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 09, 2021 Deuteronomy 9 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/09/deuteronomy-9-commentary/
Deuteronomy 9 Commentary
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Chapter 9 begins with a difficult section. Canaan is sinful and because of their sinfulness they will be destroyed. Israel is equally stiff-necked but they will inherit the land. What is the difference? Well, when Israel sinned (the golden-calf sin - referenced here) there was someone to intercede for them. Canaan had none. There are few lines in the entire holy script as clear in highlighting the importance of mediation as chapter 9.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. First Timothy 2 verses 5 to 6.

So really both sinful Israel and sinful Canaan deserve the death penalty - save for mediation in the case of the former and lack of it in the case of the later. How grateful we are for the cross!

The rest of the chapter narrates Israel's wickedness to prove the point that Israel is as sinful as Canaan. The golden calf idolatry was a copy-paste act of defiance drawn from the Canaanite pagan worship book. It is worse because Israel has seen so much of the LORD'S presence and intervention to start thinking of alternatives.

At Kadesh Barnea Israel's doubt and outright rejection of the LORD'S leadership is referenced. How can they forget that? It is here that the sentence of 40 years in the wilderness is pronounced. It is a clear-out exercise.

Not least important is Moses' reference to the strength (military prowess) of 'Canaan'. It points to the fact that indeed the battle wasn't for Israel but for God. The bad spies were right. The enemy was strong. But they were wrong in their assessment of the LORD. They belittled the LORD. It was another form of idolatry that reduces God to a mere god (like any other). The LORD, as a god to Israel was then put in the ring with the Canaanite gods and this small god lost the battle. So they thought of a return to Egypt as a better option. An election was called to elect another leader for the purpose. The LORD wasn't pleased at all. A clear-out exercise was decreed - 40 years it was. 40 years of wilderness experience.

The parallel with the NT events is beautiful. The 40 days and 40 nights that Moses spent interceding on behalf of Israel may point us to think of the 40 days and 40 nights that the LORD Jesus presumably spent pleading for lost humanity.
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3 min
August 08, 2021 Deuteronomy 8 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/08/deuteronomy-8-commentary/
Deuteronomy 8 Commentary
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The chapter is famous for the LORD Jesus directly quoted from it.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Matthew 4 verse 4. NIV.

Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 8 verse 3. NIV.

We know this is important. Israel was in the wilderness for 40 years. It was a deliberate decision by the LORD Jesus to choose the wilderness for His fasting. A synagogue or even the Temple itself in Jerusalem was always a good option for prayer and fasting. The 40 days of fasting in the wilderness for Jesus parallels the 40 years of wilderness that Moses refers to here.

Jesus is hungry just like Israel. But unlike Israel the LORD Jesus submits and honors the LORD. Israel on the other hand fails the test. The LORD who performed mighty acts in Egypt could have easily provided abundance in the wilderness. It was a deliberate decision to subject Israel to starvation. Will they trust the LORD under these circumstances?

The LORD Jesus had it within Himself to perform a miracle to feed himself. The comparisons are sharply visible. In Jesus is the seed of Genesis that stands tall and defeats the enemy by submitting to the one and only true God. The saint does well to reflect on this victory and domesticate it in daily walk with the LORD.

The immediate context however is that Israel failed to trust the LORD and instead longed for the ‘meat’ and the supposed good times of Egypt. Fast-forward to our time we need to ask if we are coming out good on this test. It is very much a deliberate decision by the LORD that you have a life that you have. Will you trust the LORD God in these times or is there fear that you are longing for the 'good times' of the unbelieving world? The human mind can be stupid. You may have to re-educate it by challenging its statement on ‘good times’. Which good times? There are no good times there.

This chapter digs deeper into our own lives. The more we reflect on it the more inadequate we feel. And you always feel there is more to it!

The chapter opened with a call to remain faithful - a requirement for long life and increase. It is a call that the LORD Jesus appears to be making in telling off the devil by quoting from this chapter. The closing lines are yet another call to choose life and not death.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
3 min
August 07, 2021 Deuteronomy 7 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/07/deuteronomy-7-commentary/
Deuteronomy 7 Commentary
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The instruction to totally destroy 'Canaanite peoples' may sound strange. But if you have taken the journey through Exodus and Numbers you discover that the LORD did the same to sinful Israel. The 600,000 men at the start of the journey were not the same as the 600,000 that ended the journey. All of them fell in the wilderness except for Joshua and Caleb, in an act of punishment.

It's a point that emphasizes the original declaration that man died when he sinned. The physical death being referred to here is representative of separation from God. When that happens, is there a need for one to live in the physical? The LORD says no. But today by grace we understand our continued existence as yet another chance to find life in Christ Jesus.

