Quantum leap?

We have finished the Pentatuch, the first 5 books of the Bible. Moses has delivered the people out of Egypt, given the law twice (to different generations), and has them on the edge of the promised land. Rest in peace Moses.

The giving of the law twice? Yep. So there must be something worth paying attention to. God is no cosmic killjoy, out to make you miserable with needless rules & regs. His commands and warnings are for our ultimate good! Think about the simple laws of the highway today...without em, there'd be problems galore!


Moses was faithful, honest with God, and obedient. In fact his lone act of disobedience was enough to keep him out of the promised land. He provided a legacy for others.

Don't be afrraid to look back in any of the 1st five books. There is much to glean and pass on!

Finishing strong!

he 2nd month (Feb that is).

Deut 31--34 closes in blazing fashion. Moses reminds the nation of who they are, where they are going, but most importantly, who is leading! You thought I meant Joshua didn't you. Tsk tsk.

In 31v7-8, Moses prepares Joshua assuring him that God will be with him. Keep that in mind later this week when we read Josh 1:9. Also, ch 33v7, note 1 Chron 4:10 beside it...that is now known as the prayer of Jabez....amazing how consistent this book is!!!

Leaving a legacy is key! Moses did and we'll see that the nation followed God and was blessed. Joshua, not so much....we'll get to that soon. Who is your legacy???

Obedience and the price for not

We are plowing through Deut,, hitting ch 27-30. Wow, if you read those chpts and that doesn't GRAB your attention, seek medical treatment. Interesting how much of that came to pass at the times of the Assyrian, Babylonian and esp the Roman assults, exile and defeat (see 70ad).

It should be a wake up call for us today as well. God still desires our obedience. We veer off track, pursuing things of the world...plastic stuff as Dave Ramsey might say. Well, plastic might not rot or decay as easy as wood, but it will give you similar response when you talk to it or worship it.

Keep in mind that when we do go off path, God will restore us when we seek him (30v2). He loves us in a way we can never fully understand. How are we loving each other?

is God enough...

Today in Deut 17-20 we read about Moses directing the people on how to run the nation, how to test a prophet and even how to wage war!
Look closely at ch 18. V15-22 are key. As we read along about other prophets, keep this criteria in mind.
Also, it may seem esp cruel to us how God told the Israelites to wipe out completely the inhabitants of the land...but check out Ch 18v8-14. Reason behind the instruction.

One lesson to take away from this is that God will provide. We'll see that struggle again in the book of Samuel where the nation desires a king.....Is God enough?

Twice is Nice...

Reading today in Deut 12-16, you could say this sounds familiar. It should! Moses is reviewing the law he recieved in Ex and Lev with the nation almost 40 years later. The generation that left Egypt has died for their unbelief. Now, the descendants are poised to take the land and Moses is reviewing all of the law and regulations.

It must be important if God allowed it to be in scripture twice! The point to take away is not the process, rather obedience!!! God still calls us to obedience today!!!

Rememberance and Grace

Ever meet an Anakite? Probably not. These were a nation of giants that God wiped out for the Israelites to take their land. We see Moses recounting these events to the children of the wandering Israelites in Deut 8-11.

Rememberance is key. A good question to ask oneself is "if the Lord never did another thing for you, would it be enough? Has He done enough for us already?". We tend to ask God for more, making requests about health, finance, success, etc....

Has He done enough? The good news is that He has done enough, but keeps giving out of His grace and love. Romans 5:8 is a clear message of how He still gives...."while we were still sinners, Christ died FOR us"......

True God, or other gods?????

In Deut 5-7, Moses is reviewing the 10 commandments as well as reminding the Israelites about their history and what will be required of them once in the promised land. Moses warned them not to abandon God. He knew the ever present danger of substituting something for the all important someone!

Interesting reading in ch 6:4-5......perhaps we've heard that somewhere else.....let's see....where could....oh yes, Matt 23:37.....the words of Jesus himself!!!

If a god is defined as anything that has the potential to replace God as the focus of your life, what will be the most dangerous god you encounter today? Be ye careful.....