Through The Bible 
5 Deuteronomy

February 20 - Deuteronomy 1 - 3

A Life Lesson for today... It is good to look back and remember all that the Lord has done for us.  We have come to the fifth and final book of Moses, Deuteronomy.  I sometimes wondered why Moses reviewed the past with the Children of Israel before he died.  Just looking around at the younger generation today has given me more insight.  They don't understand the impact that certain events have had on our country.  Moses looked back forty years and began telling how the twelve spies were sent into the land of Canaan, and only Joshua and Caleb had faith in the Lord to enter the Promised Land.   Because the people murmured and complained and refused to put their trust in the Lord and go in, the Lord told them that they would wander in the wilderness forty years until every person from twenty years old and upward died.  Moses was standing before a somewhat youthful congregation, where he, and  Joshua and Caleb were the only people living, above the age of sixty.  So, what seems like something familiar, as we just read of this event in Kadeshbarnea in Numbers 13 and 14, it actually happened forty years before and all the adults that were living at that time had died.

 "1  These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.  
2  (There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.)  
3  And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them;"  (Deuteronomy 1:1-3)

"6  The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:
7  Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
8  Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.
10  The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.
11  (The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!)"  (1:6-8 & 10-11)

"Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:"  (1:26)

In Chapter 2 Moses continued to tell them of their journey.  They couldn't have Mount Seir because it belonged to Esau.  They also could not have the land of the Moabites and of the children of Ammon because it was given to the children of Lot.  "Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.  This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee."  (2:24-25)  Sihon fought against Israel and God gave His people victory.  "From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:"  (2:36)  Chapter 3 tells of their victory over Og, King of Bashan.  Moses gave the land to the Reubenites and Gadites.  

"21  And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, Thine eyes have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto these two kings: so shall the LORD do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest.
22  Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.
23  And I besought the LORD at that time, saying,
24  O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?
25  I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon.
26  But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.
27  Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
28  But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see."  (3:21-28)

February 21 - Deuteronomy 4 - 6

Life Lesson… God brought us out to bring us in!  God brought us out of the bondage of sin to bring us into His fold.  God brought us out of darkness to bring us into Light!  "And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers."  (Deuteronomy 6:23)  Also, it is our duty to diligently teach our children the Word of God.  Moses taught the people all the words that God had spoken to him on Mount Sinai, but those adults had died and now Moses wanted to teach the Word of the Lord to the next generation.  Then it would be their duty to teach their children. 

"1  Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
2  Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
3  Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.
4  But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.
5  Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
6  Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
7  For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
8  And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
9  Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;
10  Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children."  (Deuteronomy 4:1-10)

​"39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
40  Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever."  (4:39-40)

Moses designated three cities of refuge on that side of Jordan: Bezer of the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead of the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan of the Manassites.  In Chapter 5 Moses gave the people the Ten Commandments, as recorded in Exodus 20.  Then we hear the Lord's plea to them to follow His Word.  "O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!"  (5:29)  In Chapter 6 we find the great commandment.  "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."  (6:4-5)  Jesus quoted this great commandment in Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27.  Again the Lord told them how important it was to teach God's Word to their children, at all times. 

"6  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."  (6:6-9)

The Lord reminded them of their bondage in Egypt and how he brought them out with a mighty hand.  I really like verse 23.  "And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers."  When we trust in the Lord Jesus and ask Him to save us then He brings us out of the bondage of sin.  But, He doesn't just leave us.  Oh, no!  He brings us out of bondage so that He can bring us into His fold.  He loves us, and guides us, and has promised never to leave us. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  (Hebrews 13:5)

February 22 - Deuteronomy 7 - 8

​Our Life Lesson today comes from Deuteronomy 8:3..."man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live."
Deuteronomy Chapter 7 gave the people a warning not to marry into the families of the Canaanites.  As you look at these verses, you may remember King Solomon.  "And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.  For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father."  (I Kings 11:3-4)  We have this warning in the New Testament.  "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"  (II Corinthians 6:14)

"3  Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
4  For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
5  But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
6  For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
7  The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
8  But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
9  Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
10  And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
11  Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them."  (Deuteronomy 7:3-11)

In Chapter 8 the Lord told them the blessings they would receive.

"2  And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
3  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
4  Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
5  Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
6  Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
7  For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;
8  A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;
9  A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.
10  When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee."  (Deuteronomy 8:2-10)

​February 23 - Deuteronomy 9 - 11

Life Lesson... Don't underestimate the power behind your prayers for others.  The Lord was angry with Aaron when he made the golden calf, and would have destroyed him, but Moses prayed for him.  (Deuteronomy 9:20)  I appreciate your encouragement and prayers!  I have an appointment on Monday for the port-a-cath.  I am scheduled to begin chemo on Tuesday, February 28.

In Chapter 9, Moses told them that they were ready to cross over Jordan.

