Read Deuteronomy 8 -- 10
In Today's Reading:
Talk about Miracles -- for 40 years their clothes and shoes never wore out! Although Moses reviews all their sins, he brings the Israelites a ray of hope telling them that God let it happen to do you good at your latter end (Deuteronomy 8:16). How were they able to cross Jordan? Read and remember. Today's scripture reading ends with the answer to what does the Lord require of you? (Deuteronomy 10:13)
Verses for Today:
I prayed therefore to the Lord, and said, O Lord God, do not destroy Your people and Your inheritance, which You have redeemed through Your greatness, which You have brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember Your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not at the stubbornness of this people, nor at their wickedness, nor at their sin (Deuteronomy 9:26-27).
Highlights:
Warning against failure to observe all the Commandments including the great commandment (Matthew 22:38); judgment upon the nations of Canaan foretold; a reminder of their parent's rebellion, the golden calf; the second tablets of stone; some of the attributes of God given; the requirements of God for Israel's good.
Moses reminded the new generation of their unfaithful parents whom, about 40 years earlier, God had delivered from Egyptian slavery. At that time, they had vowed to obey the Word of God (Exodus 19:8; 24:3). But, soon afterward, they were involved in the idolatry of the golden calf (32:4). Because of their sins, God would have destroyed them had it not been for Moses who prayed for them (see 32:11-14).
Moses went beyond a mere prayer for he lay face down in the Lord's presence and pleaded with great earnestness for 40 days and nights (Deuteronomy 9:25). Moses asked God to forgive the stubbornness of this people on the basis of His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses' prayer revealed his two-fold purpose in life. He lived to please the Creator and to teach Israel to be obedient to Him.
Moses set an example of love and a forgiving attitude through his intercessory prayer for the Israelites, even though they were undeserving and critical of him.
We need to possess a forgiving attitude as an expression of Jesus' answer to Peter who asked: Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus said to him . . . not . . . seven times: but, until seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22).
Forgiveness is of utmost importance to all of us as we consider the parable that Jesus gave Peter to illustrate his question. Jesus likened the Kingdom of Heaven to a king who had a servant greatly indebted to him. The servant begged to be forgiven of the large debt that he would never be able to pay. The king was moved with compassion and forgave him the entire amount. The forgiven servant then met a fellow servant who owed him a small amount that he was presently unable to pay and who begged for more time, saying have patience with me, and I will pay you all. The forgiven servant would not forgive his debtor, but cast him into prison. When the King became aware of the actions of his unforgiving servant, he delivered him to the tormentors till he should pay all that was due him, Jesus then warned: So likewise shall my Heavenly Father do also to you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses (18:23-35).
A Thought from Psalms: Make me to go in the path of Your Commandments; for therein do I delight (119:35).
Christ Revealed:
Through the acacia ("shittim") wood used in the Ark of the Covenant to represent Christ's humanity; it was overlaid with gold to represent His Deity (Deuteronomy 10:3). Acacia wood, a desert growth, is symbolic of Christ, in His human form, as a root out of dry ground (see Isaiah 53:2). It was used in the Ark of the Covenant to represent Christ's humanity and was overlaid with gold to represent His Deity.
Word Studies:
8:16 prove = test, so that your trust in Him would grow; at thy latter end = in the future; 9:13 stiffnecked = stubborn and self-willed, rebellious; 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart = the outward symbol of Israel's separation from the world, as well as a symbol of their love, submission, and loyalty to God.
Prayer Needs:
Government Official: Rep. Christopher Smith (NJ) · Pray for one another · Country: Togo (5 million) in western Africa · Major languages: French and several African languages · Limited religious freedom · 41% belief in false gods and voodoo; 32% Roman Catholic; 19% Muslim; 8% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: God wants to be exalted through you (Psalms 46:10).
Optional Reading: Luke 19
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:13