Who is God? And, how can we find God - Bible answers.

By Joseph MalekaniReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Who is God? And, how can we find God - Bible answers. episodes

August 29, 2021 Deuteronomy 29 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/29/deuteronomy-29-commentary/
Deuteronomy 29 Commentary
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The chapter recounts the two occasions when the LORD gave regulations: at Horeb and in the plains of Moab. Chief among them is the command to serve the LORD and him alone. Israel is no stranger to the many signs and wonders of the LORD, starting from Egypt to this very point. Reference is made to the signs in Egypt against Pharaoh.

Yes, these are signs or symbols. They show us something about the nature of Jehovah God. They show the LORD'S mighty while at the same time they show us the nothingness of the many gods of other nations, Egypt included.

The LORD'S care over His peoples is underlined. For now Moses explains that the suffering, pain and difficulties that Israel experienced were for a purpose. The LORD wanted to be known as the provider, after cutting off Israel's natural supplies by isolation in the wilderness.

These lines may help you appreciate the times when the LORD has cut off support from under your feet - when your best effort to stand has helped your falling. When human wisdom fails, the LORD becomes the only wisdom we can acknowledge. A time when human intelligence fails you is a time when you pray for direction. You no longer want to be intelligent. These moments help us get back to the LORD. Israel’s suffering wasn’t purposeless, after all.

Idolatry is always a possibility even today - probably even a greater danger than we think. Science and technology, careers, sports and entertainment, even ministry itself can all distract us from the LORD of creation. The saint is warned not to have gods apart from the LORD.

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29 verse 29.

Chapter 29 closes with verse 29. When read within the context of the few chapters preceding it, this famous verse becomes even more relevant. What the scripture records for us is for us to obey and draw life from there. The other things are secrets for the LORD. It's a choice a man makes to either live in confusion over unsearchable things of life, or find life's meaning within the law as given. The simplicity of the gospel is that it can be understood by all, regardless of academic achievement or body makeup.
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3 min
August 28, 2021 Deuteronomy 28 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/28/deuteronomy-28-commentary/

5 min
August 27, 2021 Deuteronomy 27 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/27/deuteronomy-27-commentary/
Deuteronomy 27 Commentary
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The law is to be kept permanently. The choice of stone as print material speaks of perpetuity of the law. It's meant to last. It endures. Israel must erect symbols to keep her reminded of the central role of the law. It represents the terms of the covenant between Israel and God.

Verse 1 talks of Moses and the leaders while verse 9 talks of Moses and the Levitical priests. The entire leadership structure was involved. It emphasizes the need for leadership in the worship of the LORD.

The laws are to be recited publicly and loudly. Like in chapter 26 verbal declarations of the laws of God form an important part of prayer. Here in chapter 27 each declaration is terminated by an ‘Amen’. It means that the worshipper must be in agreement with the law of the LORD as they pray. How does the Lord’s Prayer conform to this thought here? In the declaration that ‘your will be done’, the saint is basically reciting the law as the law embodies the will of the LORD.
“You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” Amen. Can this be prayer? Yes. Powerful? Yes. Sensible? Yes. Verbally declaring the law of the LORD and saying amen to it is truly powerful.
Verse 26 summarizes the declarations. “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

The scripture gives us an understanding that curses need not necessarily be statements pronounced by some sorcerer or evil man seeking to cause harm to the saint. Curses come with failure to uphold the law of the LORD. We may look back at the story of Balaam with a better understanding. Balaam could pronounce curses but against Israel these would have been empty words. The saint living in obedience can receive bad words but these would be completely empty and devoid of power. Real curses against the saint come with disobedience.

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3 min
August 26, 2021 Deuteronomy 26 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/26/deuteronomy-26-commentary/
Deuteronomy 26 Commentary
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The regulations concerning the first fruits and tithes reveal an attitude of thankfulness expected of Israel. But there is actually more. An Israelite man is commanded to recite the history of Israel before the LORD. They needed to know at all times who they were and where they came from.

The declarations constitute prayer before the LORD. The main lines here tell us what should be important in prayer.

Firstly is the declaration that we have settled in the land of promise. We are confirming that the LORD has fulfilled His promises to us. The basket full of fruits is the evidence. Make your prayer personal and close to your heart. This seems to be the message. The saint today cannot be short of words before the LORD. We can reflect on our own lives by reciting key moments in our journey. There was a moment when I wandered about with an application letter. The monthly income is the evidence of the LORD’S blessing over my life. Indeed there isn’t a man who isn’t guilty of receiving free gifts from the LORD. There is so much evidence for an easy conviction. This should make thanksgiving easier.
Secondly, there is an admission that the LORD has provided an increase and caused fruitfulness. He began by providing the ground (land) and went on to provide fruitfulness. Every decent prayer involves a deep appreciation of the LORD'S involvement in our day-to-day activities.

Thirdly and possibly the impossible part is the prayer of confession.

Then say to the Lord your God: “I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them.
Deuteronomy 26 verse 13.