"1  Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven,
2  A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak!
3  Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.
4  Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee."  (9:1-4)

​Moses reminded them of how he was on the mount forty days and nights without food or water and how the Lord gave him "two tables of stone written with the finger of God."  And how they sinned against the Lord in making the golden calf and he threw down the tables of stone and broke them.  "And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.  And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time."  (9:18 & 20)  He reminded them again of their failure to trust the Lord and go into the land at Kadeshbarnea.  "Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you."  (9:24)  Yet, Moses continued to pray for the people.  In Chapter 10 Moses told them how the Lord told him to hew two more stones and he went back up into the mountain and the Lord wrote the commandments again.  Moses told them what the Lord required.  "And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,  To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?"  (10:12-13)  He told them why.  "Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.  Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day."  (10:14-15)  The chapter closes as Moses reminded them to praise the Lord for how far He had brought them.  " He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.  Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude."  (10:21-22)

In Chapter 11 Moses reminded them of the miracles in Egypt and how the army of the Egyptians was destroyed in the Red Sea.  And how the earth opened up and swallowed Dathan and Abiram.  He told them the wonders of the land of milk and honey.  " But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven:  A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year."  (11:11-12)  God set before them a blessing as long as they obeyed His Word, and a curse if they turned aside and worshiped other gods.

​February 24 - Deuteronomy 12 - 16

​In Chapter 12 Moses continued with instructions from the Lord.  We need to pay attention to verse 8.  "Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes."  (Deuteronomy 12:8)  When we come to the times of the judges we will read twice, "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes."  (Judges 17:6 and 21:25)  Most of the chapter tells how they were to offer their offerings to the Lord in the specified place that He would show them, but they could kill and eat meat in other places.  The chapter ends, "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it."  (12:32)  In Chapter 13 they were warned not to follow false prophets or anyone who tried to entice them to serve false gods.  Chapter 14 gives them their dietary laws, clean and unclean animals, just as we saw in Leviticus 11.  Moses also reminded them to tithe.  "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year."  (14:22)  I have always enjoyed sharing fresh vegetables from my garden with my family and church friends.  I will not be able to plant and work a garden this year and I will surely miss it.  In addition to the chemo I will be taking chemo pills and can't be in the sun.  I am also not to be around people because my resistance will be low.  The good news is, I am scheduled for 4 sessions, once every 3 weeks, instead of 12 sessions, once every 2 weeks.  Chapter 15 gives the laws concerning the Sabbath year, as we saw in Exodus 23.  Chapter 16 gives their ordinances for their feasts.  "Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:  Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee."  (16:16-17)  The chapter ends talking about judges and officers in the gates, and another reminder that they not set up any images "which the LORD thy God hateth."  (16:22)

February 25 - Deuteronomy 17 - 19

I don't know how many chapters have included warnings against serving other gods, but Chapter 17 is making it very clear once again.  People who worshiped other idols were to be stoned.  Verses 14-20 give instructions for the king.  The king was to be one that God chose and he was to be one of the Israelites and not a stranger.  He also had certain laws that he was to obey.  God granted King Solomon's desire for wisdom, but he still turned aside from following God's law and multiplied horses, wives, and silver and gold.  (I Kings 4:26 and 10:14-23 and 11:1-8)

"16  But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
17  Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
18  And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:
19  And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
20  That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel."  (Deuteronomy 17:16-20)

The verses of Chapter 18 are regarding the Levites, the priests, and the prophets.  Prophecy of the Messiah the Prophet is also included.  Scriptures from the New Testament follow. 

"15  The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
16  According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
17  And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
18  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
19  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him."  (Deuteronomy 18:15-19)

"22  For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
23  And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
24  Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
25  Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
26  Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities."  (Acts 3:22-26)

Chapter 19 explains more about the cities of refuge.  Verse 14 warns them not to remove their neighbor's landmark and verse 15 begins a section on witnesses and judges.  Judgment would be established by the mouths of two or three witnesses and not a single witness.

​February 26 - Deuteronomy 20 - 23

Life Lesson... Our Lord is always with us.  "... for the LORD thy God is with thee..."  (Deuteronomy 20:1)   "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."  (Matthew 28:20)
Let's begin Chapter 20 with the first verse.  When we face the battles of this world, do we remember that the Lord our God is with us?  

"1  When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
2  And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
3  And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
4  For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
5  And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
6  And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
7  And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
8  And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.
9  And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people."  (20:1-9)

​Chapter 21 gives instructions for the surrounding cities when a person is found slain.  The chapter continues with laws about wives, inheritance to the firstborn, and rebellious children.  You may recognize the last verse as one that we find quoted in the New Testament.  "His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance."  (21:23)  "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."  (Galatians 3:13-14)  Chapter 22 begins with doing the neighborly thing, such as returning things that they found which were lost and being helpful to others.  Various other laws are given and the chapter ends with laws concerning adultery.  Chapter 23 talks of various regulations on how to live.  

