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 19, 2021 Deuteronomy 19 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/19/deuteronomy-19-commentary/
Deuteronomy 19 Commentary: Cities of Refuge
www.lovingscripture.com
The LORD provides 3 cities for escape in case one kills his neighbor unintentionally. These are appropriately called cities of refuge. The psalmist drew on this concept when he referred to the LORD as his refuge. You escaped deserved punishment or undeserved punishment by making good your escape to one of the cities of refuge. The LORD required them to be located within reachable distance.

We can indeed reflect on salvation and note that it is truly available and reachable.

We get the picture that Israel would occupy the land in phases. Initially only a portion of the Promised Land would be occupied, but as the nation expanded more land would be occupied. It is at this point that the LORD commands Moses to set up more cities of refuge.

To the suspect the city of refuge was like life itself. In other sections of the holy script we learn that the cities of refuge served other purposes in the justice system. For example, if the community accused you of murder, you had chance to escape to one of these cities until justice was established.

King David referred to the LORD as his refuge in moments of great fear because of false accusations. But we also know of times when the king was genuinely guilty. One does well to reflect on the need to think of the LORD as his refuge in both circumstances. The command to locate these cities near enough for an escape on foot reminds us of the closeness of the LORD to each one of us – just a prayer away.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
August 18, 2021 Deuteronomy 18 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/18/deuteronomy-18-commentary/
Deuteronomy 18 Commentary
www.lovingscripture.com
Taking care of priests (ministers), whose job is it? I guess your answer is as good as mine. This chapter gives us an answer. I cannot believe it but I actually failed this simple exam.
The Levites will not receive their share of land. The sanctuary system will sustain them via the various food offerings made to the LORD. It would appear like Levi is getting paid for services at the Sanctuary. The reality however is that the LORD is generously sharing with Levi at the Sanctuary.

The thought that the LORD is Levi's inheritance is interesting. The LORD is speaking to a community that understood exactly what this meant. The saint today may want to reflect on this fact and reconsider their opinion on their offerings. It calls for a sense of duty to understand that my giving is sustaining a life of a minister. I'm doing God's work! I'm doing what the LORD should be doing. That is the required understanding of the term 'doing God's work'. There is a blessing attached to it.
Israel is to remain separate from the evil practices of the nations whose land they are about to inherit. It's a reminder for the saint to stay separate - embracing the values of the kingdom whose king and head is Christ. Occult practices such as sorcery, together with its associates, are singled out for mention.

Again a look at life today reveals a much more complicated host of occult practices that the saint should notice and avoid completely. Reading of stars and the whole host of astrological applications are modern occult practices. It's a powerful trend that makes pastors want to prophecy in the same manner as pagan astrologists.

Moses looks to the future and speaks about another prophet. Israel would be privileged to host another prophet in the manner of Moses. The only prophet meeting this description is the LORD Jesus Christ. Other great prophets like Elijah and Isaiah pointed to the Christ and not themselves. The Christ had to be born of man to satisfy Israel's demand for a human representative. They had indicated to Moses at Horeb that the LORD'S presence was too much for their comfort.

Again you want to understand Moses' thought here. He wasn't thinking of a prophetic office. There wasn't one. It depended on the LORD'S call and timing. For sure Joshua wasn't that prophet. There still remained this vacancy. The LORD filled this space temporarily - in time and space, to warm the office until the real prophet would arrive. And each of the office warmers pointed to the real office bearer who the LORD would send. It is a privilege to live in a time when we can look at all these things and see them in their right context.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
3 min
August 17, 2021 Deuteronomy 17 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/17/deuteronomy-17-commentary/
Deuteronomy 17 Commentary
www.lovingscripture.com
In ordinary life examples are mere pointers and need not be expensive nor accurate. The Bible is different. Models are at a different level. They represent the worship of the Almighty God. Care is required. Both the worshipper and the objects of worship should be of the highest quality possible.

There was a limited list of animals that could be used in worship. They needed to be physically sound. The demand for perfection makes worship in the Old Testament nearly impossible. It is a pointer to a perfection that is possible only under the Cross.

What follows next is similar to a church disciplinary procedure. We can draw general principles from here. Firstly, a human investigation is initiated. Facts are required. Secondly we have human judgment to punish or not to punish based on findings. While the LORD knows exactly what has or hasn't happened, we humans don't know. We can only know after an investigation. An investigation is therefore a godly process in the church.