In our culture confession is often encouraged but in the negative. But the scripture encourages us to confess in the positive, mainly. It takes huge courage to complete the confession in this chapter. Many of us would chock almost immediately through these lines. Indeed that is the purpose of prayer. A prayer session that doesn't find you wanting and fails to leave you awe-struck is clearly lacking some important components.

The chapter closes with a call to obedience. It's a condition in the contract - the covenant.
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3 min
August 25, 2021 Deuteronomy 25 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/25/deuteronomy-25-commentary/
Deuteronomy 25 Commentary
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The opening statement emphasizes the need for justice in the community. As stated, justice is convicting the guilty and acquitting the innocent. Injustice on the other hand would be convicting the innocent while acquitting the guilty. Our society is guilty of the latter.

For cases that deserved beating, the guilty would be flogged no more than 40 lashes. We are reminded of the flogging that the LORD Jesus suffered. You would guess he received the maximum number of lashes possible. The Apostle Paul received this kind of punishment on several occasions. 2 Corinthians 11verse 24.

The New Testament has several references to this chapter.

Verse 4 was referenced by the apostle Paul to indicate the need for workers in the LORD'S field to be supported. "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain"

Verses 5 and 6 are probably the subject of an argument that the teachers of the law and Sudducees presented to Jesus. It's about seven brothers married to one woman – technically made possible because of the regulation in this chapter. Matthew 22 verse 25.

We may think of this law as one meant to protect the woman. Loss of a husband meant loss of support and personal worth. It also meant loss of wealth as property was largely held by men. A detailed look at laws like this would reveal a deeper sense of justice. The law was sensitive enough to understand the peculiar circumstances that the woman found herself in. It is beautiful!

Hitting a man below the belt disqualifies one from the boxing match. A woman who literally seizes an assailant ‘below the belt’ in an attempt to rescue her husband suffers the worst punishment – amputation of her hand. The severity of the punishment points to the sanctity of sexuality. It must be treated as such - not even when there appears to be a justification for crossing the boundaries. That is what makes pornography such an evil. It desecrates the sanctity of sexuality by exposing what should not be exposed.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
3 min
August 24, 2021 Deuteronomy 24 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/24/deuteronomy-24-commentary/
Deuteronomy 24 Commentary
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Rules on divorce are meant to discourage jokers from having a free ride. The union between a man and a woman is serious and is meant to last. Animal-like behavior where you marry and feel very free to divorce and remarry (the same divorced woman) again displeases the LORD.

We have more laws on social interactions. A newly married man should have time with his wife. A period of one year suggests care beyond matrimonial duties of a man to his wife. Commercial transactions should reflect the righteousness of God. Interestingly, the LORD is said to have interest in these transactions. The LORD is pleased when a good is done and it follows that unrighteousness in these interactions displeases the LORD.

Laws on social interactions are extended to labor laws. Poor workers who depend on a daily income for survival must be paid promptly. During harvest, deliberately leave pickings so that the fatherless and the widows can survive on the pickings left behind.

By this chapter the LORD seeks to extend His generosity to the needy via the saint. It is obvious: Like begat like. Like our heavenly father, we should possess a sense of responsibility towards one another. The major complaint against the Old Testament law isn't that it is old and outdated, rather that it is too holy. But the cross gives us help to pass this very tight exam
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2 min
August 23, 2021 Deuteronomy 23 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/23/deuteronomy-23-commentary/
Deuteronomy 23 Commentary
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This is for men. Castration or any other form of deformity on the private parts leads to exclusion from the sanctuary. Deformity doesn't represent the perfection that the Sanctuary should stand for. Deformity in the life-giving systems represents deformity in life itself thereby misrepresenting the intentions of the perfect LORD.

Like deformity, birth from an improper union between man and woman misrepresents the original plan of the LORD, hence the exclusion from the place meant to project perfection. It looks unfair on the 'innocent' siblings. It also looks unfair on us that we have to suffer exclusion based on the sin of Adam. For others, maybe, but for me the exclusion will be justified on account of my own sins. It is this very unfair situation that the LORD addresses when He comes down as man, so that none of us is excluded on account of 'this' sin. Belief in the LORD Jesus therefore serves as a channel out of a scandalous situation.

The situation for Ammonites and Moabites is easily understood. They represent peoples opposed to the purposes of God. But this exclusion is not cast in steel and concrete. A Moabite who embraces and respects the commands of the LORD may break this curse. The story of Ruth stands out. It's a story of a Moabite woman who turns to Israel's God and actually becomes the human ancestor of the LORD Jesus.

From the story of Ruth we can tell that the moment the gate-valve opens, water flows. The gate-valve is man's rebellion against God. Open the gate-valve and the restrictions all disappear at once. The rules are softer on Edom and Egypt. While many remember Egypt for the enslavement of Israel, it is the choice of Egypt by the LORD to host the young nation of Israel which shines brighter.

Again as with monthly periods for women, men's nocturnal emissions are a sign of uncleanliness. It has something to do with life processes. After the fall, the factory produces children in the wrong image – in the image of man and not the image of God. The process is seen as dirty because of the end product. It points us to a need for a better life-giving process. The symbolism here is powerful. We can reflect on the call to be born-again as an answer to the imperfect life-giving process.

