Joshua 11-15

   The Israelites were constantly being reminded that they must daily renew their faith as they faced new difficulties and dangers in God’s mission for them…to conquer the land of Canaan.  This was the Promise Land.  It was the land that flowed with milk and honey – pleasures and plenty for the Israelites.  And because it was a land rich and fruitful, hundreds of thousands of peoples had settled there so.  The land was so diverse and rich it had been divided into 31 regions, each ruled by a king that Joshua would lead God’s people to conquer.  It was God’s intent that all Canaanite’s be destroyed or displaced because of their iniquity allowing God’s chosen people to inhabit and rule that region. 

   Remembering back to the book of Numbers: 13,  Moses sent 12 spies, one man from each of Jacobs tribes, into the land of Canaan to scope it out for things such as produce, forests, fruit, grain and livestock, and also to help decide the best approach for the conquest.  This was done at the urging of Moses’ people yet Moses asked the Lord to protect those men in this mission. Of the 12 spies, eleven brought back reports of that the conquest would be impossible due to their huge numbers.  For 11 of the spies it was a gloom and doom report, but one spy, Caleb, from the tribe of Issachar, spoke against the others saying that he had confidence in the armies of Israel because of his faith in the Lord’s promise.   We now read, in Joshua 15, that the Lord found Caleb wholly and honored him by giving him the very land he had stood on 40 years earlier.  (Joshua 15:4-15)  

   This land of Canaan was to be given to the tribes of the 12 sons of Jacob (Genesis)  thus opening the gates to this Promise Land forever.  In this regard, a bible commentary (Matthew Henry) reminds us that Joshua was a “type” of Christ.  Jesus not only conquered the gates of hell for us, but opened the gates of heaven, having purchased eternal inheritance for all believers.  Joshua led the Israelites through battle and through displeasure and tumultuous loss, opening the gates of Canaan to royal inheritance.

   Debbie reminded us that the Israelites had lived in bondage in Egypt for centuries; had wandered in the desert wilderness for decades and now found themselves fighting battle after battle with 31 kings in Canaan.  From the point where the walls for Jericho came tumbling down with nary a weapon to harsh battles where many lives were lost, the Israelites were required to seek God’s guidance each day and not rely on their own understanding. 

    That same requirement is asked of you and me.  We must keep our walk with the Lord fresh and keen by reading His Word and by communing with Him in prayer throughout each day.  If we put Him first in our lives we will find that His presence will become real throughout the day.  You’ll find that yourself asking Him, in prayer, for guidance and wisdom and you will be thanking him for His blessings.  You may even be questioning His ways, but you will be literally linked to Him with no static or interruption. 

   If you chose to hide Him in your trunk, much like you do your spare tire, under the shopping bags and department store returns, you may not even remember the Lord’s presence until a catastrophe happens.  Don’t get me wrong, the Lord will be there for you in that crisis, but you will have missed the intimacy, the peace and the joy He intended for you along the way.  I urge you - Go to Him today!  Listen to His Word. Hear his whisper. Feel the Warmth of His breath and the strength of His might.  Sway and rejoice to the harmonious melodies of hymns and song, and you will find you will be encouraged and led each day by His faithfulness and mercy.

Deuteronomy 31-34

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid, for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6


Wrapping up Deuteronomy–Nice and Neat “He is the Rock, His work is perfect.” Deut:32:4

Have you ever been pressed to think of words to describe the attributes of God? This used to be a foreign thing for me to do and my paper would be empty when asked that question. But as I have grown and matured in Christ, over the many years of my life, my awareness of His attributes have increased. Specifically this week, I noted that scripture, in Deutonomy:32, refers to our God as a Rock. Yes, God is a Divine Power. He is faithful. He is a firm foundation that cannot be moved or changed. God stands firmly against the chaos of our world of sin and corruption and is a sure foundation for us to stand on. Similarly, Christ is also known as our Firm Foundation, our Fortress, our Refuge from enemies and Christ is our Mighty Fortress. Another attribute found in this week’s beginning chapter is when God’s work is called perfect, referring to His Divine Wisdom, His inerrant ways, His perfect justice and righteousness. These two beautiful, powerful words, the Rock and Perfect, provide clear pictures of our Lord. Why don’t you add Rock and perfect to your own list of attributes?

I was so moved while reading Deuteronomy 32 which is subtitled “the Song of Moses.” It is such a beautiful expression of instruction that was written by Moses who invited all heaven and earth to witness his teaching (which included the Law and the Ten Commandments). Moses sings glory to God for His mighty power, provision and protection. The song speaks of comfort own people and concludes with words of joy. It is a solemn blessing from Moses to his people.

