Deuteronomy has always sounded so harsh, but tonight it hit me. The curses in the passage aren’t God raining down fire and brimstone with a sadistic laugh on those poor sinners. They’re the natural consequence of falling away from God. Just like 3rd degree burns would be the natural consequence of pouring kerosene on yourself and striking a match. He’s warning the Israelites just how bad things can get when humans do things their own way.
it helps me so much to read your guys’ comments. it’s reassuring that im not the only one who questions things and looks for answers while i’m reading these passages. May this year of Bible reading help us go deeper and serve to increase our faith in The Lord :)
I think the word heaven might refer to the stars and moon? I think the word is for both the sky and also for our eternal home. In this case I think he’s referring to the physical sky. They won’t be the same in our eternal home. The Bible (I think in Revelation) tells us there will be a new heaven (sky) and earth. I’ll look it up again now! Thanks for keeping me thinking too!
Deuteronomy 28 has 14 verses for blessings, and 54(!!) for curses. How are we to receive these blessings? (I need to be better at these!)
-Fully obey
-Carefully follow (x2)
-Obey
-Observe & keep the commands
-Walk in His ways
-Pay attention
-Do not turn aside
-Do not follow or serve other gods
-Serve God joyfully & gladly in times of prosperity
-Revere the Lord’s name
It amazes me all the details God gave of what would happen in the OT if you didn’t follow his rules. The one reoccurring pattern I saw in today’s readings were to follow God through and through and in the end, you’d be blessed most abudently! Our God truly blesses me each day!
29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. I don’t know why but this verse keeps showing up for me. I need to pray on this.
This caught my attention today, too. Daniel 2:22-28: God reveals mysteries & dreams, deep & hidden things. 1 Cor 2:10-16 talks about how God reveals things to us through His Spirit, for now as children of God, we have the mind of Christ. Perhaps the disobedient, rebellious Israelites weren’t privy to the revelations of God. He now calls us friends, not slaves/servants. You tell your friends secrets, but slaves only know what is necessary for the task at hand.
I enjoyed the two commands in the reading today: Remember and stay awake. Both very hard things to keep up day after day, sorrow after sorrow, joy after joy. That is why we need a faithful God, I suppose.
Hey ladies, I could use some prayer and encouragement today. I have found the Pentateuch so interesting that I decided to try to find some historical information about it. And what I read really shook my faith. There is not any archeological evidence that backs up the Exodus, escape from Egypt, etc. I don’t understand why this would be and could really use some prayers and resources to better understand this. Lord help my unbelief!
Hey Stephanie! I totally understand your questioning, and I think its good- asking deeper questions is good when would purpose is to grow a deeper faith! But as for the archaeological evidence, I would guess that they haven’t found evidence of the Exodus because the Israelites wouldn’t have left much behind, since they were escaping. They were constantly moving and setting up camp, and what they had with them they would have needed throughout the journey, and so it would make sense that they would not leave anything behind that could now be found as archaeological evidence. (In the reading today it even said that though they had been wandering the wilderness for forty years their shoes and clothes hadn’t even worn out!) Other archaeological evidence that has been found has often been where there was a more permanent residence or something built- like the Temple. Basically, I think that because during the Exodus the Israelites were travelling, and not building up permanent residences, they would not have left much behind that would be now considered archeological evidence. To be honest, I’m not extremely well versed in this area either, but I hope my thoughts bring encouragement to you. God says blessed is He who believes and hasn’t seen, and He will help you with your unbelief! Keep seeking!
Ah sorry I can never see what I’m typing here! I was trying to say I appreciate you encouraging me to question. I really do it with the best intentions to better understand, but sometimes it can lead to things like this where I am just more confused. I know that God is a mystery, and I can trust in some parts of that, but I also want to be an intelligent and knowledgable believer who can make accurate agreements for God and convince others.
Hey there! This might be silly, but I watched a Netflix documentary on Exodus that gives a really detailed understanding of what archeologists “think” they know about the era. It’s really fascinating and may answer some of your questions/put your mind at ease. And, having been to Israel and stayed with a nomad-like group in the desert, they really do move about and don’t leave much behind. Even today! If I were you I’d focus on truth. How much evidence is there in the bible itself? Old Testament vs New Testament. There’s so much! There’s nothing wrong with having questions. The fact that you’re concerned enough to share this feeling, means that you’re still on a journey of faith and that in itself is so great. Don’t be discouraged. Just keep searching. I’m praying you find the answers you’re looking for.
I love this string!!! Glad to know I’m not the only one reading this year, and I will also join in prayer for you, Stephanie! And I agree, nothing wrong with questions and digging, Our God can handle it :-)
Amen Amy! Our God can handle it, and our questioning hearts often lead us to soft spots in our faith where we need His strength to believe. Thank you Lord!