From here we can tell that a normal Christian response like 'let's leave it in the hands of the LORD' may sound spiritual but is actually a lazy and ungodly response to a sin situation in the body of Christ. An investigation is required. With the Cross comes a new process which reflects the grace available by underlining restoration as opposed to immediate extermination by stoning.

The Community of God's people would require/need a justice system. A human structure is envisioned with the godly establishment of priests at the head. Justice is a godly and divine function.

The chapter closes with instructions on kingship. We can reflect on Solomon's failures and see how he broke many of the rules for kingship. He married many women and accumulated too much silver and gold. No wonder he failed!
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
August 16, 2021 Deuteronomy 16 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/16/deuteronomy-16-commentary/
Deuteronomy 16 Commentary
www.lovingscripture.com
The chapter focuses on 3 important festivals: the Passover, the festival of Weeks and the festival of Booths.

Actually, the Passover isn't a festival but an event. The Passover event happens during the festival of Unleavened Bread. It kick-starts the seven days of unleavened bread - the festival that celebrates Israel's freedom from slavery. Man is not in a position to remember the goodness of the LORD by himself, so these festivals are memory aids. These events give man a chance to reflect on the LORD'S salvation.

Second is the Festival of Weeks - also called the Festival of the Harvest. "Let man rejoice", this seems to be the main point here. Let man celebrate the provisions of the LORD. Celebrating the blessings of the LORD goes with giving. It is a natural reaction flowing out of a grateful heart. In the New Testament the Festival of Weeks is called Pentecost. It's during this period that the Holy Spirit descended on the church, in fulfillment of scripture - Joel 2 verse 28. When read in the context of Joel chapter 2, the Festival of Weeks takes on a wider application which involves general fruitfulness. When you think of the original mandate of increase, fruitfulness and dominion, the Festival of Weeks anticipates fruitfulness of the Spirit within the saved soul. This is so beautiful!
The picture we get is that of a huge party of a happy heavenly community, responding in gratitude for the many gifts that the LORD has given. During this period of giving the LORD decided to bless mankind with the gift of the Holy Spirit!

Third is the festival of Shelters or Booths or Tabernacles. By this festival Israel is drawn back to her experiences in the wilderness. To think of it as negative memory is to miss the point that the focus is on the LORD'S many deliverances. We should not forget. So every year these 3 events must be observed. What comes to mind when you think of the LORD Jesus and His disciples taking shelter under open heavens in the Garden of Gethsemane? The bible has very nice coincidences!

Chapter 16 closes with a call to worship the LORD exclusively. No Asherah poles or other pillars of worship beside the altar of the LORD. The LORD demands pure worship. This passage speaks to us on the need to appreciate that the worship of the LORD is exclusive. We cannot mix.

Note. You may want to check references to these feasts in the Gospel of John. They convey a truly wonderful experience in the light of salvation. The prophet Joe makes mention of a special harvest from the LORD. And then he quickly switches to yet another even more special harvest. Joel 2 verse 28 points to the day of Pentecost – the Festival of Weeks or Harvest. The special gift or harvest is the Holy Spirit. You may want to read verse 28 of Joel 2 for an expanded understanding. It is truly wonderful!
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
3 min
August 15, 2021 Deuteronomy 15 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/15/deuteronomy-15-commentary/
Deuteronomy 15 Commentary
The LORD repeats the regulations regarding the sabbatical year. Deuteronomy is highlighting key events and key themes for Israel. This chapter is about rest for the indebted and the enslaved.

The overall concept of Sabbath is captured by different concepts in the various Sabbaths that Israel observed. We have the seventh day, the seventh year and the seven-by-seventh year observed as the year of jubilee. This chapter focuses on the seventh year. The important concept here is freedom. Rest is a better word as it expands our appreciation of the concept of Sabbath.