It is interesting that while uncleanliness such as uncovered human excrement may host diseases, it is not the reason the saint should have for seeking cleanliness. Of first importance is the fact that the LORD hates uncleanliness. Sin is always an offense against the LORD. It may affect the sinner himself and or others, but firstly it is rebellion against God.

Prostitution is an old occupation. The LORD has words about it. The LORD is not to be worshipped with sinfully obtained wealth.

If you enter your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat all the grapes you want, but do not put any in your basket.
Deuteronomy 23:24 NIV

It may appear like an instruction to steal except steal only what you need. No. It points to the need for one not to overstay their welcome. It's an instruction not to overdo a good. Care-givers must not be abused to the point where they begin to regret helping out. It's a call for balance in our social interactions. Even a good speech becomes bad when it is too long. I'll end here.
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4 min
August 22, 2021 Deuteronomy 22 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/22/deuteronomy-22-commentary/
Deuteronomy 22 Commentary
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We have more laws for the community. By looking at these laws we can see the heart of the LORD. It's a picture of perfection. One is required to be a brother's keeper.

“A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this.” Deuteronomy 22 verse 5.
The message is simple: don’t delete the dividing lines between the genders. The LORD hates perversion. Don’t diminish the dignified view of sexuality. Know and respect the difference. When boundaries are compromised both men and women feel less restricted. Men no longer know what it means to be men and motherhood is simply an event. Gender roles no longer matter. Consequences are many: same-sex marriages, poor parenting and an endless list of problems. The root cause is a lack of respect for God's design.
These laws are amazing! They project perfection in other areas such as conservation. You cannot define responsibility until you have read Deuteronomy chapter 22. My driving should not endanger other motorists, plants and animals included.

A lot of space is reserved for marriage, sex and relationships. A man must respect the woman by not violating her virginity and dumping her. He is commanded to keep her, regardless. A man must not abuse his physical strength by raping a woman. Sexuality must be respected by all. The woman who 'agrees' to be raped is as guilty as the rapist. Both must be stoned to death.

The standards demanded by the LORD are very high because the LORD is holy and His people must equally be holy.
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2 min
August 21, 2021 Deuteronomy 21 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/21/deuteronomy-21-commentary/
Deuteronomy 21 Commentary
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There is a special process for the community of God's people to declare themselves innocent of murder. This is in an event of a murder case where the murderer is not known. We can sense the seriousness with which the LORD looks at every murder case. Human life belongs to the LORD. It also gives us a chance to look at how the LORD looks at leadership. It is about taking responsibility.
The LORD knows exactly what has happened. Both the killer and the circumstances of the killing are known to the LORD. Yet the LORD ordains this very much human ‘hit or miss’ process of exoneration for the town closest to the murder case. The key thought is that the community must take care of its own people and take responsibility when there is failure and a murder occurs.
We have human processes that are operated in nearly total ignorance. The LORD is ok with it. We don’t have to know everything.

The regulations concerning female prisoners of war provide an insight into the high standards of justice demanded of Israel. Later in the scripture, a pagan nation would describe Israel's kings as being merciful. The LORD imposed on Israel a justice system that reflected the heart of the LORD, even in the imperfection of state governance.

Stoning a rebellious son to death appears harsh but he is a law breaker. By being rebellious he dishonors his parents. He has sinned against the LORD hence the heavy penalty. While many sins are committed against yourself, spouses, children, friends, companies, communities, governments, races, nature or even humanity at large, sin is always an offense against the LORD. It is always serious. The need for genuine repentance cannot be over-emphasized.
Yet one may wonder why the LORD seems to like the death penalty for just about any serious offense. It doesn’t become any easier when you consider the fact that the same LORD is very serious about every life. Even when the killer is not known, the elders of the community nearest to the scene of crime must exonerate themselves in repentance.
Could it be that we are looking at the same workspace from different angles? Regardless, we can guess the gravity of sin and begin to appreciate the mind of the LORD over sin. The chapter closes with references to the crucifixion process. “If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.” Verses 22 and 23. Are we looking at Calvary?
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3 min
August 20, 2021 Deuteronomy 20 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/20/deuteronomy-20-commentary/
Deuteronomy Chapter 20
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This chapter discusses a couple of key activities before Israel engages an enemy in battle. The Christian walk is often described as a battlefield. The saint today should reflect on the importance of preparedness for warfare.
Firstly, the priest stands up and declares victory based on the fact that it is the LORD that grants victory. It's a powerful starting point in any spiritual warfare. The LORD is fighting for Israel so the military strength of the enemy is not important. The LORD will supply the victory while both courage and strategy are supplied by the military.

Secondly, the military officers speak to the troops. “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it.” The message is clear. Go and fight knowing that failure is not an option – very powerful military rhetoric. How do we face our own battles? Riskless, lazy and objectless. This is my sorry testimony. This scripture left me red-faced.
Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.” We are reminded to keep away from individuals who discourage us. In the victory equation, man supplies courage and strategy while the LORD supplies the victory.
Israel is to exercise mercy by enslaving conquered peoples instead of killing everyone. But this token of kindness is for other peoples, other than the Canaanite group who should be destroyed completely. We already know the reasons.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min

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