“’But if a prophet presumptuously speaks a word in my name which I didn’t order him to say, or if he speaks in the name of other gods, then that prophet must die.’”
Deuteronomy 18:20
Growing up I have found myself many times sitting under the ministry of a prophet. It started at a young age when it was first prophesied over me that I would be a pastor. At the age when little boys are out on the soccer field or preparing to play football, I was found in church. The prophet called up the little children and I went forward. As the prophet prayed over me and revealed my destiny as per Adonai, it registered within my heart. It became my identity and all I could think about. Over the course of time I have sat again under this prophet, as well as a few others. I have heard Adonai share many details of life with me, and as the time goes forward they come true. They are not fortune-tellings, and crystal ball revealings, but true words from Adonai Himself. But maybe I have been fortunate. I have allowed myself to listen and sit under trusted prophets.
Here in Deuteronomy 18:20, where Adonai is speaking through Moshe details about prophecy, He explains clearly that if the prophet speaks for Adonai when not ordered, or if he speaks in the leading of other gods, that ‘prophet’ must die. In reading this I am reminded of the words of Ezekiel 13:6. Speaking concerning false prophets, Ezekiel declares, “Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, ‘The LORD declares,’ when the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled.”
I would like to ring the bell of warning if I may. We live in a time when people want to know the future, want to hear the good things to come, and want to live care-free. But I urge us to not allow our ears to be tickled. Adonai speaks still today – it is true. Yet Adonai will not speak against His Word. Years ago it was explained to me that prophesy should be a confirmation to something Adonai has already placed in your heart. For me, this has been true. Just recently I attended a meeting where I had felt Adonai leading me in a certain direction. I prayed over this for days, asked counsel of others, and sought hard to make sure it was Him and not me. When I went to the church days later to hear the speaker, it was prophesied over me the answer from Adonai. This person knew nothing except my name, yet spoke His words, “Run to complete the task I have called you to. Be bold, step out, and run.”
When it is Adonai, it will bear witness with what He has already told you. But let us be aware of those who speak on their own behalf and claim it as Adonai’s.
Deuteronomy 18:14 – 19:13
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
ABOMINABLE PRACTICES
“When you enter the land Adonai your God is giving you, you are not to learn how to follow the abominable practices of those nations.”
Deuteronomy 18:9
Do you realize that every morning people purposefully read the internet or newspaper, or have an application on their phone that will give them a daily horoscope? Did you know that cartoons now are becoming bolder in expressing satanic rituals in the name of innocence to our children? Is it understood the true danger of playing with an Ouija board or having your palm read? These things, as innocent as they may seem, are open doors to the enemy. In fact, more blatantly, these things are considered by Adonai as abominable or detestable. They are detestable for the very fact that they open our lives to the enemy’s plan of demise.
It is for this very reason that Adonai repeats in Deuteronomy 18 that He wants us to have nothing to do with these detestable practices. And in the case we are unclear as to what they may be, Adonai lists them for us.
- People who sacrifice their son or daughter in the fire
- People who practice divination or sorcery
- People who interpret omens
- People who engage in witchcraft or cast spells
- People who are a medium or spiritist
- And finally people who consult with the dead
The nation of Isra’el was coming into the Promise Land cleaned up, and Adonai intended for them to stay that way. He did not want them to revert to their past, or even to open the door to the enemy. But just as Adonai did not want us to do it then, so He does not want us to do it now. His intention is our freedom, not our slavery. So then let me ask you this. Are you opening the door to these abominable practices? Are you reading the horoscope? Are you involved in any level to witchcraft? Are you doing anything that keeps the door open to your downfall? Shut it! Shut the door now! Do not give the enemy a foothold at the destruction of who Adonai has made you. Remove these abominable practices now, before it is too late.
Deuteronomy 18:1-5
Deuteronomy 18:6-13
Deuteronomy 18:9
Do you realize that every morning people purposefully read the internet or newspaper, or have an application on their phone that will give them a daily horoscope? Did you know that cartoons now are becoming bolder in expressing satanic rituals in the name of innocence to our children? Is it understood the true danger of playing with an Ouija board or having your palm read? These things, as innocent as they may seem, are open doors to the enemy. In fact, more blatantly, these things are considered by Adonai as abominable or detestable. They are detestable for the very fact that they open our lives to the enemy’s plan of demise.
It is for this very reason that Adonai repeats in Deuteronomy 18 that He wants us to have nothing to do with these detestable practices. And in the case we are unclear as to what they may be, Adonai lists them for us.
- People who sacrifice their son or daughter in the fire
- People who practice divination or sorcery
- People who interpret omens
- People who engage in witchcraft or cast spells
- People who are a medium or spiritist
- And finally people who consult with the dead
The nation of Isra’el was coming into the Promise Land cleaned up, and Adonai intended for them to stay that way. He did not want them to revert to their past, or even to open the door to the enemy. But just as Adonai did not want us to do it then, so He does not want us to do it now. His intention is our freedom, not our slavery. So then let me ask you this. Are you opening the door to these abominable practices? Are you reading the horoscope? Are you involved in any level to witchcraft? Are you doing anything that keeps the door open to your downfall? Shut it! Shut the door now! Do not give the enemy a foothold at the destruction of who Adonai has made you. Remove these abominable practices now, before it is too late.
Deuteronomy 18:1-5
Deuteronomy 18:6-13
STUDY HALL
“When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites.”
Deuteronomy 17:18
I will admit, as I am sure you probably have already figured out, I was a ‘nerd’ in school. I was the type of student who wanted homework, and if I didn’t have enough I would ask for more. Chalk it up to boredom, constantly having to be busy, or being nerdy, I call it being studious. For me there was, and really there still is, an excitement that came in learning something new. I tell you the truth, if college wasn’t so expensive, I may have already enrolled myself as a lifetime student. But in a way I am. Of my own accord I have placed myself in the lifelong school of God, vowing to learn His ways and statutes. So then it should come as no surprise that as I was studying once again last night, God would show me a requirement given to the Israelites concerning an earthly king, and the lessons I can still gleam from this requirement for myself, today.
In reading the Torah Parasha portion titled ‘Shoftim’, I found Deuteronomy 17:14-20. It is in this passage that Adonai speaks to Moshe concerning later on down the line that Israel will want a king. Other nations at the time had them, and there was nothing wrong with them, but there were certain requirements that Adonai was placing on the one who would become such for Israel. As I read these requirements, I was able to spot the areas in which some of Isra’el’s past kings went wrong. Adonai’s first requirement was that the king had to be a descendent of one of the tribes of Isra’el. We see this in Isra’el’s history with Saul, the first king, being from the tribe of Benjamin. But we see later where self appointed kings such as Herod the Great, had no relation to the tribes. This then is why Yeshua was titled the King of the Jews. Herod may have been the king of the region, but Yeshua was the King of the people. The next requirement concerned his horse collection, or rather the limit he would have on personal items. A king of Isra’el was to not have many wives as there was the possibility that they could sway him and turn his heart away. Haven’t we seen this in the life of Solomon? Not only did he intermarry, but his wives veered his heart away from Adonai. This requirement is followed then with the command to not acquire an excess of silver and gold, which I believe again could be used to steal the king’s heart from Adonai.