Interestingly, the LORD envisions a people without debt because of abundance of blessings. Today the saint may look at this section for encouragement. We may starve for other reasons but it can never be due to failure by the LORD to provide. The grace to prosper materially is there for us all. None should be enslaved but this perfection is only in design. This idealism is long gone and Moses now applies himself to the realities on the ground. The poor will always be there - for one reason or the other, sadly.
The LORD warns against wickedness of thought. It is a hard one. One shouldn't fail to help because they fear the debtor won't pay back. In case of failure the LORD promises to pay back - kind of. Generosity is encouraged. It is the blessing of the LORD that the generous heart is never needy! Irony.

Three categories of help areas can be identified: your brother, the poor and the needy. More often than not, the poor and needy are one and the same. But it does happen that the needy are not necessarily the poor. They also need our help. A rich man in hospital needs help though he is not exactly poor. He is needy. And the brother? Well, that is you and me. At some point in our lives we all need help.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
August 14, 2021 Deuteronomy 14 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/14/deuteronomy-14-commentary/
Deuteronomy 14 Commentary
www.lovingscripture.com
Do not eat anything you find already dead. You may give it to the foreigner residing in any of your towns, and they may eat it, or you may sell it to any other foreigner. But you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk. Deuteronomy 14 verse 21.

Ceremonial laws were flexible. Others could indulge while Israel was specifically forbidden. We can tell from here that ceremonial laws were 'second-layer' laws. We know that first-layer laws were absolute and universal. Murder was murder regardless of the sinner. However ceremonial laws did serve a purpose and the LORD demanded obedience.

This chapter begins with an instruction to Israel concerning a pagan practice of mutilating oneself for the dead. This scripture is in line with the main instruction to 'don't do as they do'. Today the saint may have to look at events and ceremonies that have pagan origins and decide based on these instructions.

We have food laws that may appear strange to the New Testament reader. Generally the LORD forbade the consumption of animals which had certain general features. Dirty animals like pigs do not represent the required holiness. Birds and animals of prey are forbidden as they thrive on death.

Feeding habits as well as appearance or behavior of animals that appear to misrepresent the beauty of creation are specifically singled out for exclusion. We may also think of these 'less appealing' animal traits as representing something to be hated and therefore resisted. A pig's dirty environment should be a constant reminder of man's need to stay clean. His hatred for ungodly conduct should be enhanced by his hatred of dirt that the pig so amply represents.

The instruction to eat the tithe may sound contradictory but the thought to share and ensure that priests are covered still remains. Importantly the chapter retains the thought that tithe is a moment of celebration rather than a moment of sadness because of 'loss' on that part of the giver. It conveys the thought that the giver must have joy in separating tithe for the LORD. It's a beautiful picture the LORD gives that eventually our gifts are meant for our enjoyment. Let there be no pain as we give to the LORD.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
3 min
August 13, 2021 Deuteronomy 13 Commentary: The battle of the gods continues
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/13/deuteronomy-13-commentary/
Deuteronomy 13 Commentary: The battle of the gods continues
www.lovingscripture.com
The man by whose hand the LORD battled the Egyptian gods knew the battle wasn’t over. The gods would still show up and display their power here and there. Israel should not be misled. As Moses was used by the LORD to perform miracles, so false prophets would be used by the gods to perform signs in order to entice Israel.
This chapter speaks to us who are living in a 'see/believe' world. It is not a world in which truth is embraced. The visible, be it virtual or real, becomes more important. How we feel and what we see become the standard measure for truth. Moses speaks to such a world in very clear terms. False prophets must not be believed even when their predictions come true.

Moses seems to be saying that the LORD would allow challengers to arise. By their dark magical powers they can perform big signs. The signs they perform, big or small, should not misled God's community into believing them. Israel is commanded to reject these prophets and completely destroy them. The equivalent today would be to completely reject and have absolutely nothing to do with the false prophets and their teachings.

The New Testament expands on this command by showing us how to know who the antichrist is. We know them by their fruit. The saint is commanded to examine the fruit. It shouldn’t take long. If only the saint asked a couple of questions, she would have found out that the innocent looking man wasn’t even a believer in the first place. Just check the fruit.

The LORD is calling His people to a point of faith. What they have received is good enough even when satan puts up a 'good' show.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
August 12, 2021 Deuteronomy 12 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/12/deuteronomy-12-commentary/
Deuteronomy 12 Commentary
www.lovingscripture.com
Canaanites had several gods worshipped in different locations: high mountains, hills and under spreading trees. Objects of pagan worship included: altars, sacred stones, Asherah poles and idols.