Deuteronomy has always sounded so harsh, but tonight it hit me. The curses in the passage aren’t God raining down fire and brimstone with a sadistic laugh on those poor sinners. They’re the natural consequence of falling away from God. Just like 3rd degree burns would be the natural consequence of pouring kerosene on yourself and striking a match. He’s warning the Israelites just how bad things can get when humans do things their own way.
it helps me so much to read your guys’ comments. it’s reassuring that im not the only one who questions things and looks for answers while i’m reading these passages. May this year of Bible reading help us go deeper and serve to increase our faith in The Lord :)
What does Jesus mean when he says “heaven and earth will pass away” I thought heaven was forever? Could someone explain what they think
I think the word heaven might refer to the stars and moon? I think the word is for both the sky and also for our eternal home. In this case I think he’s referring to the physical sky. They won’t be the same in our eternal home. The Bible (I think in Revelation) tells us there will be a new heaven (sky) and earth. I’ll look it up again now! Thanks for keeping me thinking too!
Deuteronomy 28 has 14 verses for blessings, and 54(!!) for curses. How are we to receive these blessings? (I need to be better at these!)
-Fully obey
-Carefully follow (x2)
-Obey
-Observe & keep the commands
-Walk in His ways
-Pay attention
-Do not turn aside
-Do not follow or serve other gods
-Serve God joyfully & gladly in times of prosperity
-Revere the Lord’s name
It amazes me all the details God gave of what would happen in the OT if you didn’t follow his rules. The one reoccurring pattern I saw in today’s readings were to follow God through and through and in the end, you’d be blessed most abudently! Our God truly blesses me each day!
29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. I don’t know why but this verse keeps showing up for me. I need to pray on this.
This caught my attention today, too. Daniel 2:22-28: God reveals mysteries & dreams, deep & hidden things. 1 Cor 2:10-16 talks about how God reveals things to us through His Spirit, for now as children of God, we have the mind of Christ. Perhaps the disobedient, rebellious Israelites weren’t privy to the revelations of God. He now calls us friends, not slaves/servants. You tell your friends secrets, but slaves only know what is necessary for the task at hand.
❤
I enjoyed the two commands in the reading today: Remember and stay awake. Both very hard things to keep up day after day, sorrow after sorrow, joy after joy. That is why we need a faithful God, I suppose.
I liked both of those too. Especially the stay awake. It’s easy to forget to be aware of what is occurring around us and to not dismiss it so quickly.
Hey ladies, I could use some prayer and encouragement today. I have found the Pentateuch so interesting that I decided to try to find some historical information about it. And what I read really shook my faith. There is not any archeological evidence that backs up the Exodus, escape from Egypt, etc. I don’t understand why this would be and could really use some prayers and resources to better understand this. Lord help my unbelief!
Hey Stephanie! I totally understand your questioning, and I think its good- asking deeper questions is good when would purpose is to grow a deeper faith! But as for the archaeological evidence, I would guess that they haven’t found evidence of the Exodus because the Israelites wouldn’t have left much behind, since they were escaping. They were constantly moving and setting up camp, and what they had with them they would have needed throughout the journey, and so it would make sense that they would not leave anything behind that could now be found as archaeological evidence. (In the reading today it even said that though they had been wandering the wilderness for forty years their shoes and clothes hadn’t even worn out!) Other archaeological evidence that has been found has often been where there was a more permanent residence or something built- like the Temple. Basically, I think that because during the Exodus the Israelites were travelling, and not building up permanent residences, they would not have left much behind that would be now considered archeological evidence. To be honest, I’m not extremely well versed in this area either, but I hope my thoughts bring encouragement to you. God says blessed is He who believes and hasn’t seen, and He will help you with your unbelief! Keep seeking!
That is a good point Shyla and I appreencouragingly
Ah sorry I can never see what I’m typing here! I was trying to say I appreciate you encouraging me to question. I really do it with the best intentions to better understand, but sometimes it can lead to things like this where I am just more confused. I know that God is a mystery, and I can trust in some parts of that, but I also want to be an intelligent and knowledgable believer who can make accurate agreements for God and convince others.
Hey there! This might be silly, but I watched a Netflix documentary on Exodus that gives a really detailed understanding of what archeologists “think” they know about the era. It’s really fascinating and may answer some of your questions/put your mind at ease. And, having been to Israel and stayed with a nomad-like group in the desert, they really do move about and don’t leave much behind. Even today! If I were you I’d focus on truth. How much evidence is there in the bible itself? Old Testament vs New Testament. There’s so much! There’s nothing wrong with having questions. The fact that you’re concerned enough to share this feeling, means that you’re still on a journey of faith and that in itself is so great. Don’t be discouraged. Just keep searching. I’m praying you find the answers you’re looking for.
I love this string!!! Glad to know I’m not the only one reading this year, and I will also join in prayer for you, Stephanie! And I agree, nothing wrong with questions and digging, Our God can handle it :-)
Amen Amy! Our God can handle it, and our questioning hearts often lead us to soft spots in our faith where we need His strength to believe. Thank you Lord!
Thank you all so much! So thankful for your prayers and encouragement!