Bible Pathways 03/07/2003
Read Deuteronomy 17 -- 20
In Today 's Reading:
Idolaters and obedience to authority; offerings due priests and Levites; heathen practices; prophecy concerning the coming of Christ; cities of refuge
Moses foretold: The LORD will raise up for you a Prophet (Jesus) like me from among you, from among your brothers. You must listen to Him. . . The LORD said to me . . . I (God) will place My words in His mouth, and He will say to them everything I command Him. And whoever does not listen to My words which He will speak in My name I will hold to account (Deuteronomy 18:15,17-19). The prophet Jeremiah foretold that, in the end times, God would make a new covenant with His people (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
In conversing with His critics, Jesus said that Moses and the Scriptures bore witness of Him: For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. But if you don't believe his writings, how will you believe My words? (John 5:46-47).
Jesus declared to Pilate: My Kingdom is not of this world, meaning it has no earthly origin, but is a spiritual kingdom without end (18:36). On the Day of Pentecost, Peter boldly proclaimed that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Moses, who said: The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He will say to you. And it will be that everyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from the people. In addition, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those after him, have also announced these days (Acts 3:22-24; Deuteronomy 18:19). The Prophet whom Moses foretold is Jesus, who said: Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness (John 8:12).
The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote: If anyone disregards Moses' law, he dies without mercy. . . . How much worse punishment, do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:28-29).
Christ Revealed:
Through the Old Testament sacrifices which were made without blemish or defect (Deuteronomy 17:1). Christ was perfectly pure from all sin and all appearance of evil. The precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish (I Peter 1:19).
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. Brian Baird (WA) and Rep. Elton Gallegly (CA) · Country: Solomon Islands (455,000) in the southwestern Pacific · Major languages: 120 indigenous languages · Religious freedom · 66% Protestant; 17% Roman Catholic; 4% spirit worship, ancestor worship, and sorcery · Prayer Suggestion: Exalt the Lord, for He is holy (Psalms 99:9).
Optional Reading: Luke 22
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:13