These must be destroyed; not accommodated. The LORD is not to be worshipped this way. There is one place of worship. The LORD is to be worshipped from there. The saint may want to reflect on pagan worship systems and seek to distance himself from such.

You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. Verse 31.

Immorality is intrinsic to pagan worship systems. Child sacrifice (mentioned here) in addition to sex shrines was a normal form of pagan worship. The LORD orders the demolition of symbols and actual pagan worship objects. They are detestable to the LORD.

Today brothels operate as businesses but in the Old Testament sex shrines were places of pagan worship. Contrary to popular opinion, illegal sex isn't a call of nature we must answer, rather a pagan worship system meant to defy the living God. It's never an innocent happy moment between two people.

This pagan worship system now exists in many versions: adultery, pornography, same sex marriages, fornication, sex with animals, sex plays, sex movies, sex media, sex toys, sex talk, sex stories, sex clothing... No wonder the world is confused.
More on Deuteronomy 12 visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
August 11, 2021 Deuteronomy 11 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/11/deuteronomy-11-commentary/
Deuteronomy 11 Commentary
www.lovingscripture.com
Verse 8 gives us the reason why Moses is highlighting key events. The nation needs encouragement to move into Canaan. They had seen how the LORD defeated the powerful Egyptian army at the Red sea. The current challenge should be nothing!

The saint does well to stand still and reflect on the many deliverances of the LORD and use the testimony to overcome doubt. Now we can see why the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart. Israel needed a testimony for the battles ahead. Some battles that saints face are for purposes of creating a stronger faith for bigger challenges ahead.

We have a very rare glimpse of life in Egypt during this time. They watered the crops using a technology that involved use of their feet. Canaan would be different. The rainfall pattern is such that agricultural activity could be sustained throughout the year without irrigation. This unique climatic environment is a special gift to Israel. If Israel obeys, the LORD would sustain this climate for them.

Israel is warned to watch for enticement by foreign gods. Similarly, the Christian walk exists in the midst of temptations and one needs to watch their walk. Israel needed to be wary of enticement. The word 'enticement' suggests active factors operating in opposition to the godly purposes of the LORD. There is a world out there constantly tempting saints to derail and follow other gods.

Verse 26 is important for Israel as it defined what constituted a blessing. There is also a mention of a curse. A curse operates in the absence of a blessing. A blessing is God’s special gift to man. The chapter has given us an example of a good climate for Israel as a special blessing. Look around your life. Check on all the good things that nature has provided. They are a blessing from the LORD to enrich your experiences.
More on Deuteronomy 11 visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
August 10, 2021 Deuteronomy 10 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/10/deuteronomy-10-commentary/
Deuteronomy 10 Commentary
www.lovingscripture.com
The LORD asks Moses to make two tablets, exactly like the first ones. The process has to be restarted. This is interesting. It's a revelation of perfection. The process was perfect. Israel messed it up. So the part that wasn't soiled has to be repeated. It's one part of life that never changes. The LORD repeats it to every life both in time and space. The same. Unchanged. Simple.
Moses goes up the mountain and the process is restarted. This part is completed but it's the soiled part that Moses must attend to - obedience of the people. The rest of the lines focus on calls for holiness and obedience.

One more important piece. The LORD orders Moses to find a container for the two tablets. So we have the Ark of the Covenant made. It houses the law and represents the sanctity of the presence of God. The LORD will dwell amongst His people by His word.
The Ark would stand as a physical representation of the Law of God. The Law itself is the conception of the will of the LORD for His people. It is not physical. The Law must be obeyed. It represents the part of the contract that man must observe. When man honors his part of the contract, the LORD’s presence becomes man’s special reward. And it is beautiful.
We have also seen the generosity of the LORD – the steadfast love of the LORD. After 40 days of prayer and fasting, Moses understood the heart of the LORD. He wasn’t willing to destroy the people. Instead He instructed Moses; “Go and lead the people on their way, so that they may enter and possess the land…”
After 40 days of prayer and fasting, the real Seed announced to the entire world, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min

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

From the publisher's feed

Find life's meaning in God's word. Read it daily. Meditate on it. Be transformed by it.

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

Sign up to save your podcasts

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

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

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

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

The Bible Recap