his rescue, and the key to remembering his rescue is keeping his words near.  The words of God are a sign of his work and his presence, and should be kept near by all means possible.

LORD, we resolve to love, fear, serve and remember you.

Posted in commitment, discipleship, fear, love | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: a covenant people

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 5

Moses reflected back on the giving of the ten commandments because he wanted to remind the Israelites that they were a people who have committed themselves to a covenant.  The commands all had to do with the covenant.  They were tied to the fact that God had rescued the Israelites and wanted them to…

  1. survive
  2. live in peace and health
  3. live long in the land (33).

LORD, we remember the covenant of our rescue through Christ.  Give us wisdom to follow its stipulations and honor his sacrifice.

Posted in commitment, discipleship, faithfulness, kingdom of God, new covenant, obedience | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: a great God and a great people

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 4

Moses encouraged the Israelites to live up to the standards of their God’s reputation.  They were to be a people known for their righteousness and wisdom.  They were to reflect upon the character of the LORD. 

He sets out again to explain the covenant and its regulations and stipulations.  He knows that in the future the people will rebel and turn back to idolatry, but also knows that the LORD will be ready to forgive and restore them if they repent. 

LORD, help us to live up to the challenge of reflecting the character of Christ.

Posted in church, commitment, discipleship, grace, kingdom of God, obedience | Tagged | 1 Comment