1 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.
Deut 28:23 “The heaven which is over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you, iron”. Bronze heaven as in “no rain”? Or “no communication with God”?
What stood out to me in Deuteronomy’s reading was the knowledge that the Lord gives us. Deut. 29:4 – but to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands. I know personally, I find myself asking “why?” to God. But the answer we seek isn’t ours to know – He hasn’t given us the knowledge to understand why. HE is all-knowing. He knows why certain events take place in our lives. Most of the time, it is to strengthen our faith & trust in Him. BUT He has given us the only answer we do need. As Deut. 29 continues from v. 4, He gave the Israelites so many signs that showed that He is Lord. Our answer is He is God and we are not. That is the only answer we truly need, that He is God, and He is in control, and we can trust Him with the “why.”
Also, the Deuteronomy reading is so graphically harsh in the warnings given to God’s people. It is hard to reconcile those readings with the forgiveness we are able to have today through Jesus. God was the same God then. Just thinking a lot….
I think about that too. It’s so hard to think that now we are forgiven but then He had such strict laws. It makes me wonder if I could truly live right if I lived during that time. I thank God that Jesus was sent for the forgiveness of my sins.
Well I think the idea is still aim towards holiness. There is grace when we fall because of Jesus Christ but there should be a repentant heart of a believer and a desire for godliness in our lives. There should be fruit in a believer. I think it’s more of a heart think than an actual literal set of rules. We try to follow the “rules” not because we have to but because we want to…be used we trust that God has forbidden certain things not to hurt us, but for our benefit and because it’s best. When we disobey we tell God we don’t trust him that his will, not our own, is best.
Yes, God was the same God then – but his sending of his own son fundamentally changed his relationship with his people because Christ made reparations for our sins. At least that’s my understanding of it. It is refreshing, in a sense, to hear the commands of the OT…especially in this culture of growing moral relativism.
The Elect, whom He has chosen… In verse 20. Who is the “elect” ? Is it us? Christians? All Christians? I have heard discussion about just who is the “elect” and I remain confused. Any thoughts on this, ladies?
I looked up “Election” in the Zondervan Bible Dictionary and it described God’s election of the chosen in detail. To summarize: Being chosen by God makes you an “elected” one. In the OT God chose the Israelites as well as selected individuals to be His elected. “In the NT, Jesus is the Elected One ( Luke 9:35), in whom the election of Israel and of the church of God of the new covenant find their meaning and center.” ( pg172-173) ” God destined us in love to be his sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ ( Eph 1:5). So the Church of God is an elect race.” (Pg 173)
Hope this helps. We, true Christians, are His elected.
BE ALERT! carefully follow his commands… I realize that I don’t even know what all of his commands are so I am thankful that He is helping me stay faithful on my daily 365 readings!
The reading in Deuteronomy has brought a new awareness of how serious God is about idols and the things we put before Him. It’s not necessarily a gold or wooden object. It could be our job, our time, our spouse or kids, an obsession with health or fitness, something we’re reading, social media, magazines, etc. It’s making me think “what am I putting before God, what are the idols in my life”? this morning.
I have been thinking a lot about the false idols I worship. Deuteronomy has been a very eye opening reading for me – I am praying to God that I can stop putting ‘things’ before Him.
Mark13: 32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come.
2John 1:8 Watch out that you do not loose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Each day, all day, we should strive to live as if it is our last day to honor Him. It maybe.
1 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.
Deut 28:23 “The heaven which is over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you, iron”. Bronze heaven as in “no rain”? Or “no communication with God”?
What stood out to me in Deuteronomy’s reading was the knowledge that the Lord gives us. Deut. 29:4 – but to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands. I know personally, I find myself asking “why?” to God. But the answer we seek isn’t ours to know – He hasn’t given us the knowledge to understand why. HE is all-knowing. He knows why certain events take place in our lives. Most of the time, it is to strengthen our faith & trust in Him. BUT He has given us the only answer we do need. As Deut. 29 continues from v. 4, He gave the Israelites so many signs that showed that He is Lord. Our answer is He is God and we are not. That is the only answer we truly need, that He is God, and He is in control, and we can trust Him with the “why.”
Well said!!
very well said!
Also, the Deuteronomy reading is so graphically harsh in the warnings given to God’s people. It is hard to reconcile those readings with the forgiveness we are able to have today through Jesus. God was the same God then. Just thinking a lot….
I think about that too. It’s so hard to think that now we are forgiven but then He had such strict laws. It makes me wonder if I could truly live right if I lived during that time. I thank God that Jesus was sent for the forgiveness of my sins.
Well I think the idea is still aim towards holiness. There is grace when we fall because of Jesus Christ but there should be a repentant heart of a believer and a desire for godliness in our lives. There should be fruit in a believer. I think it’s more of a heart think than an actual literal set of rules. We try to follow the “rules” not because we have to but because we want to…be used we trust that God has forbidden certain things not to hurt us, but for our benefit and because it’s best. When we disobey we tell God we don’t trust him that his will, not our own, is best.
Yes, God was the same God then – but his sending of his own son fundamentally changed his relationship with his people because Christ made reparations for our sins. At least that’s my understanding of it. It is refreshing, in a sense, to hear the commands of the OT…especially in this culture of growing moral relativism.
The Elect, whom He has chosen… In verse 20. Who is the “elect” ? Is it us? Christians? All Christians? I have heard discussion about just who is the “elect” and I remain confused. Any thoughts on this, ladies?
I looked up “Election” in the Zondervan Bible Dictionary and it described God’s election of the chosen in detail. To summarize: Being chosen by God makes you an “elected” one. In the OT God chose the Israelites as well as selected individuals to be His elected. “In the NT, Jesus is the Elected One ( Luke 9:35), in whom the election of Israel and of the church of God of the new covenant find their meaning and center.” ( pg172-173) ” God destined us in love to be his sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ ( Eph 1:5). So the Church of God is an elect race.” (Pg 173)
Hope this helps. We, true Christians, are His elected.
Thank you, Yana ! :)
BE ALERT! carefully follow his commands… I realize that I don’t even know what all of his commands are so I am thankful that He is helping me stay faithful on my daily 365 readings!
The reading in Deuteronomy has brought a new awareness of how serious God is about idols and the things we put before Him. It’s not necessarily a gold or wooden object. It could be our job, our time, our spouse or kids, an obsession with health or fitness, something we’re reading, social media, magazines, etc. It’s making me think “what am I putting before God, what are the idols in my life”? this morning.
I am wondering about the same thing, Kristin!
I have been thinking a lot about the false idols I worship. Deuteronomy has been a very eye opening reading for me – I am praying to God that I can stop putting ‘things’ before Him.
Mark13: 32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come.
2John 1:8 Watch out that you do not loose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Each day, all day, we should strive to live as if it is our last day to honor Him. It maybe.