Moses continues with his final blessing in chapter 33 - a promise to believers that they will have strength through the Lord and will never be tempted above what they are able to bear. (Deut. 33:26-29) The very same Mighty Rock was my strength and protected me in my very own storm. You see it was only last year that our family business went through a major shock after finding accounting discrepancies that led us to filing a very painful and humbling Chapter 11. Our financial security was rocked beyond belief, our retirement plans were dissolved and our family was torn to shreds with broken spirits and prideful hearts. At the very same time my 29 year old daughter fell at death’s door after being struck by, not one, but two strokes. Two gigantic problems had crashed into my life in a very sort time. Two issues, totally out of my control, threatened my world. Both were bigger than I. Both were devastating. Did I wonder how I was going to deal with these two gigantic situations? The answer is yes, but only for one moment for when I fell to my knees before the Father and poured my heart out to Him. He wrapped His loving arms around me and held me like a child and I was quickly reassured that HE was in control. He was, in fact the Rock. Jesus is the one who gave me the strength needed to withstand the great storms in my life. He became my very own Rock and my secure Fortress. He reassured me beyond words that HE would not leave me nor forsake me. And the Holy Spirit gave me confidence to fully rely on Jesus for my strength and trust in Him alone. Then He poured out His Divine wisdom through ways I could never have imagined and I found peace within the stormy waters. (Sweet Sisters, I owe a debt of gratitude for your loving, prayerful hearts and faithful encouragement.) Now that the tidal waves have subsided I don’t find myself more wounded or defeated but rather more confident that He will not leave me, ever!

Continuing in Deuteronomy 34 we’re again reminded that Joshua has been chosen by God to bring the Israelites into the land of milk and honey but Moses is about to die. Moses was personally chosen by the Lord. He was Israel’s’ deliverer, their lawgiver, the one who led them through battle and he was their earthly judge. Moses had indeed led them to the Promised Land, but when his life would end, he would only receive a close up view of Canaan and for the Lord would call him home before crossing the River Jordan. In his 120 years of faithful service it’s clear that Moses was greater than any other prophet in the Old Testament but let me remind you that our Lord Jesus Christ goes beyond.

You see, Jesus was also sent by God as the chosen one. Jesus fulfilled all prophecy. And it is Jesus that delivers us from the bondage of sin. Jesus conquers our enemies and He gives us strength. He rescues us from the slavery of the devil and the temptations of the world and Jesus, alone, will be our judge. But there’s even more. He is the giver of love and the one who teaches forgiveness and is my Savior. Yes, Jesus is my redeemer and I proudly wave His banner high. How about you? Do you wave His banner?

Deuteronomy 16-20

“You shall rejoice before the Lord your God.”  Deuteronomy 16: 11a

     I just loved reading the first part of Chapter 16 with these repeated words:  Rejoice; You shall rejoice; you surely will rejoice; again I say rejoice.  Did you happen to catch those phrases?  Do you fill thoughts and your heart with rejoice?  Several years back we read a book by Joyce Meyer called the Battlefield of the Mind.  It didn’t take me too long to discover that my mind was cluttered, was literally littered with unhealthy thoughts and it was time for me to clean “house”.  I was quickly reminded that God wants us to be filled with His joy. And He wants YOU to rejoice in Him each and every day!   

     Today, Dawn Rawson was kind enough to share with us some of the deeper meanings that are tied to the yearly feasts that were established by the Lord our God.  These feasts have continued for over 1500 years so that when Jesus stepped foot on the earth as flesh and blood He would be recognized as the Lamb of God.  The Lord wanted there to be constant reminders of His promise that He would provide a sacrificial lamb one day – one whose blood would cover our sins and wash us white as snow.  That Lamb of God is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. But even with these constant reminders some failed to make the connection. 

     There are three main feasts that have held the nation of Israel together.  The Feast of Passover is a very solemn event making the whole month a time of discipline.  They were not to eat leavened bread which represented sin in their lives and were to sacrifice an unblemished lamb.  The Feast of Pentecost was 7 days after the Feast of Passover, whereby an offering was brought to God as a tribute to our many blessings bestowed by Him.  And finally the Feast of Tabernacles in which one rejoiced in assisting others, by supplying their needs or comforting a mourner.

     The laws concerning these three solemn feasts are summed up as so:  1. All males must make their personal appearance before God and 2. None must appear before God emptyhanded, but every man must bring some sort of offering. 

     I leave you with this: 

Have you made a personal appearance before God?  

What do you bring as your offering? 

Is it just what’s leftover or is it your firstfruit?    

…”You will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul.”  Deut. 4:29

Deuteronomy 6-10

Think about the love you have for someone here on earth.  Perhaps it’s your husband or maybe it’s a child, grandchild or even a parent.  What does that love “look” like?  I might hear comments such as:

·         I’m totally devoted to him.

·         I’m head over heels in love with him.

·         I look forward to being with him.

·         I can’t stop thinking about him.

·         I’m faithful and loyal to him.

·         I trust him completely.

·         I love it when he calls or we’re together.

·         I’m his best cheerleader. 

·         I love wearing his letter jacket and his ring. (Do you remember those days?)

Well, I have great news for you because that exactly how the LORD loves you.  He is totally devoted to you, is faithful and loyal and He goes before you to defend you.  He longs for you to have these very same feelings for HIM.  You, my sweet sister, are HIS special treasure for the Lord chose you to be His very own. (Deut 7:6) 

Now, let’s put the shoe on the other foot.  What if you overheard one you adored say things such as:

·         I forgot to call her today because I just simply got too busy.