​February 27 - Deuteronomy 24 - 27

Did you know... The husband's role for the first year of marriage was to "cheer up his wife"?  Chapter 24 begins with the law of divorce and continues with different rules they were to follow.  I want to mention two.  The first was for newlyweds.  "When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken."  (Deuteronomy 24:5)   The next verse I want us to see tells that they were to help those in need.  "When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands."  (24:19)  Chapter 25 continues with more rules and regulations.  In Chapter 26 they were to offer their firstfruits to the Lord.  "And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:  And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you."  (26:10-11)  In Chapter 27 Moses wanted to make a way for the Israelites to remember to keep all the commandments.  

"2  And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:
3  And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.
4  Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.
5  And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.
6  Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:
7  And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.
8  And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.
9  And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.
10  Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day."  (27:2-10)

The chapter ends with sins that would bring a curse to the people.

February 28 - Deuteronomy 28 - 29

​Life Lesson... Focus on the truths that God gives us, and remember that "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God..."  (Deuteronomy 9:29)   I have my first appointment for chemotherapy this morning.  This is one of those secret things in my life that belongs to the Lord.  I am putting my trust in my loving Savior to be with me through this journey.  Let's begin with Chapter 28.

"1  And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3  Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4  Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5  Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6  Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7  The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8  The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
9  The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
10  And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee."  (28:1-10)

The blessings upon Israel were great as long as they followed the Lord.  But, from verse 15 all the way to the end of the chapter, verse 68, they were warned of the curse that would be upon them if they served other gods.  "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:  Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field."  (28:15-16)  "Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:"  (28:45)  The chapter continues with descriptions of how other nations will conquer them and they will be scattered.  In Chapter 29 Moses pleaded with them, "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do."  (29:9)  The chapter closes with a remarkable verse... "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."  (29:29)  There are things in this world that we don't understand.  There are things of God that our minds can't comprehend.  We don't need to try and search out things that we don't understand.  We need to leave all these "Why's" and "How's" and "When's" up to the Lord, and follow the Word of the Lord that we do understand. 

March 1 - Deuteronomy 30 

Life Lesson... God gives us a choice between life and death, blessing and cursing, and His desire is for us to choose life!  "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"  (Deuteronomy 30:19)  "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  (John 14:6) 
We are beginning a new month.  In the month of March we celebrate spring and new life.  Do you have life in Jesus?

"11  For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
12  It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
13  Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
14  But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
15  See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
16  In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
17  But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;
18  I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.
19  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20  That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."  (30:11-20)

​Today we still have a choice.  We can choose to put our trust in Jesus for salvation and choose life.  Any other choice is death and everlasting condemnation.

"16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."  (John 3:16-18)

"4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5  For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6  But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7  Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."  (Romans 10:6-8)

​March 2 - Deuteronomy 31 - 34

​Life Lesson... We can Praise The Lord even in hard times! This past Monday I had a port-a-cath put in and on Tuesday I had the first chemotherapy infusion. These were a little difficult in part, but I am Praising The Lord that He never fails us or forsakes us and He is with us all the way. Praise The Lord!
We are coming to the end of Deuteronomy and Moses has reminded the Israelites of some of their times of trouble. He reminds them that the Lord will be with them. And he gave them a song of praise!

"1  And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.
2  And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
3  The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said...
6  Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
7  And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
8  And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."  (Deuteronomy 31:1-3 and 6-8)

Moses is coming to an end of his last words.  He wrote the law and gave it to the priests.  He commanded that they gather the people together, men, women, and children, and even the strangers that were there, and read it to all the people at the feast of tabernacles at the end of every seven years.  

"14  And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.
15  And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle.
16  And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them."  (31:14-16)

Then God gave Moses a song to teach to the Children of Israel so they could remember the Lord.  "Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.  And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee."  (31:22-23)  Chapter 32 is the song of Moses.

"1  Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
2  My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
3  Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
4  He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he."  (Deuteronomy 32:1-4)

Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to the rock and that is why he was not allowed to go into the Promised Land.  I believe he came to understand the importance of the Rock because the word, "Rock" is sung in verses 4, 13, 15, 18, 30, 31 and 37.  The song was to help them remember the Lord and all He had done for them.  "Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee."  (32:7)  He wanted them to consider the consequences of their disobedience.  "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!"  (32:29)  After Moses finished the song the Lord told him to go up the mountain and see the Promised Land and then he would be gathered unto his people.  In Chapter 33 Moses blessed each of the twelve tribes.  Two parts that stand out in my mind are, "...as thy days, so shall thy strength be" and "...The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms..."  (33:25 and 27)  In the final chapter Moses went up to the top of Pisgah and the Lord showed him all the land.  And Moses died and the Lord buried him and no man knew where his sepulcher was.  (Jude 9 is an interesting verse about the death of Moses.  "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.")  

"7  And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
8  And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
9  And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.
10  And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,
11  In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,
12  And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel."  (34:7-12)