TODAY’S READING: DEUTERONOMY 5-8
OVERVIEW:
Ten Commandments; Greatest Commandment; Instructions for New Homes; Instruction for New Land; Remember the Lord
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
Moses starts his second sermon with a showstopper! God’s covenant was not just to the fathers; it continues to the new generation (vs. 3). This isn’t just history. God’s Word, the Great Commandment, the Great Commission, the Epistles are not just for the original audience; God speaks to those who are here alive this day. He is pursuing us as we pursue Him!
Chapter 5 retells the Ten Commandments and how they were received in Exodus 20. The people say they will keep the commandments, and the Lord (vs. 29) emphasizes that fearing and keeping His commandments comes from the heart. Even in the Old Testament, outward appearance was not enough. The Lord Jesus Christ quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 as the greatest commandment. As previously mentioned, the love between God and His children is mentioned 20 times throughout Deuteronomy.
And now, just as God leads and teaches His children, Moses instructs the children ofIsraelto teach in their homes. Teaching in the homes goes hand in hand with public preaching and instruction. The Word of God is to be prominent in the home. Four distinct opportunities are to be used to teach children:
- When you are sitting in your house.
- When you are in the way (driving).
- When you go to bed.
- When you get up in the morning.
Still today, these can be the greatest times of instruction, meditation or prayer. Not surprisingly, these are the times, which that the world and its clamor, try to take from us. Seek to reclaim this time for the Lord and your children.
Moses completes this chapter with warnings to not forget the Lord when you are comfortable in your house. Keep the law diligently. Moses reminds them: “He brought us out ofEgyptso that He could bring us in to a new land.”
Chapters 7 and 8 deal with the land. The Lord promised in Exodus 3:17 that He would drive out nations and give the land to the children ofIsrael. Now they are reminded of the promise, the power of the Lord overEgypt, and His provision on the journey. The Lord promises to continue to deliver the land and provide for them. God will deliver, they are to destroy. Do not make covenants with those nations. Do not marry their sons and daughters. Destroy their idols and images. II Corinthians 6:17 and 18 says: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Just a little sidenote (I won’t charge for this!) to store away is in chapter 8 verse 2. God tells the nation ofIsraelthat He took them through the wilderness to humble them and to prove them. The hard times exposed what was in their heart! Even the Lord Jesus Christ quotes from this passage during His time of testing. God provides for all of our needs and exposes our hearts in time of need. Don’t ever lose sight of that!
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As THE EVERLASTING COVENANT – Deut. 5:2 (Hebrews 13:20, 21, John 3:16, 5:24, 6:47) As MEDIATOR – Deut. 5:5 (I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6) As WELL-PLEASING – Deut. 6:18 (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Luke 3:22) As CALLED OUT OF EGYPT – Deut. 6:21 (Matthew 2:13-15) As ONE WHO WILL SMITE THE NATIONS – Deut. 7:2 (Revelation 19:15) As REDEEMER – Deut. 7:8 (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12) As ONE WHO WILL REPAY FACE TO FACE – Deut. 7:10 (Revelation 1:7)