It was the next requirement, though, that really caught my attention. Verse 18 reads, “When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites.” As I thought about my own study habits I was reminded that I personally seem to remember something better when I write it down. Could it be the same here? The king was to write it down, carry it with him, and read it daily. First just let me say, this may benefit us all these days. But in thinking about these actions, I was reminded that we are supposed to hide His Word on our hearts so that we will not sin (Ps 119:11). Additionally, the New Living Translation of Psalm 40:8 reads, “I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” The king was to have the Word, the Torah, with him so that he would have Adonai’s ways before him, being guided and humbled, and holding himself to the same rules of Adonai that he was to govern his people with.
So then, let me ask this. Would we not benefit also from not only hiding Adonai’s Word in our hearts, but writing it down, carrying it with us, and reading it daily? In Jewish dress, the four corners of the tallit have twisted threads called tzitzits. Each strand, each thread, each knot within the tzitzit has value and is to remind the one wearing it of the 613 commands found within the Torah. Not only was the king to write down the Torah, but when wearing the tzitzits he wore a physical remembrance of the Torah. We may not wear this clothing as part of our daily dress these days, but what are we doing to carry His Word, remind us of His Word, and be guided by His Word? If we are truly His pen, and His Law is written on our heart, then we need to consider if we are reflecting His writing or our own.
Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Deuteronomy 17:18
I will admit, as I am sure you probably have already figured out, I was a ‘nerd’ in school. I was the type of student who wanted homework, and if I didn’t have enough I would ask for more. Chalk it up to boredom, constantly having to be busy, or being nerdy, I call it being studious. For me there was, and really there still is, an excitement that came in learning something new. I tell you the truth, if college wasn’t so expensive, I may have already enrolled myself as a lifetime student. But in a way I am. Of my own accord I have placed myself in the lifelong school of God, vowing to learn His ways and statutes. So then it should come as no surprise that as I was studying once again last night, God would show me a requirement given to the Israelites concerning an earthly king, and the lessons I can still gleam from this requirement for myself, today.
In reading the Torah Parasha portion titled ‘Shoftim’, I found Deuteronomy 17:14-20. It is in this passage that Adonai speaks to Moshe concerning later on down the line that Israel will want a king. Other nations at the time had them, and there was nothing wrong with them, but there were certain requirements that Adonai was placing on the one who would become such for Israel. As I read these requirements, I was able to spot the areas in which some of Isra’el’s past kings went wrong. Adonai’s first requirement was that the king had to be a descendent of one of the tribes of Isra’el. We see this in Isra’el’s history with Saul, the first king, being from the tribe of Benjamin. But we see later where self appointed kings such as Herod the Great, had no relation to the tribes. This then is why Yeshua was titled the King of the Jews. Herod may have been the king of the region, but Yeshua was the King of the people. The next requirement concerned his horse collection, or rather the limit he would have on personal items. A king of Isra’el was to not have many wives as there was the possibility that they could sway him and turn his heart away. Haven’t we seen this in the life of Solomon? Not only did he intermarry, but his wives veered his heart away from Adonai. This requirement is followed then with the command to not acquire an excess of silver and gold, which I believe again could be used to steal the king’s heart from Adonai.
It was the next requirement, though, that really caught my attention. Verse 18 reads, “When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites.” As I thought about my own study habits I was reminded that I personally seem to remember something better when I write it down. Could it be the same here? The king was to write it down, carry it with him, and read it daily. First just let me say, this may benefit us all these days. But in thinking about these actions, I was reminded that we are supposed to hide His Word on our hearts so that we will not sin (Ps 119:11). Additionally, the New Living Translation of Psalm 40:8 reads, “I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” The king was to have the Word, the Torah, with him so that he would have Adonai’s ways before him, being guided and humbled, and holding himself to the same rules of Adonai that he was to govern his people with.
So then, let me ask this. Would we not benefit also from not only hiding Adonai’s Word in our hearts, but writing it down, carrying it with us, and reading it daily? In Jewish dress, the four corners of the tallit have twisted threads called tzitzits. Each strand, each thread, each knot within the tzitzit has value and is to remind the one wearing it of the 613 commands found within the Torah. Not only was the king to write down the Torah, but when wearing the tzitzits he wore a physical remembrance of the Torah. We may not wear this clothing as part of our daily dress these days, but what are we doing to carry His Word, remind us of His Word, and be guided by His Word? If we are truly His pen, and His Law is written on our heart, then we need to consider if we are reflecting His writing or our own.
Deuteronomy 17:14-20
POLES AND STONES
“You are not to plant any sort of tree as a sacred pole beside the altar of Adonai your God that you will make for yourselves. Likewise, do not set up a standing-stone; Adonai your God hates such things.”
Deuteronomy 16:21-22
In looking back at Exodus 20:3-4, we read that one of the commandments given to the people of Isra’el was that no other gods were to be before Adonai. Whether carved out or not, or even representing Adonai or not, the fact remained that nothing was to be worshipped except for Adonai Himself. Here in Deuteronomy 16, we see again Adonai commanding His people that no pole or stone was to be used in any form of worship.
Right away my mind travels to Judges 6 and the account of Gideon. Although Gideon is not found within the Torah, we read of his tearing down his father’s altar to Baal and cutting down his Asherah pole (Jud 6:25). In the morning when the town awakes to see what has happened, they question the people and find that it was Gideon who caused the chaos. Livid, the people demand the father, Joash, to release his son to their punishment. However, Gideon’s father leaves the argument stating that if Baal is god, then he can defend himself (Jud 6:31).
But what happened? What was it that turned the people over time from agreeing to this command of no idols and gods, to what we read in Judges? I come up with two suggestions, and in all honesty I pray they never become our reasons. First, the people were swayed. We see this in the account of Solomon also. Just as Solomon allowed the women in his life to sway him from Adonai, so also Adonai’s chosen people swayed from their first love. As such, they began to serve sticks and rocks. The second suggestion, they did not see Adonai as all He proclaims to be. Because of the trial in the desert, because of the battles that had to be fought, because life was not served to them on a silver platter, the people began to question who Adonai was. Instead of remembering Him as the one who had parted the Red Sea, or the one who provided manna and quail in the wilderness, they began to see Him as the one who brought them there to die with a lack of water, or of a land of giants.
Let us be careful that in the times when things do not come handed to us, we do not turn our backs on Adonai. We are to worship the Creator, not the creation. Serving the rocks and sticks will only put us back in Egypt instead of the Promise Land that awaits us.
Deuteronomy 16:18 – 17:13
Deuteronomy 16:21-22
In looking back at Exodus 20:3-4, we read that one of the commandments given to the people of Isra’el was that no other gods were to be before Adonai. Whether carved out or not, or even representing Adonai or not, the fact remained that nothing was to be worshipped except for Adonai Himself. Here in Deuteronomy 16, we see again Adonai commanding His people that no pole or stone was to be used in any form of worship.
Right away my mind travels to Judges 6 and the account of Gideon. Although Gideon is not found within the Torah, we read of his tearing down his father’s altar to Baal and cutting down his Asherah pole (Jud 6:25). In the morning when the town awakes to see what has happened, they question the people and find that it was Gideon who caused the chaos. Livid, the people demand the father, Joash, to release his son to their punishment. However, Gideon’s father leaves the argument stating that if Baal is god, then he can defend himself (Jud 6:31).
