I am making this covenant
both with you who stand here today
in the presence of the Lord our God,
and also with the future generations
who are not standing here today.
Deuteronomy 29:15
both with you who stand here today
in the presence of the Lord our God,
and also with the future generations
who are not standing here today.
Deuteronomy 29:15
I just got off the phone with a customer service representative regarding a five-year extended warranty plan we purchased four years ago on our furniture. Of course the salesman back then didn’t bother mentioning the fine print stating what wouldn’t be covered. Unlike the contracts of today, God made sure His people knew all the details of the covenant they were entering into. Death, property rights, war, murder, slavery, divorce, security for loans, and much more was detailed in the terms of the covenant.
Knowing the points of the Law was mandatory if the people of Israel wanted to walk in the blessings of God. Breaking the Law brought guilt, guilt demanded punishment. But you can’t obey something if you don’t know the boundaries. Ignorance of the speed limit doesn’t give us the right to do whatever feel is right. The police officer that pulls you over isn’t going to say, “Oh, I didn’t know you were ignorant of the speed limit. Sorry to waste your time. You have a nice day!” You can be sure he will make you aware that it is your responsibility to know the speed limit and also to know how fast you were driving. This is basically what Moses was saying when he told them
The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. (Deuteronomy 29:29)
There was no excuse for ignorance! This week we hear God tell them that every seventh year, the sabbatical year when they were to let the earth rest and sow no crops, they were to come before the Lord. Men, women and children alike, were to gather to hear the reading of the Book of Instruction. Since they would not be working in the fields, planting crops and harvesting, they would have the time to set apart to hear this Law read in its entirety. No child over the age of seven would be ignorant of its content since it was to be read every seven years. No one could say they were too poor to own a copy of the Law, or that they were illiterate. The Word was read for them. Today we can obtain Bibles for less than the cost of a Big Mac combo! If we can’t read it for one reason or the other, there is nearly every version available on audio media. We Christians have far fewer excuses for our ignorance than did the Israelites.
God not only spoke His instructions to them before they entered the land, God commanded that they rehearse His words once they were in the land. This week we learn of His command to build an altar on Mount Ebal. On this mountain, six of the tribes would stand to represent the curses that would come upon them if they failed to heed God’s laws. Directly opposite them was Mount Gerizim with the other 6 tribes, representing the blessings. The Levites with a copy of the covenant Law was to stand between them. With each curse spoken, the people responded, “Amen.” Unfortunately, we Christians have watered down the word “amen.” Many people use it today as a substitute for “I agree.” The word holds a stronger implication. It could more accurately be stated by saying, “God said it, and therefore it is fact. So be it!” The strength of the word is found in the authority of the person who speaks it. It is also inclusive of my willingness to embrace what is said and to be bound to it. A Book of Jewish Concepts says it this way, “By pronouncing Amen the listener associates himself with what has been uttered; he makes it his own and is ready to conform to it.” Today preachers will often finish a statement by saying, “Amen?” We would be wise to use our “Amen” cautiously, making sure we believe what is spoken is truly the word of God and not a person’s opinion. “Amen” is a binding word and not to be taken lightly!
There were two trees in the Garden of Eden; one promoted the blessings of God, the other brought cursing. There were two mountains in the land God had promised; one symbolized the blessings of God, the other stood for the curses. In both cases, the blessings of God would only be achieved through obedience to His instructions. Obviously, God is speaking the concept of obedience and blessings in every way He can. The sad part is that some will still choose the path that will bring curse on their lives. God’s word is still going out to us today, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD, your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20a)
********
Trail Stop
Tuesday - There are other places in Scripture that refer to the removing of a sandal? Can you find some of them?
Wednesday
1. Every 3rd year a special tithe was collected. Who was it designate for?
2. Below is a drawing of two mountains, Ebal and Gerizim. Write the respective tribes that were to stand one each one. This may be a good thing to refer to in the future.