Moses references God's universal name as he encourages Israel to remain faithful. It's that special combination again - justice and compassion combined. How these combine in one is a mystery fully unpacked by the cross but still too complicated for human consumption. We do well to pray for the grace of understanding.

While this chapter encourages faithfulness, it also unearths the key concept of salvation. Yes, it is a choice we make because of the LORD'S compassion in being the first to show us love, regardless. The reality of the LORD'S compassion is easily reflected in the saint's daily walk with the LORD. Many would agree to having received many blessings they did not earn. This is generosity.

There is still out there a life that the LORD hates. The saint is reminded here to have the same attitude. Hate sin. Resist it. Run away from it. There are places the saint should never go to. There are items of fashion that the saint should never buy and let alone wear. There are choices the saint should never make. Deuteronomy is speaking to us today in a language that we very well understand.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture .com
2 min
August 06, 2021 Deuteronomy 6 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/06/deuteronomy-6-commentary/
Deuteronomy 6 Commentary
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Moses has seen enough in the 40 years of ministry with Israel. He knows the importance of obedience. He knows the holy God would not bend rules. Obedience is equated to life itself. The difficulties of obedience then and later bring into sharp focus the need for a system that can work. It is pointing us to the cross. It is only through the cross that man can fully obey the law.

For now Israel must pass on the law to their children and these children to their children, generation after generation. The law must be kept. Teach them to your children. "Repeat them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working. Deuteronomy 6 verse 7.

We can see why we have encountered these commands severally along the way from Sinai. The commands must be repeated for the benefit of our memories. Here lies the importance of reading the holy script daily. We also see something quite interesting. The LORD will not be repeating Himself in person to each and every generation. The parents who experienced Horeb are tasked to pass on the experience.

The saint today is encouraged to look back at God's generosity in their own lives and pass it on to succeeding generations.

Reflecting on this chapter the LORD Jesus quotes this very same great commandment. It is one and most important. "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
Deuteronomy 6 verses 4 to 5.

While it remains important for a man to pass on wealth and experience to his son, the most important item to be passed on is the fear of God. Won't it make sense that when we are long gone, our sons can remember the LORD who their fathers worshipped? The LORD who my father served can help me today. That indeed is part of the handover notes from every man to his son.

At the heart of this chapter is a deep love for Israel by the LORD. He wants His children to enjoy long and prosperous years. He wants them to enjoy the blessings of the LORD unhindered. By inheriting cities they didn't build the LORD is telling Israel that the 'live by sweat punishment' of Genesis 3 will be a suspended sentence.

This chapter brings out beauty out of the law. It seems we are reading the very purpose of the law. It was never meant to squeeze life out of Israel but to ensure that the community of God's people enjoyed the blessing of Genesis 1/28. It's this blessing that was reinstated in Genesis 9 with Noah and importantly repeated with this nation's founding father - Abraham in Genesis 12.

We are not reading an isolated story.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
3 min
August 05, 2021 Deuteronomy 5 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/05/deuteronomy-5-commentary/
Deuteronomy 5 Commentary
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It was not with our ancestors that the Lord made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today. Verse 3.

Needless to mention, but Moses takes the trouble to emphasize the point that the LORD interacts with each generation in the present. The reality of the LORD'S presence is each generation's special gift. So we find the LORD repeating the blessing to each generation that comes. The saint does well to reflect on this fact with expectation. The LORD speaks to each generation in the present tense.

So even here the LORD is speaking to a different generation. The 10 commandments are rehearsed to a generation that didn't experience Horeb. An easy pick from here is an increased emphasis on the worship of the one true God of Horeb. Look at the 10 commandments again. It is top-heavy. The first set of commands relate to an exclusive relationship with Israel's God. The second and last section is descriptive in nature - describing what it means to worship the LORD exclusively. It manifests the true colors of the relationship with God.

Moses reflects on people's fear at Horeb. It is good that people have a healthy fear of the LORD here, but this fear has introduced layers of reporting between Israel and God. The LORD wants every single one of them to experience glory but they instead ask for an ambassador. So for now Moses will hear and explain to them. It wasn't God's initial plan. It represents failure.

So we have the sanctuary system setup to have a kind-of physical representation of the presence of God. It isn't a very good start.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
August 04, 2021 Deuteronomy 4 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/04/deuteronomy-4-commentary/
Deuteronomy 4 Commentary
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Hidden in the opening lines of this chapter are references to the original mandate for Israel. It should stand out as a nation to be admired. The LORD wants to have a model nation, a people whose shape and appearance reflects or has an appearance of the purposes of God. Moses points to this concept by projecting a positive tone about Israel's prospects. It's what Jehovah wants.

But we have cracks in the implementation of the grand plan. Moses warns the people of the consequences of failure. It has happened before. It will happen again, should the surviving nation ignore the wonderful laws and regulations. Of first importance is Israel's worship of the one and only true God that they experienced at Horeb. Moses uses his own situation to remind Israel of the LORD'S fury.