·         Sure she helps me but look how far I’ve come on my own. 

·         Why do I need to call or be with her all the time? They know I love them.

·         She’ll understand if I don’t spend time with her

Do you get the message?  You would be crushed if you heard your heart-throb say such things and the Lord feels the same.  You and I are commanded to have no other god’s before Him so that you will have long prosperous years.  I urge you to do as He commands; throughout the day and into the night think about Him; teach His commandments to your children; and put them on the doorposts of your home; give thanks when you have eaten; and praise Him for all He’s provided.    He longs for you to know everything about Him, so dig into His Word and you will be filled to overflowing. 

   

 “You must Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength.  (Deut. 6:4-5)   

Deuteronomy 1-5

 “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.  (Deut. 4:29)

     What a glorious day to kick off our study of Deuteronomy.  The sheer excitement of being back together after a long, hot summer was only to be topped by the insights that we gleamed from this weeks’ assignment and the hearty discussion.

       Remembering our studies of Exodus and Numbers we realize that these refugees from Egypt had seen the presence of the Lord by pillar of cloud that led them by day and a tower of fire that led by night yet they still were disobedient and the Lord caused them to suffer and wander for 40 years. Also recall the numerous times when the Lord distinctly revealed His glory to Moses - concrete evidence that “He would never leave them, nor forsake them.”  (The Angel of the Lord appeared from the burning bush at Mt. Sinai; manna fell from the heavens providing daily food; Moses saw the Lord in the midst of a cloud of consuming fire (Mt. Sinai); the Lord spoke to Moses’ face to face; the Lord gave Moses the Laws, made a covenant with Israel at Mt. Sinai and the Lord assured the Israelites of His Presence.)

    We now have the people of Israel poised at the entrance to Canaan (the Promised Land) and the Lord calls on Moses to seize one last opportunity to prepare the people for their new life in the inherited land but the blessing of this land was conditional…it required obedience!  Because those entering Canaan were second generation (no person over the age of 20) the reiteration of the Covenant, the Laws and the Commandments in the book of Deuteronomy makes perfect sense.  “You shall not add to the Word which I command, nor take from it, keeping the commandments of the Lord.” (Deut. 4:2) “And teach them to your children and your grandchildren…that they may teach their children. (Deut. :9b,10b)

    Many battles had ensued (and there would be more) over the possession of this land, Moses spoke the Lord’s encouraging words to his people reminding them:

“Don’t be terrified or afraid.  The Lord your God who goes before you, He will fight for you…you saw how the Lord your God carried you…” (Deut. 1:30-31)

 “…the Lord your God Himself fights for you.  He is a Divine Warrior. (Deut. 3:22).  “

    The sheer fact that Moses would die before entering this land is a reminder that God didn’t want this story to be about Moses.  The Lord wanted it to be about the legacy Moses would leave; a legacy of obedience to the Lord even in the midst of trouble and confirmation of the faithfulness of our Lord that goes before us.  Moses was the intercessor between God and the Israelites.  How comforting to know our eternal intercessor is the Lord Jesus Christ, the very Son of God. 

   

   

Bible's Introduction to the Book of Deuteronomy

In Hebrew, Deuteronomy means “repetition of the law”. Deuteronomy locates Moses and the Israelites in the territory of Moab, in the area where the Jordan flows into the Dead Sea. As his final act at this important time of transferring leadership to Joshua, Moses delivered his farewell addresses to prepare the people for their entrance into Canaan. In them, Moses emphasized the laws that were especially needed at such a time, and he presented them in a way appropriate to the situation. In contrast to the matter-of-fact narratives of Leviticus and Numbers, here the words of Moses come to us from his heart as this servant of the Lord presses God’s claims on his people Israel.


The trajectory of the story that unfolds in Genesis-Numbers seems to call for an account of the conquest of Canaan as found in Joshua to bring closure to the movement from promise to fulfillment. But Deuteronomy intervenes as a massive nonchronological interruption. At the end of Numbers, Israel is “on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho” and at the end of Deuteronomy, the people are still there waiting to cross the Jordan.

In Deuteronomy Moses brings renewal to the Sinaitic covenant, reminding Israel what the Lord required of them if they cross the Jordan and take possession of the promised land. They are to enjoy the promise and “rest” in fellowship with the Lord. It was a word Israel needed t hear over and over again. Moses’ message? God promised to be their Protector “if” they would be faithful to him as their covenant Lord and obedient to the covenant stipulations as the people of his kingdom. There would be blessings for such obedience, but curses for disobedience.

Deuteronomy’s purpose was to prepare the new generation of the Lord’s chosen people to be his kingdom representatives in the land he had unconditionally promised them in the Abrahamic covenant. The love relationship of the Lord to his people, and that of the people to the Lord as their sovereign God, pervade the whole book. Deuteronomy’s spiritual emphasis and its call to total commitment to the Lord in worship and obedience inspired references to its message throughout the rest of Scripture.

Joshua will narrates the initial fulfillment of the promises made to the patriarchs and the conclusion to the mission on which Moses had been sent.