Devoted to Scripture

Day 64 of the podcast, reading Deuteronomy 19-22 NET, read along at:

This is day 64 of our journey.

Today, Moses puts great emphasis on the purity of Israel. We see repeated examples that sin must be punished harshly in order to prevent wickedness from taking hold and spreading amongst God's people.  The Israelites are given instructions for war, instructions that are different for the Canaanites in the land and for people in neighboring lands.  They receive laws regarding murder, witnesses, wives, children, and the preservation of all life.  

Join me in Deuteronomy 19-22 to hear God's call upon Israel to remain pure.

Key verses:

Deuteronomy 19:19

Deuteronomy 20:3-4

Deuteronomy 21:21

Deuteronomy 22:1

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 63 of the podcast, reading Deuteronomy 15-18 NET, read along at:

This is day 63 of our journey.

As Moses continues to repeat the law, we are given more detail on different aspects of it. They are given laws about the lending of money or property. Every 7 years, debts are to be canceled and slaves are to be released.  At the same time, Israel is reminded of the promise of blessing that has been given to them as a people. If they continue to faithfully follow God's will, they will not have to worry about borrowing money.

Moses proceeds to address judges, kings, and prophets.  Each of these offices must walk uprightly.  The judge must not accept bribes or pervert justice.  The king must keep God's holy Law close to him and allow it to guide his rule.  The prophet must speak only the words of the Lord and not presume to speak his own words.

Join me in Deuteronomy 15-18 as God calls his people to live in a society that is characterized by truth, justice, and grace.

Key verses:

Deuteronomy 15:6

Deuteronomy 16:20

Deuteronomy 17:18

Deuteronomy 18:19

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 62 of the podcast, reading Deuteronomy 12-14 NET, read along at:

This is day 62 of our journey.

Today, Moses warns the people of the dangers of worshipping the foreign gods of the Canaanite people. He tells the people that all idolatry and pagan worship practices must be completely purged from the land; they must destroy the altars and places of worship, execute any man who goes astray and tries to draw others toward false gods, and they must completely destroy any city or town that has been corrupted.  Then, God leads Moses to clarify and update the laws regarding the eating of meat: now that Israel will be at home in the land of promise, they may butcher and eat in their hometowns rather than traveling to the tent of meeting, but they must remember to drain the blood completely and to bring the tithe of their firstfruits to the tabernacle to have a celebration feast before the Lord.

Join me in Deuteronomy 12-14 for God's call to remain pure in worship of him.

Key verses:

Deuteronomy 12:28

Deuteronomy 13:10

Deuteronomy 14:23

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 61 of the podcast, reading Deuteronomy 8-11 NET, read along at:

This is day 61 of our journey.

Moses is getting into the swing of his sermon. He reminds Israel of all the times during their journey that they have questioned and doubted God. He warns them against pride, "Do not think to yourself ... “Because of my own righteousness the Lord has brought me here to possess this land.” It is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out ahead of you."  He speaks of the greatness of their God, "For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God who is unbiased and takes no bribe, who justly treats the orphan and widow, and who loves resident foreigners, giving them food and clothing."  Moses also proclaims the goodness of the land they are about to possess and warns them not to reject God's laws so that they bring a curse upon the land.

Join me in Deuteronomy 8-11 to hear Moses' passion and excitement at the prospect of entering the promised land.

Key verses:

Deuteronomy 8:5-6

Deuteronomy 9:4

Deuteronomy 10:17-18

Deuteronomy 11:31-32

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 60 of the podcast, reading Deuteronomy 5-7 NET, read along at:

This is day 60 of our journey.

Moses continues to lay the foundation of the law.  He reminds Israel of the miraculous way that they originally received the Law - the Lord himself spoke to them from the cloud!  Moses encourages them to follow God's holy Laws so that they might receive God's blessing; and he warns them that, if they fail to follow the laws, they will receive judgement.  In chapter 6 we read the Shema, the Jewish call to prayer and covenant with God. "Listen, Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength." This is the same verse that Jesus quoted when asked about the greatest commandment.

Join me in Deuteronomy 5-7 and listen to the love of God for his people and his desire for you to commit yourself to Him with your whole being!