But what happened? What was it that turned the people over time from agreeing to this command of no idols and gods, to what we read in Judges? I come up with two suggestions, and in all honesty I pray they never become our reasons. First, the people were swayed. We see this in the account of Solomon also. Just as Solomon allowed the women in his life to sway him from Adonai, so also Adonai’s chosen people swayed from their first love. As such, they began to serve sticks and rocks. The second suggestion, they did not see Adonai as all He proclaims to be. Because of the trial in the desert, because of the battles that had to be fought, because life was not served to them on a silver platter, the people began to question who Adonai was. Instead of remembering Him as the one who had parted the Red Sea, or the one who provided manna and quail in the wilderness, they began to see Him as the one who brought them there to die with a lack of water, or of a land of giants.
Let us be careful that in the times when things do not come handed to us, we do not turn our backs on Adonai. We are to worship the Creator, not the creation. Serving the rocks and sticks will only put us back in Egypt instead of the Promise Land that awaits us.
Deuteronomy 16:18 – 17:13
Sunday, August 19, 2012
DOING WHAT IS RIGHT
“…because you obey the LORD your God, keeping all His commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in His eyes.”
Deuteronomy 13:18
Please forgive me if I sound like a broken record, but haven’t we heard this command already? If you’re like me, you read over this verse and in the back of your mind feel as though you have heard these words already. And the truth is, we have. Remember, Deuteronomy was the second giving of the Law, right before of people of Isra’el entered the Promise Land. Yet why would the people need to hear these words again. Well remember once more that the original people who Moshe led out of Egypt passed in the desert. This was their children the Moshe was now leading. Even still, we hear the same command to do what is right.
Many times I look at the Hebrews in the Torah as being an arrogant and stubborn people. However, the more I look at them and read their acts, the more I see me in them. The reason they needed so many reminders was because they so often forsook His ways and got in trouble. Here again the words of Moshe, via Adonai, were to keep the commands of Adonai. Yet we see later on in Joshua, Judges, and following, that they slipped back from the ways of Adonai and then suffered the consequence.
So the question begs, what is the punishment for our not keeping the ways of Adonai? More so, do we even fear the consequence for not doing His will, or have we brushed it off saying that was Old Testament and Adonai is no longer in the business of smiting His people. Truth be told, it was hardly ever God who smote, but rather the open door because of the sin of the people that had been left open. Their disobedience became the open door for the enemy to come in through. Sin is still a door the enemy travels in through today. As is seen in this passage, and the many that follow, failing to keep the commands of Adonai can result in disaster. Let us heed the words Moshe spoke on this day. Let us here the call to obey.
Deuteronomy 14:1-21
Deuteronomy 14:22-29
Deuteronomy 15:1-18
Deuteronomy 15:19 – 16:17
Deuteronomy 13:18
Please forgive me if I sound like a broken record, but haven’t we heard this command already? If you’re like me, you read over this verse and in the back of your mind feel as though you have heard these words already. And the truth is, we have. Remember, Deuteronomy was the second giving of the Law, right before of people of Isra’el entered the Promise Land. Yet why would the people need to hear these words again. Well remember once more that the original people who Moshe led out of Egypt passed in the desert. This was their children the Moshe was now leading. Even still, we hear the same command to do what is right.
Many times I look at the Hebrews in the Torah as being an arrogant and stubborn people. However, the more I look at them and read their acts, the more I see me in them. The reason they needed so many reminders was because they so often forsook His ways and got in trouble. Here again the words of Moshe, via Adonai, were to keep the commands of Adonai. Yet we see later on in Joshua, Judges, and following, that they slipped back from the ways of Adonai and then suffered the consequence.
So the question begs, what is the punishment for our not keeping the ways of Adonai? More so, do we even fear the consequence for not doing His will, or have we brushed it off saying that was Old Testament and Adonai is no longer in the business of smiting His people. Truth be told, it was hardly ever God who smote, but rather the open door because of the sin of the people that had been left open. Their disobedience became the open door for the enemy to come in through. Sin is still a door the enemy travels in through today. As is seen in this passage, and the many that follow, failing to keep the commands of Adonai can result in disaster. Let us heed the words Moshe spoke on this day. Let us here the call to obey.
Deuteronomy 14:1-21
Deuteronomy 14:22-29
Deuteronomy 15:1-18
Deuteronomy 15:19 – 16:17
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
EVERYWHERE I GO
““Obey and pay attention to everything I am ordering you to do, so that things will go well with you and with your descendants after you forever, as you do what Adonai sees as good and right” “
Deuteronomy 12:28
It was my freshman year in college when I heard the best definition of integrity I have ever come to know. Sitting on the tile floor during hall meeting, my chaplain called out that integrity is who we are when no one is looking. Nineteen years have passed since I first heard those words, and yet they still play over and over in my mind. All the little things I think I hide, whether they be from my kids or from others, someone still knows about. Every little thought, every little action, every little place I go when I am alone is not hidden from Him no matter how well I try to hide it from others.
When I would drive from Oklahoma to California during college I would always pass an XXX club outside of Amarillo, Texas. I would be telling a lie if I said that the thought had never crossed my mind to go inside during those travels. After all, who would have known? Many times I was traveling alone, and reason played games in my mind that it would just be ‘our little secret.’ But I never stopped. Maybe it was because of the words my chaplain had spoken. Yet just last summer I drove past this same club once more when taking a road trip. With only myself in the car at 3am, and the red XXX beckoning passersby, I continued on. Was it again the words of my chaplain that played in my mind? Was it my maturity in my walk with Yeshua after nineteen years? Or was it because I knew that even if no one else knew, Adonai would know? Honestly, I think it was a little of all three.
As I was studying once again this Torah portion, my eyes landed on Deuteronomy 12:28, which reads, “Obey and pay attention to everything I am ordering you to do, so that things will go well with you and with your descendants after you forever, as you do what Adonai sees as good and right” (CJB). It seems only obvious that the He would not see visiting a strip club as good and right. But isn’t it just as obvious to understand that Adonai would not see living a lie as good and right also? Who we are when the door is closed needs to match who we are when the door is open. But does it?
My mind journeys back to the movie, The Truman Show, where Jim Carrey’s character’s life is secretly being filmed for all the world to see. Unbeknownst to him, every action he performs is public. Every tear cried, every woman loved, and every aspect of his morning preparation is watched by the world. This idea scares me, but why? Could it be that I have a secret life that I am still trying to hide? While my life may never be displayed on a jumbo-tron in Times Square, it is seen constantly by Adonai. There is no such thing as privacy in His presence. Perhaps this is why David wrote the lyrics of Psalm 139:7-10. “Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I lie down in Sh’ol, you are there. If I fly away with the wings of the dawn and land beyond the sea, even there your hand would lead me, your right hand would hold me fast” (CJB). David knew that there was nowhere to hide from the eyes of Adonai.
In our challenge to do what is good and right in the eyes of Him, we must remember that He watches all that we do. Adonai watched as I drove past the XXX club both years ago and more recently, but He has also watched as I have told lie after lie to friends and family, as I have cheated, as I have flipped channels late at night, and as I spoken words I should never have said. Even if you haven’t seen it, Adonai has seen it all. And He has seen all that you also have done. The awesome part is that He offers forgiveness to us for these actions if we ask Him. There is nowhere we can go to escape His view, but there is also nowhere safer than in His arms. With this, I urge you to run into His arms, confess the sins He already knows about, and allow His love to wash away your sin. He loves you so much; that is why He is watching. Friend, you are the apple of His eye.
Deuteronomy 12:1-28
Deuteronomy 12:28
It was my freshman year in college when I heard the best definition of integrity I have ever come to know. Sitting on the tile floor during hall meeting, my chaplain called out that integrity is who we are when no one is looking. Nineteen years have passed since I first heard those words, and yet they still play over and over in my mind. All the little things I think I hide, whether they be from my kids or from others, someone still knows about. Every little thought, every little action, every little place I go when I am alone is not hidden from Him no matter how well I try to hide it from others.
When I would drive from Oklahoma to California during college I would always pass an XXX club outside of Amarillo, Texas. I would be telling a lie if I said that the thought had never crossed my mind to go inside during those travels. After all, who would have known? Many times I was traveling alone, and reason played games in my mind that it would just be ‘our little secret.’ But I never stopped. Maybe it was because of the words my chaplain had spoken. Yet just last summer I drove past this same club once more when taking a road trip. With only myself in the car at 3am, and the red XXX beckoning passersby, I continued on. Was it again the words of my chaplain that played in my mind? Was it my maturity in my walk with Yeshua after nineteen years? Or was it because I knew that even if no one else knew, Adonai would know? Honestly, I think it was a little of all three.
As I was studying once again this Torah portion, my eyes landed on Deuteronomy 12:28, which reads, “Obey and pay attention to everything I am ordering you to do, so that things will go well with you and with your descendants after you forever, as you do what Adonai sees as good and right” (CJB). It seems only obvious that the He would not see visiting a strip club as good and right. But isn’t it just as obvious to understand that Adonai would not see living a lie as good and right also? Who we are when the door is closed needs to match who we are when the door is open. But does it?
My mind journeys back to the movie, The Truman Show, where Jim Carrey’s character’s life is secretly being filmed for all the world to see. Unbeknownst to him, every action he performs is public. Every tear cried, every woman loved, and every aspect of his morning preparation is watched by the world. This idea scares me, but why? Could it be that I have a secret life that I am still trying to hide? While my life may never be displayed on a jumbo-tron in Times Square, it is seen constantly by Adonai. There is no such thing as privacy in His presence. Perhaps this is why David wrote the lyrics of Psalm 139:7-10. “Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I lie down in Sh’ol, you are there. If I fly away with the wings of the dawn and land beyond the sea, even there your hand would lead me, your right hand would hold me fast” (CJB). David knew that there was nowhere to hide from the eyes of Adonai.
In our challenge to do what is good and right in the eyes of Him, we must remember that He watches all that we do. Adonai watched as I drove past the XXX club both years ago and more recently, but He has also watched as I have told lie after lie to friends and family, as I have cheated, as I have flipped channels late at night, and as I spoken words I should never have said. Even if you haven’t seen it, Adonai has seen it all. And He has seen all that you also have done. The awesome part is that He offers forgiveness to us for these actions if we ask Him. There is nowhere we can go to escape His view, but there is also nowhere safer than in His arms. With this, I urge you to run into His arms, confess the sins He already knows about, and allow His love to wash away your sin. He loves you so much; that is why He is watching. Friend, you are the apple of His eye.
Deuteronomy 12:1-28
ALL THE LAWS AND RULINGS
“And you are to take care to follow all the laws and rulings I am setting before you today.”
Deuteronomy 11:32 CJB
Allow me to first confess that in no way am I a learned Jewish scholar. I am far from it to be honest. With that said, I want to share a lesson I am finding from reading the Torah portion, spanning from Deuteronomy 11:26 thru 16:17, titled RE’EH, or ‘see’. As I have been studying this section, He has indeed been helping me to ‘see’.
Deuteronomy 11:26 begins by stating, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.” Reading on we learn that the blessing Moshe was speaking of would come from listening and heeding the commands, or mitzvot, of Adonai. The curse would come from doing the opposite and turning aside from Adonai to follow other gods. Haven’t we read this before? As part of the Ten Commandments, Adonai commanded His people not to bow down or serve other gods, but rather to serve Him only. And Adonai also gave both throughout the forty year journey and here again right before their entry, His commands concerning their practices and behaviors. So off hand, this choice seems pretty black or white. And while I would suggest that many, if not all of us, would declare that we would choose the way of blessing, I would question if we have.
The command continues, however, and we read that when Isra’el was to have entered the Promised Land they were to place the blessing on Mount G’rizim (Gerizim) and the curse of Mount ‘Eival (Ebal). In my own study I questioned the significance of these two Mounts? In researching this I found that Mount G’rizim means “cuttings off”. Now please notice, I did not make a typo by writing “cuttings”. This term alludes to pruning. In order for a tree to flourish and grow fruit, it goes through times of pruning, cutting off the dead so that the living can continue. It was on this Mount that the pruning of Adonai’s people would happen so that the living and fruit bearing would continue. And it was the opposite on Mount ‘Eival. Mount ‘Eival was known as barren, bald, and bare. No tree flourished on this mount, and therefore no fruit either. Whether due to climate issues or simply just a curse on this mount prior to the Isra’elites, the fact remained that nothing flourished physically on this mount.
This chapter of Deuteronomy ends with a final command for both the Isra’elites and all those who will follow. “And you are to take care to follow all the laws and rulings I am setting before you today.” As we know, there will come a time when each of us will be judged. Our actions will determine whether we are found on Mount G’rizim or Mount ‘Eival. I pray that it is the Mount of blessing. But the end decision in where we are found rests in the decisions we make now. Do we follow all the laws and rulings? Do we follow enough to get by? Do we follow any at all? Hebrews 10:26-31 states that if we continue to sin after we know the truth of our sin, we should not be surprised when Adonai judges us. Mount ‘Eival is not the place I want to find myself in the end, so I must begin to make better choices now. Life and death has been set before us all. Let us choose life. Let us stand on the blessed Mount G’rizim.
Deuteronomy 11:26-32
Deuteronomy 11:32 CJB
Allow me to first confess that in no way am I a learned Jewish scholar. I am far from it to be honest. With that said, I want to share a lesson I am finding from reading the Torah portion, spanning from Deuteronomy 11:26 thru 16:17, titled RE’EH, or ‘see’. As I have been studying this section, He has indeed been helping me to ‘see’.
Deuteronomy 11:26 begins by stating, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.” Reading on we learn that the blessing Moshe was speaking of would come from listening and heeding the commands, or mitzvot, of Adonai. The curse would come from doing the opposite and turning aside from Adonai to follow other gods. Haven’t we read this before? As part of the Ten Commandments, Adonai commanded His people not to bow down or serve other gods, but rather to serve Him only. And Adonai also gave both throughout the forty year journey and here again right before their entry, His commands concerning their practices and behaviors. So off hand, this choice seems pretty black or white. And while I would suggest that many, if not all of us, would declare that we would choose the way of blessing, I would question if we have.
The command continues, however, and we read that when Isra’el was to have entered the Promised Land they were to place the blessing on Mount G’rizim (Gerizim) and the curse of Mount ‘Eival (Ebal). In my own study I questioned the significance of these two Mounts? In researching this I found that Mount G’rizim means “cuttings off”. Now please notice, I did not make a typo by writing “cuttings”. This term alludes to pruning. In order for a tree to flourish and grow fruit, it goes through times of pruning, cutting off the dead so that the living can continue. It was on this Mount that the pruning of Adonai’s people would happen so that the living and fruit bearing would continue. And it was the opposite on Mount ‘Eival. Mount ‘Eival was known as barren, bald, and bare. No tree flourished on this mount, and therefore no fruit either. Whether due to climate issues or simply just a curse on this mount prior to the Isra’elites, the fact remained that nothing flourished physically on this mount.
This chapter of Deuteronomy ends with a final command for both the Isra’elites and all those who will follow. “And you are to take care to follow all the laws and rulings I am setting before you today.” As we know, there will come a time when each of us will be judged. Our actions will determine whether we are found on Mount G’rizim or Mount ‘Eival. I pray that it is the Mount of blessing. But the end decision in where we are found rests in the decisions we make now. Do we follow all the laws and rulings? Do we follow enough to get by? Do we follow any at all? Hebrews 10:26-31 states that if we continue to sin after we know the truth of our sin, we should not be surprised when Adonai judges us. Mount ‘Eival is not the place I want to find myself in the end, so I must begin to make better choices now. Life and death has been set before us all. Let us choose life. Let us stand on the blessed Mount G’rizim.
Deuteronomy 11:26-32
Monday, August 13, 2012
SHORT AND SWEET
“…then Adonai will expel all these nations ahead of you; and you will dispossess nations bigger and stronger than you are.”
Deuteronomy 11:23
I can’t answer for you, but when I read these final verses of Deuteronomy 11, I hear a simple instruction. It is, if I may say it, short and sweet. There seems to be a reminder given to the people that once again reiterates the need to follow Adonai in all His commands. Starting in verse 10, Adonai instructs that the land they are going into is not like Egypt even in the fact of how the ground is cultivated. This new land has hills and valleys, and is kept refreshed by Adonai’s tending. Yet, this tending and rain will only continue to happen if the people follow His mitzvoth. If the people turn away, the waters will cease.
So then, Adonai reminds the people once more to keep His Word before them. They are to store the words in their hearts, tie them around their hands, secure them to their foreheads, and write them on their doorposts. The people are to teach them to their children at home, on the road, and in every circumstance. If they obey Him, love Adonai, follow His ways and expel those who work to take them off course, them even the giants of the nations will be taken down.
Is not this same truth still in place today? I believe it is, and the detail is short and sweet. Adonai never did away with His mitzvoth. They are just as plain today and then. IF you do His commands, THEN you will have His blessing. If we obey Him, love Him, follow Him, and expel the enemy that comes in to attack us, then the giant working to destroy us will lose all his power. Size is not a factor with Adonai, because remember, He made all things. Adonai is looking for someone to bless. He is looking for the one who follows His mitzvoth. Will He find you?
Deuteronomy 11:10 – 21
Deuteronomy 11:22 - 25
Deuteronomy 11:23
I can’t answer for you, but when I read these final verses of Deuteronomy 11, I hear a simple instruction. It is, if I may say it, short and sweet. There seems to be a reminder given to the people that once again reiterates the need to follow Adonai in all His commands. Starting in verse 10, Adonai instructs that the land they are going into is not like Egypt even in the fact of how the ground is cultivated. This new land has hills and valleys, and is kept refreshed by Adonai’s tending. Yet, this tending and rain will only continue to happen if the people follow His mitzvoth. If the people turn away, the waters will cease.
So then, Adonai reminds the people once more to keep His Word before them. They are to store the words in their hearts, tie them around their hands, secure them to their foreheads, and write them on their doorposts. The people are to teach them to their children at home, on the road, and in every circumstance. If they obey Him, love Adonai, follow His ways and expel those who work to take them off course, them even the giants of the nations will be taken down.
Is not this same truth still in place today? I believe it is, and the detail is short and sweet. Adonai never did away with His mitzvoth. They are just as plain today and then. IF you do His commands, THEN you will have His blessing. If we obey Him, love Him, follow Him, and expel the enemy that comes in to attack us, then the giant working to destroy us will lose all his power. Size is not a factor with Adonai, because remember, He made all things. Adonai is looking for someone to bless. He is looking for the one who follows His mitzvoth. Will He find you?
Deuteronomy 11:10 – 21
Deuteronomy 11:22 - 25
HOW ARE YOU LIVING?
“So now, Isra’el, all that Adonai your God asks from you is to fear Adonai your God, follow all his ways, love him and serve Adonai your God with all your heart and all your being.”
Deuteronomy 10:12
I want to dive right in to this verse and define the things Adonai asks from us. I think that with a better understanding of what is asked we may be able to find the areas we fall short so as to make the changes needed to honor Him with all our heart and being. How about it; are you ready to jump into some Hebrew understanding? Good. I have taken the liberty to define the words as follows per the Hebrew:
1) Fear = YARE’ = revere, stand in awe, honor, respect
2) Follow = YALAK = to go, walk, proceed, live in
3) Love = ‘AHAB = act of being a friend, lover, love for another
4) Serve = ‘ABAD = to labor, to work, serve as a subject
If we were to look with this understanding at the words of Deuteronomy 10:12, we might find the verse to read more like this: “So now, Isra’el, all that Adonai your God asks from you is to stand in reverence and awe of Adonai your God, live in His ways, be His lover, and labor under Him as a servant to Adonai your God with all your heart and all your being.” This doesn’t seem to look like much, but the problem is we do not do it. Maybe better said, we do not do it consistently.
I think about this in regards to a diet or New Year’s resolution. In the beginning we are denying the sweets or making the purposed effort to go to the gym. But as the diet continues, or the mornings drag on, we find excuses to cheat on the self-control or talk ourselves out of going to work out. Don’t worry, I speak from experience. And I also speak from experience when it comes to the ways of doing as Adonai commands. I start out with awe for Him, coupled with the longing to live in His ways. I vow love and service, and boldly state that nothing can take this love away. But in time, be it soon or late, I find myself taking back pieces of the devotion I promised, taking my heart back and reclaiming my being.
What does Adonai ask? He ‘asks’, (or in the Hebrew the word is SHA’AL, meaning to beg), that we fear, follow, love, and serve. These aren’t things we are supposed to do only when they are fresh, but rather traits we are to live in constantly. His ways are not to be casual, but purposeful. So then, ask yourself, how are you living?
Deuteronomy 10:1-11
Deuteronomy 10:12 – 11:9
Deuteronomy 10:12
I want to dive right in to this verse and define the things Adonai asks from us. I think that with a better understanding of what is asked we may be able to find the areas we fall short so as to make the changes needed to honor Him with all our heart and being. How about it; are you ready to jump into some Hebrew understanding? Good. I have taken the liberty to define the words as follows per the Hebrew:
1) Fear = YARE’ = revere, stand in awe, honor, respect
2) Follow = YALAK = to go, walk, proceed, live in
3) Love = ‘AHAB = act of being a friend, lover, love for another
4) Serve = ‘ABAD = to labor, to work, serve as a subject
If we were to look with this understanding at the words of Deuteronomy 10:12, we might find the verse to read more like this: “So now, Isra’el, all that Adonai your God asks from you is to stand in reverence and awe of Adonai your God, live in His ways, be His lover, and labor under Him as a servant to Adonai your God with all your heart and all your being.” This doesn’t seem to look like much, but the problem is we do not do it. Maybe better said, we do not do it consistently.
I think about this in regards to a diet or New Year’s resolution. In the beginning we are denying the sweets or making the purposed effort to go to the gym. But as the diet continues, or the mornings drag on, we find excuses to cheat on the self-control or talk ourselves out of going to work out. Don’t worry, I speak from experience. And I also speak from experience when it comes to the ways of doing as Adonai commands. I start out with awe for Him, coupled with the longing to live in His ways. I vow love and service, and boldly state that nothing can take this love away. But in time, be it soon or late, I find myself taking back pieces of the devotion I promised, taking my heart back and reclaiming my being.
What does Adonai ask? He ‘asks’, (or in the Hebrew the word is SHA’AL, meaning to beg), that we fear, follow, love, and serve. These aren’t things we are supposed to do only when they are fresh, but rather traits we are to live in constantly. His ways are not to be casual, but purposeful. So then, ask yourself, how are you living?
Deuteronomy 10:1-11
Deuteronomy 10:12 – 11:9
Sunday, August 12, 2012
STIFF-NECKED
“Therefore, understand that it not for your righteousness that Adonai your God is giving you this good land to possess. For you are a stiff-necked people!”
Deuteronomy 9:6
As I read through the Torah my eyes land on certain words or phrases that catch my attention. I have shared a few of these over what has almost been a year now. In studying again today, my eyes landed once more on another nugget of gold. In fact, this nugget was so bold that it practically screamed of a challenge. Look with me at Deuteronomy 9:5-6.
In Deuteronomy 9:5, Adonai begins to explain via Moshe to the children of Isra’el who are about to enter the Promise Land, the reason for why they are entering the Promise Land. Now if you remember, the people were not the most righteous or right of heart. Looking back over their forty years we recall the golden calf, the rebellion of Korach, the allowance of the Midianite intermarriage, as well as a number of instances where they grumbled and complained. Yet, in all these areas, Adonai was still allowing them as a nation, entrance. So then, Adonai states boldly, “It is not because of your righteousness, or because your heart is so upright, that you go in to take possession of the land; but to punish the wickedness of these nations that Adonai your God is driving them out ahead of you, and also to confirm the word which Adonai swore to your ancestors, Avraham, Yitz’chak and Ya’akov.”
They were allowed entrance because of two reasons. One, the people who currently lived in the land were more wicked than what the people of Isra’el had been over the past forty years. And two, Adonai had made a promise to the fathers of the people. So then, in verse 6, He continues by saying again, “Therefore, understand that it not for your righteousness that Adonai your God is giving you this good land to possess. For you are a stiff-necked people!” This is the part I want to catch. This is the part I want us to consider. Are we stiff-necked?
Honestly, I had to look up this word. Going into the Hebrew I found the word defined as QASHEH, meaning hard, cruel, obstinate, or difficult. Adonai was making a point to inform these people that they were hard to work with. In many cases, they argued with His anointed, disobeyed His commands, and fought against His ways. Am I describing anyone out there? I know for a fact I am describing myself. If it had not been for the fact that He had made a promise, and that those already in the land were worse, then I have to assume based on these words that Adonai would have forbid Isra’el to enter.
I look at my own life. My life has been botched up with sin, disobedience, and flat out rebellion toward His Word. Yet, He calls me. He calls me to minister to His people. At a young age He called me with a promise, stating that I would be a minister. But I have been stiff-necked. My right deeds, or lack of them, do not equal the opportunity to receive His promise. Still, one day it will happen. The question maybe more so then is will I continue to be stiff-necked? I do not want to be. I want to be in His will, obeying all His commands, and moving in His ways.
Adonai, I pray you show me all the ways in which I have been stiff-necked, so that I can even now begin to change. I repent for my stiff-necked behavior.
Deuteronomy 9:4-29
Deuteronomy 9:6
As I read through the Torah my eyes land on certain words or phrases that catch my attention. I have shared a few of these over what has almost been a year now. In studying again today, my eyes landed once more on another nugget of gold. In fact, this nugget was so bold that it practically screamed of a challenge. Look with me at Deuteronomy 9:5-6.
In Deuteronomy 9:5, Adonai begins to explain via Moshe to the children of Isra’el who are about to enter the Promise Land, the reason for why they are entering the Promise Land. Now if you remember, the people were not the most righteous or right of heart. Looking back over their forty years we recall the golden calf, the rebellion of Korach, the allowance of the Midianite intermarriage, as well as a number of instances where they grumbled and complained. Yet, in all these areas, Adonai was still allowing them as a nation, entrance. So then, Adonai states boldly, “It is not because of your righteousness, or because your heart is so upright, that you go in to take possession of the land; but to punish the wickedness of these nations that Adonai your God is driving them out ahead of you, and also to confirm the word which Adonai swore to your ancestors, Avraham, Yitz’chak and Ya’akov.”
They were allowed entrance because of two reasons. One, the people who currently lived in the land were more wicked than what the people of Isra’el had been over the past forty years. And two, Adonai had made a promise to the fathers of the people. So then, in verse 6, He continues by saying again, “Therefore, understand that it not for your righteousness that Adonai your God is giving you this good land to possess. For you are a stiff-necked people!” This is the part I want to catch. This is the part I want us to consider. Are we stiff-necked?
Honestly, I had to look up this word. Going into the Hebrew I found the word defined as QASHEH, meaning hard, cruel, obstinate, or difficult. Adonai was making a point to inform these people that they were hard to work with. In many cases, they argued with His anointed, disobeyed His commands, and fought against His ways. Am I describing anyone out there? I know for a fact I am describing myself. If it had not been for the fact that He had made a promise, and that those already in the land were worse, then I have to assume based on these words that Adonai would have forbid Isra’el to enter.
I look at my own life. My life has been botched up with sin, disobedience, and flat out rebellion toward His Word. Yet, He calls me. He calls me to minister to His people. At a young age He called me with a promise, stating that I would be a minister. But I have been stiff-necked. My right deeds, or lack of them, do not equal the opportunity to receive His promise. Still, one day it will happen. The question maybe more so then is will I continue to be stiff-necked? I do not want to be. I want to be in His will, obeying all His commands, and moving in His ways.
Adonai, I pray you show me all the ways in which I have been stiff-necked, so that I can even now begin to change. I repent for my stiff-necked behavior.
Deuteronomy 9:4-29
Thursday, August 9, 2012
IN THE WILDERNESS
"He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you."
Deuteronomy 8:15-16
My son was an avid viewer of the Discovery channel show, Man vs. Wild. As I wanted to spend some time with him one night, I decided to sit on the couch with him and watch an episode. In this account, the man was dropped out a plane in the remote Australian outback. His chore then was to live off the land until he found his way to civilization. Depending on the episode, this adventure normally consists of about two to three days in the wild.
As he made his way toward the coast, he fell upon a series of mountainous rocks and cliffs. Hoping from one ledge to another, he then came to a hidden cave where he found sitting water. By using charcoal that he had found in what looked like the remnant of a lightning strike, he was able to filter the water before finding it fit to drink. Going forward, however, he also found himself having to watch out for crocodiles, water snakes, and plenty of other challenges. In the end, the adventure led him through the desert and back to a place of green lush and civilization.
For a few days now, I have been feeling like I too was in a place like this desert; my own wilderness so to say. Although recently Adonai had been talking to me and blessing me, I have found myself more so questioning now if He is still aware of me. This is a feeling that many have had I am sure. David expressed it in Psalm 23:4 when he referred to the valley of the shadow of death, and the Isra’elites lived through a physical wilderness for forty years on their journey to the Promised Land. But they all had one thing in common. They all were led through.
When Isra’el was receiving the second law in Deuteronomy, Moshe reminded the people what they had come through. The nation of Isra’el had suffered the desert. Following the passing of the Red Sea, Adonai allowed water to gush out of a rock. When the snakes plagued the people, Adonai provided a healing method in their looking at the snake statue. Adonai had allowed the people to have food to eat in the form of manna and quail, so as to not let them die of starvation. In all these tests, however, one thing was consistent. Deuteronomy 8:15 shares this truth - Adonai led them through. He didn't just leave them in the desert, he brought them through.
Perhaps like me, you have found yourself in that same place. You feel like you are in the wilderness and are not sure when the exit will come or where it lies. But I want to encourage you with the same words that He has shown me recently. Adonai will lead you through. His desire is for your good fortune (Jer 29:11). Good fortune does not end with death in the desert, just as our adventurer was not stranded and left for dead in Australia. Therefore, there will be a day when you will no longer find yourself in the desert. The relief could come tomorrow, or it could come forty days from now. Until it comes, though, let us not give up or grow weary as we wait.
Deuteronomy 8:11 – 9:3
Deuteronomy 8:15-16
My son was an avid viewer of the Discovery channel show, Man vs. Wild. As I wanted to spend some time with him one night, I decided to sit on the couch with him and watch an episode. In this account, the man was dropped out a plane in the remote Australian outback. His chore then was to live off the land until he found his way to civilization. Depending on the episode, this adventure normally consists of about two to three days in the wild.
As he made his way toward the coast, he fell upon a series of mountainous rocks and cliffs. Hoping from one ledge to another, he then came to a hidden cave where he found sitting water. By using charcoal that he had found in what looked like the remnant of a lightning strike, he was able to filter the water before finding it fit to drink. Going forward, however, he also found himself having to watch out for crocodiles, water snakes, and plenty of other challenges. In the end, the adventure led him through the desert and back to a place of green lush and civilization.
For a few days now, I have been feeling like I too was in a place like this desert; my own wilderness so to say. Although recently Adonai had been talking to me and blessing me, I have found myself more so questioning now if He is still aware of me. This is a feeling that many have had I am sure. David expressed it in Psalm 23:4 when he referred to the valley of the shadow of death, and the Isra’elites lived through a physical wilderness for forty years on their journey to the Promised Land. But they all had one thing in common. They all were led through.
When Isra’el was receiving the second law in Deuteronomy, Moshe reminded the people what they had come through. The nation of Isra’el had suffered the desert. Following the passing of the Red Sea, Adonai allowed water to gush out of a rock. When the snakes plagued the people, Adonai provided a healing method in their looking at the snake statue. Adonai had allowed the people to have food to eat in the form of manna and quail, so as to not let them die of starvation. In all these tests, however, one thing was consistent. Deuteronomy 8:15 shares this truth - Adonai led them through. He didn't just leave them in the desert, he brought them through.
Perhaps like me, you have found yourself in that same place. You feel like you are in the wilderness and are not sure when the exit will come or where it lies. But I want to encourage you with the same words that He has shown me recently. Adonai will lead you through. His desire is for your good fortune (Jer 29:11). Good fortune does not end with death in the desert, just as our adventurer was not stranded and left for dead in Australia. Therefore, there will be a day when you will no longer find yourself in the desert. The relief could come tomorrow, or it could come forty days from now. Until it comes, though, let us not give up or grow weary as we wait.
Deuteronomy 8:11 – 9:3
BECOMING WISE SHEEP
“If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers.”
Deuteronomy 7:12
Sheep are prone to follow the leader, whoever it is, to wherever that leader goes. In many cases this following can end in disaster, therefore showing the extent of their need. A shepherd comes to the sheep at a young age to train the sheep to his voice. As we examine this in accordance to John 10:27, we see that we too are sheep in need of direction to prevent us from making mistakes and getting into problems. We too need to heed the voice of the shepherd, the good Shepherd. It is His voice that we are to listen for and obey. However, it is His voice that we so many times ignore until it is too late. My goal today is to show you two specific examples of this ignorance and how they hurt the lives of those who did not listen, not as a method to scare you into submission, but rather as a way to point out the importance of listening to the Shepherd.
We start with Solomon. The Bible records that Solomon became the smartest person, both ever to have lived and ever to live (I Kings 3:12). Solomon’s wisdom was a result of Adonai questioning what it was Solomon wanted now that he was king. Rather than asking for riches or vengeance, Solomon asked for wisdom. “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? (I Kings 3:9)” Adonai granted this request because Solomon asked with a pure heart. However, the granting came with a requirement. In I Kings 3:14, Adonai’s response was, “And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” In essence, Solomon’s life was pending upon the fact that he obeyed Adonai. In the beginning of his life he did this; serving Adonai even by building Him a temple. Yet as Solomon’s reign continued, he began to slip out of obedience. It is recorded that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and as not all of them were followers after the one true God, he then began to follow the gods of the women. By not obeying solely the ways of Adonai as he was warned, Solomon’s kingdom was divided following his death (I Kings 11:9-13).
Let us next travel back further in time, though, and look at the life of Israel’s first king. It was Saul who stood out a head and shoulders above the rest and was granted the throne (I Sam 10:23-24). It was Saul who Adonai used to save the city of Jabesh (I Sam 11). And it was Saul who led the army of Israel against the Amalekites. With this battle came the order from Adonai to totally destroy everything of the Amalekites, including men, women, children, infants, cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys. Nothing was to have been left living (I Kings 15:3). Saul heard this order, but did not fully complete it. Leaving the king and animals alive, Saul boasted in a job well done. However, partial obedience is still disobedience, and for this Saul paid the price. When the prophet Samuel came to the battlefield and saw the living things, he spoke the words of Adonai to Saul which left Saul rejected as king.
Again, I share these stories not as a way of scaring you into submission, but rather as an urge to heeding Adonai’s voice. If we truly are the His sheep, are we listening and obeying? I am pretty sure that both Solomon and Saul heard the instructions, just as we do also. So then maybe the true question is in our obedience. Are we obeying the Shepherd? I would hate to die only to find out that I lived my life as an ignorant sheep who refused to listen to the shepherd. So it is with this thought that I want to make a change in my own life. In reading the Bible this week, my eyes landed on Deuteronomy 7:12, which reads, “If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers.” I want this to be said of me. I want to know that because I, Daniel, paid attention to Adonai’s laws and was careful to follow them, He kept His covenant of love with me as He promised. I no longer want to be a dumb sheep; I want to be one who hears and obeys my Shepherd.