Moses is very much aware of Israel's potential to sin. He looks to the future and knows the consequences of sin. The LORD who scattered mankind at Shinar (at Babel) will scatter Israel. The LORD who is punishing Canaan will wipe out Israel. What is important for Israel is faithfulness. This message must be passed on to future generations. They should know about God's high standards.

Israel is going to overthrow stronger nations. It's a fact that Moses wants the people to know. But importantly this fact should serve as a constant reminder that the battle is the LORD'S. It should bring humility and a sense of dependency.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
August 03, 2021 Deuteronomy 3 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/03/deuteronomy-3-commentary/
Deuteronomy 3 Commentary
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Moses reflects on the defeat of king Og of Bashan. We are looking at key events without any specific order as the man of God takes us down memory lane. Yes these are memories but importantly Moses highlights for us the role that the LORD plays. It is for our faith.

The conquered land is given to Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh. The long awaited promise is being fulfilled.

Probably after the defeat of Sihon and Og Moses sits down Joshua for a word of encouragement. Joshua has seen a very successful military campaign and Moses uses it as a model and an example of things to come. The saint does well to reflect on the many blessings of the LORD in order to overcome coming difficulties. The best way to be ‘still’ before the LORD is to flood your mind with memories of the many victories of the LORD.

The conquest of the Amorite territory is so sweet that Moses begins to petition the LORD for mercy. He wants to experience life in the new conquered territories. Who wouldn't want to? He had spent all his life dreaming of this moment. Even now, the plunder alone, and the many cities taken over by Israel are pointing to greater things for the rest of the Community. But the LORD won't listen. The decision is final. Moses is to go exactly as planned.

The prayers that proved so successful for others could not bring about change in his own circumstances. Moses is forbidden from even talking about it. It can be shocking that the LORD brings healing by the saint's prayer on others, but the same prayer fails to bring healing on the saint himself! So strange!
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
August 02, 2021 Deuteronomy 2 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/02/deuteronomy-2-commentary/
Deuteronomy 2 Commentary
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Verse 1: “and we spent a long time wandering about in the hill country of Edom.”

The term wandering about doesn't sound great but that's the right term. The conquest of Canaan was meant to be a speed campaign going by the way the LORD dealt Egypt. The roadmap was clear but now the Community found itself wandering about.

There is a comment that the LORD kept on opposing them until he had destroyed them all. Won’t it be right to guess that the well documented difficulties that Israel faced in the wilderness were an act of judgment on the nation?
Verse 7 is interesting. Moses says Israel had not lacked anything in those 40 years. We know the Community had suffered from critical water shortage on a couple of occasions. In fact it was one of these moments that led Moses to sin and receive the same punishment as the rest of the Community.

Could it be that Moses is referring to a different type of abundance? It is a possibility. Israel's doubt had made the ever-present provisions from the LORD disappear. We can read into this remark with the thought that it is Israel's ungodliness which was responsible for the difficulties they experienced. We also know that not all difficulties were invited. The uninvited difficulties were an opportunity for the LORD to bless the Community. It does matter how we look at difficulties.

The overriding view appears to be this: that the LORD is in charge of events. The wandering in the desert wasn’t aimless. It was a ‘clear-out’ exercise. The battle against Sihon wasn’t won on Israel's military strength, but it is an act of divine generosity.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
August 01, 2021 Deuteronomy 1 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/01/deuteronomy-1-commentary/
Deuteronomy 1 Commentary
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We have an introduction to the work that centers around the recollections of the LORD'S instructions to a new generation. Moses is going to highlight key moments. First is the instruction to break camp and advance into Canaan. We are at Mount Sinai. From here the LORD had given Moses details of the land that Israel was to occupy. It extended as far as the great river Euphrates. It is the same as the one the LORD had given to the patriarch Abraham.

From chapter 1 we can see that the idea of spies wasn't part of the original plan. A fearful nation needed convincing on the suitability or perhaps also the size of the task ahead. Investigating God's word for suitability is a real disaster in waiting. The word must be believed and not questioned.

We have a couple of details that we didn't see in Numbers. In Numbers Moses is silent as the spies spread a bad report. But here we learn of how Moses pleaded with the people to trust the LORD'S wisdom by referencing a rich history of the LORD'S might works amongst the people. It never worked.

The result of their doubt was banishment from the Promised Land. Deuteronomy gives us a summary of the book of Numbers in a couple of lines. It has highlighted events of Numbers chapters 13 and 14 as key events leading to the lengthy period of travel lasting 40 years. Moses' own moment of failure is alluded to here.
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2 min
July 31, 2021 Numbers 36 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/07/31/numbers-36-commentary/

4 min

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