Key verses:

Deuteronomy 5:33

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Deuteronomy 7:6

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

The Shema video

Day 59 of the podcast, reading Deuteronomy 3-4 NET, read along at:

This is day 59 of our journey.

Moses is laying out the preamble for the covenant Law between God and his people.  He reminds the people of the great deliverance God granted them in the land of the Amorites and calls them to faithfully follow God in all the statutes that he is about to give.  He speaks to the mighty power of God and also to his love for Israel and his personal relationship with them.  No other God is like him!

Join me in Deuteronomy 3-4 to revel in the image of a mighty God who is jealous for his people, desiring only the best for them!

Key verses:

Deuteronomy 3:28

Deuteronomy 4:24

Deuteronomy 4:40

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 58 of the podcast, reading Deuteronomy 1-2 NET, read along at:

This is day 58 of our journey.

Deuteronomy! I'm excited to finally be here.  40 years after the faithless scouts entered Canaan and persuaded the Israelites to run away, the people of Israel are once again at the doorstep of the promised land.  As God had foretold, all of the adults from the former generation who had lived in Egypt are now dead.  This is a new generation who need to be taught the Law firsthand so that they can live by it.  Deuteronomy - "the second law" - is Moses' commissioning speech to this new generation.  He first shares the history of their people...of long journeys and of God's deliverance.  He then presents to them the laws that God has commanded.

Today we are given a quick overview of the 40 years of wandering in the desert and of the regions that God had given to Esau and Lot.  These regions are areas that the Israelites must respect and not attempt to capture.

Join me in Deuteronomy 1-2 on the banks of the Jordan, remembering the faithfulness of the Lord!

Key verses:

Deuteronomy 1:5

Deuteronomy 2:25

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 57 of the podcast, reading Numbers 34-36 NET, read along at:

This is day 57 of our journey.

The book of Numbers closes out with God's instructions regarding the borders and the division of the Promised Land. This passage defines the outer borders of the land (check the links in the description for a map) and discusses the special inheritance of the Levites (who, as priests, were given cities scattered throughout Israel as portions from every other tribe's inheritance).  The passage also establishes cities of refuge: six cities in the land that would become a place of refuge for someone who accidentally killed another.  God is Just and views life as sacred. While there must always be severe consequences for taking the life of another (just like there are consequences for every other sin), these Cities of Refuge also show us a picture of God's grace and mercy.

Join me in Numbers 34-36 to hear these final instructions and feel the anticipation of the Israelites to receive their promised home!

Key verses:

Numbers 34:13

Numbers 35:7

Numbers 35:11

Numbers 36:9

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

Defining the land of Canaan

The Borders of Israel

Day 56 of the podcast, reading Numbers 32-33 NET, read along at:

This is day 56 of our journey.

The Israelites are nearing the promised land and preparing to go in!  Today we read a list of all the places the Israelites have camped in their journey from Egypt and wandering in the desert.  38 different campsites are listed over a 40 year period. Meanwhile, on the banks of the Jordan River after taking the land of Gilead, Manasseh and Gad approach Moses with a request.  They are pleased with the land on the east of the Jordan and want to settle here. Moses grants them this land as long as they first help Israel subdue the rest of the promised land.

Join me in Numbers 32-33 as we remember the long journey that led Israel to entering the land of God's Promise.

Key verses:

Numbers 32:32

Numbers 33:1

Numbers 33:55

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 55 of the podcast, reading Numbers 30-31 NET, read along at:

This is day 55 of our journey.

Today we read about vows offered before the Lord.  These vows to the Lord were holy and were to be taken seriously. However, a vow did not usurp the authority of the head of the home.  Whether a daughter or a wife, vows offered by a woman were subject to the man's approval. This role given to the father allows him to protect his household from rash vows, but it also comes with a greater accountability.  God will hold these men accountable for the vows offered in their home.

We also read about Moses' last military undertaking.  God calls him to enact vengeance upon the Midianites for their part in causing the Israelites to worship other gods. 12000 men go into battle and completely destroy the Midianite army. After the battle, the Israelite commanders take count and realize that God has brought about victory without a single Israelite death!

Join me in Numbers 30-31 to see God's protection of the Israelite home and military.

Key verses:

Numbers 30:16

Numbers 31:1-2

Numbers 31:49

All Scriptures are from the NET.