Read Deuteronomy 11 -- 13
In Today's Reading:
Israel is to love and obey God; warning against false gods and adding to or taking away anything from His Word
To perpetuate loyalty and love to God in future generations, every Israelite was to live in subjection to the Word of God. To accomplish this, God said: Teach them (to) your children (Deuteronomy 11:19). Our foremost concern every day should be to teach our children to love the Lord and be obedient to Him. They should have no doubt that we also truly love the Lord and are obedient to Him. If our hearts are filled with the Word of God, it will overflow from our lives: When you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lay down, and when you rise up (11:19).
Moses repeated to the new generation what the Lord had said to their parents, reminding them of how important it is to diligently keep all these Commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave (hold fast) to Him (11:22).
Through Moses, God said: You shall rejoice in all that you put your hand to, you and your households, wherein the LORD your God has blessed you (12:7).
What our children become is often dependent upon our values in life. What we are in great measure is what our children become. That is why it is so important that parents devote time to molding the rapidly developing minds of their young children. It is of utmost importance that parents guide even the youngest children to reverence God, to worship Him, to pray, and to recognize the Bible as the voice of God speaking to them.
Influences outside the home often send strong messages to our children that are opposite in character to the values we desire them to live by. It becomes increasingly important to provide our children with a strong spiritual environment.
Children need to have a reverential attitude of deep concern to be obedient to God. They need to be taught that God said: Honor your father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with you (Ephesians 6:2-3; Exodus 20:12).
Word Studies:
11:14 first . . . latter rain = autumn . . . later spring rain; 11:21 fathers = ancestors beginning with Abraham; 11:24 uttermost sea = Mediterranean Sea; 11:30 champaign over against Gilgal = the flat, open country opposite Gilgal; 12:15 gates = towns.
Christ Revealed:
Through the burned offerings which were totally consumed. These typified Christ's total offering of Himself unto death (Deuteronomy 12:6; see Hebrews 10:5-7). For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary (Holy Place) by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify (make holy) the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate (Hebrews 13:11-12).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for: The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in honor of Henry Rogers · Government Officials: Rep. Tim Holden (PA), Gov. John Kitzhaber (OR), Rep. Todd Platts (PA), and Rep. Don Sherwood (PA) · Country: Saudi Arabia (22 million) on the Arabian Peninsula in southwestern Asia · Major language: Arabic · Christian worship services for foreign personnel are tolerated, but those who seek to convert Muslims to Christianity face persecution · 99% Muslim; 1% Christian · Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your prayers to God with your whole heart (Psalm 119:58,145).
Optional Reading: Luke 20
Memory Verse for the Week: John 3:14