Thursday
1. What are the two things God says He will take pleasure in?
2. Who was to gather for the ratification of the covenant?
Friday - How many "ifs" can you find in Chapter 30?
Knowing the points of the Law was mandatory if the people of Israel wanted to walk in the blessings of God. Breaking the Law brought guilt, guilt demanded punishment. But you can’t obey something if you don’t know the boundaries. Ignorance of the speed limit doesn’t give us the right to do whatever feel is right. The police officer that pulls you over isn’t going to say, “Oh, I didn’t know you were ignorant of the speed limit. Sorry to waste your time. You have a nice day!” You can be sure he will make you aware that it is your responsibility to know the speed limit and also to know how fast you were driving. This is basically what Moses was saying when he told them
The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. (Deuteronomy 29:29)
There was no excuse for ignorance! This week we hear God tell them that every seventh year, the sabbatical year when they were to let the earth rest and sow no crops, they were to come before the Lord. Men, women and children alike, were to gather to hear the reading of the Book of Instruction. Since they would not be working in the fields, planting crops and harvesting, they would have the time to set apart to hear this Law read in its entirety. No child over the age of seven would be ignorant of its content since it was to be read every seven years. No one could say they were too poor to own a copy of the Law, or that they were illiterate. The Word was read for them. Today we can obtain Bibles for less than the cost of a Big Mac combo! If we can’t read it for one reason or the other, there is nearly every version available on audio media. We Christians have far fewer excuses for our ignorance than did the Israelites.
God not only spoke His instructions to them before they entered the land, God commanded that they rehearse His words once they were in the land. This week we learn of His command to build an altar on Mount Ebal. On this mountain, six of the tribes would stand to represent the curses that would come upon them if they failed to heed God’s laws. Directly opposite them was Mount Gerizim with the other 6 tribes, representing the blessings. The Levites with a copy of the covenant Law was to stand between them. With each curse spoken, the people responded, “Amen.” Unfortunately, we Christians have watered down the word “amen.” Many people use it today as a substitute for “I agree.” The word holds a stronger implication. It could more accurately be stated by saying, “God said it, and therefore it is fact. So be it!” The strength of the word is found in the authority of the person who speaks it. It is also inclusive of my willingness to embrace what is said and to be bound to it. A Book of Jewish Concepts says it this way, “By pronouncing Amen the listener associates himself with what has been uttered; he makes it his own and is ready to conform to it.” Today preachers will often finish a statement by saying, “Amen?” We would be wise to use our “Amen” cautiously, making sure we believe what is spoken is truly the word of God and not a person’s opinion. “Amen” is a binding word and not to be taken lightly!
There were two trees in the Garden of Eden; one promoted the blessings of God, the other brought cursing. There were two mountains in the land God had promised; one symbolized the blessings of God, the other stood for the curses. In both cases, the blessings of God would only be achieved through obedience to His instructions. Obviously, God is speaking the concept of obedience and blessings in every way He can. The sad part is that some will still choose the path that will bring curse on their lives. God’s word is still going out to us today, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD, your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20a)
********
Trail Stop
Tuesday - There are other places in Scripture that refer to the removing of a sandal? Can you find some of them?
Wednesday
1. Every 3rd year a special tithe was collected. Who was it designate for?
2. Below is a drawing of two mountains, Ebal and Gerizim. Write the respective tribes that were to stand one each one. This may be a good thing to refer to in the future.
Thursday
1. What are the two things God says He will take pleasure in?
2. Who was to gather for the ratification of the covenant?
Friday - How many "ifs" can you find in Chapter 30?
2 comments:
Dear Shirley,I just want to let you know, that I´m up to date with reading and that God is speaking to me a lot and I´m reading all your wonderful comments, but at the moment I have a lot to learn and to prepare for my music training. That´s why I´m not able to take more time to post comments in here. I love you! Luise
Good girl. the fact that you are staying up to date is great. Thanks for your love. You are so encouraging!!!
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