God sent His words to the people thru Moses. “These are the words of the covenant that the LORD commanded Moses to make with the people of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant that he had made with them at Horeb.” (Deuteronomy 29:1) He told them that anything they needed to know He would share with them, but some things only God knows. “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to…
As they were given the Promised Land, God also gave the people commands of what he expected of them. “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt…
In this section of scripture we read very specific laws from God. These Old Testament laws were made obsolete by our Savior on the cross. “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14) In the verses immediately prior to these…
When His people went to battle and were doing His will, God was with them. “And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against…
God allowed His people to appoint a king like the nations around them, but He gave specific instructions for the king to follow. Part of those instructions involved how to handle God’s words. “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may…
Part of God’s command to the Israelite people was how they would handle those who were less fortunate. “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’” (Deuteronomy 15:11) We can read some Proverbs that also let us know God’s feeling toward those who share their blessings. “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and…
God gave specific instructions that He wanted His people to follow. “These are the statutes and rules that you shall be careful to do in the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth.” (Deuteronomy 12:1) At the end of those instructions being told, it was reiterated that He was serious about them following His instructions. “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall…
God has always made clear the requirements of His people. “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13 NKJV) Jesus spoke similar words…
Moses warned the people to not let their riches cause them to become arrogant. “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18) In Proverbs we read a similar statement. “Two things I ask of you;…
After Moses reminded the Israelites of the Ten Commandments, he then shared with them one more command. “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) This is similar to the answer Jesus gave to the Pharisees when one of them ask Him what was the great commandment. “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul…