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Choose a selfless life for the salvation of the world (Deuteronomy 29–30)
Moses said effectively, “Choose life, not death” (Deut. 30:19–20). It sounds like such an easy thing to do. But the truth is that it’s easier to walk the path of death than it is to walk the path of life. Our “flesh” drags us to follow our own inclinations, what we think is right rather than what God thinks and what He has taught us is right. In the Torah portion נִצָּבִים Nitzavim (“standing,” Deut. 29:9–30:20), Moses tells us that the Torah is not too hard for us, but it can be immensely difficult for us if we are not following through in letting the Spirit of God lead us.
In this study
Choosing life that leads to deathWhy are the punishments against Israel’s disobedience so severe?God’s Law ‘is not too difficult’? Seriously?Is the LORD’s vengeance being poured out in wildfires, floods and hurricanes?Lesson of the Flood and Sodom: ‘God and I have an understanding.’ ‘Oh, bless your heart!’ (Deut. 29:14–21)
The theme of the Torah portion נִצָּבִים Nitzavim (“standing,” Deut. 29:9–30:20) is that we should choose the “worldview,” the way to live that ultimately will last and will lift up the world long-term, rather than contribute to its downfall.
Choosing life that leads to death
That should be self-explanatory, but there are many who prefer destruction, chaos and death rather than creating, order and life. People covet power and use chaos, destruction and domination to do so. People easily get drunk on their own power over others. Power is very seductive.
However, life is also seductive. In times of panic and chaos, people have trampled others to preserve their lives at the expense of others’ lives. In choosing life over death, one has to ask, “At what cost?”
For example, Daniel’s friends chose life, even as they were facing martyrdom because they refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol (Daniel 6). They chose loyalty to God and eternal life over a few more hours or years of life on this earth. They didn’t know they were going to live to see another day.
The fiery furnace was very painful and uninviting. They had no idea God was going to miraculously save them, because to them, choosing life meant obeying God no matter what the king or anyone else said.
Look at what is happening with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Afghanistan. Several thousand have been rescued so far, and there are a number still on the run or in hiding. They have made their decision to follow Yeshua. They are walking in the way of the Messiah.
For us, following Yeshua may get us in trouble with our employer or with the local government, but in other parts of the world, harassment and persecution for the sake of Yeshua have been going on for decades and generations.
Yeshua said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13 NASB). Yeshua gave us the best example on how to lay one’s life ...
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By Hallel FellowshipMoses said effectively, “Choose life, not death” (Deut. 30:19–20). It sounds like such an easy thing to do. But the truth is that it’s easier to walk the path of death than it is to walk the path of life. Our “flesh” drags us to follow our own inclinations, what we think is right rather than what God thinks and what He has taught us is right. In the Torah portion נִצָּבִים Nitzavim (“standing,” Deut. 29:9–30:20), Moses tells us that the Torah is not too hard for us, but it can be immensely difficult for us if we are not following through in letting the Spirit of God lead us.
In this study
Choosing life that leads to deathWhy are the punishments against Israel’s disobedience so severe?God’s Law ‘is not too difficult’? Seriously?Is the LORD’s vengeance being poured out in wildfires, floods and hurricanes?Lesson of the Flood and Sodom: ‘God and I have an understanding.’ ‘Oh, bless your heart!’ (Deut. 29:14–21)
The theme of the Torah portion נִצָּבִים Nitzavim (“standing,” Deut. 29:9–30:20) is that we should choose the “worldview,” the way to live that ultimately will last and will lift up the world long-term, rather than contribute to its downfall.
Choosing life that leads to death
That should be self-explanatory, but there are many who prefer destruction, chaos and death rather than creating, order and life. People covet power and use chaos, destruction and domination to do so. People easily get drunk on their own power over others. Power is very seductive.
However, life is also seductive. In times of panic and chaos, people have trampled others to preserve their lives at the expense of others’ lives. In choosing life over death, one has to ask, “At what cost?”
For example, Daniel’s friends chose life, even as they were facing martyrdom because they refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol (Daniel 6). They chose loyalty to God and eternal life over a few more hours or years of life on this earth. They didn’t know they were going to live to see another day.
The fiery furnace was very painful and uninviting. They had no idea God was going to miraculously save them, because to them, choosing life meant obeying God no matter what the king or anyone else said.
Look at what is happening with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Afghanistan. Several thousand have been rescued so far, and there are a number still on the run or in hiding. They have made their decision to follow Yeshua. They are walking in the way of the Messiah.
For us, following Yeshua may get us in trouble with our employer or with the local government, but in other parts of the world, harassment and persecution for the sake of Yeshua have been going on for decades and generations.
Yeshua said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13 NASB). Yeshua gave us the best example on how to lay one’s life ...