Below is some basic information about Deuteronomy that will help with context and understanding the book as a whole. Deuteronomy is the book Jesus quoted most often. In the WILDERNESS when HE was tempted by Satan HE quoted Deuteronomy, check it out in Matt 4. In Deut 8:2-3, not only do we see the words Jesus quoted to Satan in the wilderness, we are taught why God allowed the Israelites to endure what they did in the WILDERNESS...and we get a picture of why our heavenly Father allows us to be tried and tested, why we are allowed to experience a spiritual wilderness...2 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. HE allows us to be tested to teach us, to reveal to us what is in our hearts. To enable us to understand that we were created to have a relationship with HIM, to delight in HIM, rejoice in HIM, to Worship HIM and HIM alone, to love HIM.
As Deuteronomy opens, the people of Israel are camped on plains just across the Jordan River from Canaan. All in the generation that saw so many miracles when God broke the bonds of their slavery in Egypt are gone, victims of their unwillingness to trust the Lord. A new generation has grown to maturity during 40 years of wilderness wanderings. This new generation, which has “held fast to the Lord” (Deut. 4:4), is poised, eager to cross the Jordan River and challenge the entrenched power of the Canaanites.
But Moses, the leader whose piety and commitment to God Israel has come to trust, is about to die. It will be a new leader, Joshua, who takes the armies of the Lord into battle across the river. Moses, aware of his personal destiny, assembles the people he has led and loved to hear his final words. These words, captured for us on the pages of Deuteronomy, sum up the central truths and basic principles Moses has come to understand through his many years of intimate relationship with the Lord. Speaking under the inspiration of God’s Spirit, Moses rehearses the history of God’s saving work for Israel. He explains the motives that lie behind God’s choice of Israel and God’s gift of the Law. And Moses goes on to review and to add to earlier instructions for holy living.
These chapters contain the bulk of Moses’ first sermon to the Israelites assembled on the plains of Moab and eager to conquer Canaan (1:1–5). They lay the historical basis for the relationship between God and Israel defined in Deuteronomy.
That basis, Moses says, is the covenant promises God made to Abraham (vv. 6–8), confirmed in all God has done to keep those promises. Thus the theme of these chapters is the faithfulness of God—and His demand for a faithful people. Though Moses carefully appointed leaders (vv. 9–18), Israel rebelled against the Lord at Kadesh, and was condemned to wander in the wilderness (1:19–2:1). Even there God watched over Israel and defeated their enemies (2:2–3:11). God sealed His commitment by giving Israel the Transjordan (vv. 12–20). But God showed the necessity of total faithfulness. He refused to let Moses enter Canaan for a single act of disobedience (vv. 21–27).
God will be faithful. Joshua will lead Israel to victory (vv. 28–29). Yet to have God’s help, Israel must be faithful to God.
Key verses. 1:30, 43; 2:7: God’s love is seen most clearly against the backdrop of human failure.
Personal application. Look back and see what lessons God has taught you as you lived your life with Him.
Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (119). Wheaton: Victor Books.
I pray that you and I will devour and feast on the Word of God in Deuteronomy. I believe that you will find it is an incredible banquet that the Lord has set before us...taste and see...HE is good! What did Jesus say? My food is to do the will of HIM who sent me to accomplish HIS work! What is the food you are working for and thinking about during the sermon or midmorning. "For we are HIS workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which HE has before ordained that we should walk in them." For those not in class yesterday, "workmanship" is the Greek word "poiema." Do you see another English word in there? It is the same word we get our word "poem" from. LET THIS SINK IN...YOU ARE HIS "POEM" WORKMANSHIP CREATED TO FILL YOUR STOMACH? NO...CREATED UNTO GOOD WORKS...HE HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE...AND I PROMISE THAT IT IS NOT THE AMERICAN DREAM!
Psalm 67 reminded me of the verses in Revelation that speak of heaven being filled with people "Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation." These are people that are and will be very different from me, that is a good thing. Before the Cross of Jesus Christ there is no social or economic status it is just the redeemed. Heaven will be filled with an incredible diversity of redeemed people...to the praise and glory of God!
Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
Rev 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—
PSALM 67
God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us, Selah 2 That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, And govern the nations on earth. Selah 5 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 6 Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us, And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.
A day is coming when the created universe, every creature will go nuts at the appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is a little humorous at the things that people worship...basketball, and basketball players...it just depends on the season or the sport. There are countless other idols, music icons, financial wizards on Wall Street etc.
When HE returns, HE being Jesus and the created universe, every angelic being, every human will bow the knee and the created universe will erupt with praise and appropriate worship for the one true KING.
Philippians 2:9-18
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Light Bearers
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.