Deuteronomy 7:12 – 8:10
Deuteronomy 7:12
Sheep are prone to follow the leader, whoever it is, to wherever that leader goes. In many cases this following can end in disaster, therefore showing the extent of their need. A shepherd comes to the sheep at a young age to train the sheep to his voice. As we examine this in accordance to John 10:27, we see that we too are sheep in need of direction to prevent us from making mistakes and getting into problems. We too need to heed the voice of the shepherd, the good Shepherd. It is His voice that we are to listen for and obey. However, it is His voice that we so many times ignore until it is too late. My goal today is to show you two specific examples of this ignorance and how they hurt the lives of those who did not listen, not as a method to scare you into submission, but rather as a way to point out the importance of listening to the Shepherd.
We start with Solomon. The Bible records that Solomon became the smartest person, both ever to have lived and ever to live (I Kings 3:12). Solomon’s wisdom was a result of Adonai questioning what it was Solomon wanted now that he was king. Rather than asking for riches or vengeance, Solomon asked for wisdom. “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? (I Kings 3:9)” Adonai granted this request because Solomon asked with a pure heart. However, the granting came with a requirement. In I Kings 3:14, Adonai’s response was, “And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” In essence, Solomon’s life was pending upon the fact that he obeyed Adonai. In the beginning of his life he did this; serving Adonai even by building Him a temple. Yet as Solomon’s reign continued, he began to slip out of obedience. It is recorded that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and as not all of them were followers after the one true God, he then began to follow the gods of the women. By not obeying solely the ways of Adonai as he was warned, Solomon’s kingdom was divided following his death (I Kings 11:9-13).
Let us next travel back further in time, though, and look at the life of Israel’s first king. It was Saul who stood out a head and shoulders above the rest and was granted the throne (I Sam 10:23-24). It was Saul who Adonai used to save the city of Jabesh (I Sam 11). And it was Saul who led the army of Israel against the Amalekites. With this battle came the order from Adonai to totally destroy everything of the Amalekites, including men, women, children, infants, cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys. Nothing was to have been left living (I Kings 15:3). Saul heard this order, but did not fully complete it. Leaving the king and animals alive, Saul boasted in a job well done. However, partial obedience is still disobedience, and for this Saul paid the price. When the prophet Samuel came to the battlefield and saw the living things, he spoke the words of Adonai to Saul which left Saul rejected as king.
Again, I share these stories not as a way of scaring you into submission, but rather as an urge to heeding Adonai’s voice. If we truly are the His sheep, are we listening and obeying? I am pretty sure that both Solomon and Saul heard the instructions, just as we do also. So then maybe the true question is in our obedience. Are we obeying the Shepherd? I would hate to die only to find out that I lived my life as an ignorant sheep who refused to listen to the shepherd. So it is with this thought that I want to make a change in my own life. In reading the Bible this week, my eyes landed on Deuteronomy 7:12, which reads, “If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers.” I want this to be said of me. I want to know that because I, Daniel, paid attention to Adonai’s laws and was careful to follow them, He kept His covenant of love with me as He promised. I no longer want to be a dumb sheep; I want to be one who hears and obeys my Shepherd.
Deuteronomy 7:12 – 8:10
Saturday, August 4, 2012
SH'MA ISRA’EL
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts."
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
Sh'ma Israel, Adonai Eloheynu, Adonai echad
Deuteronomy 6 opens with Moses delivering to the people of Israel the words of God as they were about to enter into the Promised Land. As Moses would not be allowed to go into the Promise himself, he made sure that those who did would know God's commands. Moses also charged the people of Israel to pass these words down to their children, and children's children, but more importantly, to fully obey God so that they could walk in God's blessings. In this charge we read the Sh'ma.
In the Jewish culture, the Sh'ma is placed within a m'zuzah and affixed to the door frame. The term "m'zuzah" itself means door frame in Hebrew. The message within the box is powerful, but the message of the box is just as bold in that it shares with all who see it that inside that house is one who honors God and is dedicated to his service. Tracing back to the roots of this custom, the door frame was a place that portrayed ones identity. This then seems to shed light on why forty years earlier God commanded Israel to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to the door frame. The blood marked those who were dedicated to God.
There is no reference or story within the New Testament of the m'zuzah itself, but the message of the Sh'ma was referenced by Jesus. In Mark 12:28-34, Jesus is approached and asked which commandment is the greatest. Jesus responds with the same words Moses delivered. And then, to bring clarity, Jesus speaks that the greatest is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and the second is to love your neighbor.
Here we are, years later, and those words of Jesus still ring true for us. God is not into competition as He commands us to have no other gods before Him (Ex 20). And in the words penned by David in Psalm 51, He is not into sacrifice as instead He demands our obedience. So what can we offer to God as a testament to Him and to others that we are devoted? I see no other option or privilege than to love God with ALL that is in me; my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let us hear, O Israel, the commandments God has given us upon our hearts.
Deuteronomy 6:4-25
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
Sh'ma Israel, Adonai Eloheynu, Adonai echad
Deuteronomy 6 opens with Moses delivering to the people of Israel the words of God as they were about to enter into the Promised Land. As Moses would not be allowed to go into the Promise himself, he made sure that those who did would know God's commands. Moses also charged the people of Israel to pass these words down to their children, and children's children, but more importantly, to fully obey God so that they could walk in God's blessings. In this charge we read the Sh'ma.
In the Jewish culture, the Sh'ma is placed within a m'zuzah and affixed to the door frame. The term "m'zuzah" itself means door frame in Hebrew. The message within the box is powerful, but the message of the box is just as bold in that it shares with all who see it that inside that house is one who honors God and is dedicated to his service. Tracing back to the roots of this custom, the door frame was a place that portrayed ones identity. This then seems to shed light on why forty years earlier God commanded Israel to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to the door frame. The blood marked those who were dedicated to God.
There is no reference or story within the New Testament of the m'zuzah itself, but the message of the Sh'ma was referenced by Jesus. In Mark 12:28-34, Jesus is approached and asked which commandment is the greatest. Jesus responds with the same words Moses delivered. And then, to bring clarity, Jesus speaks that the greatest is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and the second is to love your neighbor.
Here we are, years later, and those words of Jesus still ring true for us. God is not into competition as He commands us to have no other gods before Him (Ex 20). And in the words penned by David in Psalm 51, He is not into sacrifice as instead He demands our obedience. So what can we offer to God as a testament to Him and to others that we are devoted? I see no other option or privilege than to love God with ALL that is in me; my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let us hear, O Israel, the commandments God has given us upon our hearts.
Deuteronomy 6:4-25
IN YOUR HEARING
“Then Moshe called to all Isra’el and said to them, ‘Listen, Isra’el, to the laws and rulings which I am announcing in your hearing today, so that you will learn them and take care to obey them.’”
Deuteronomy 5:1
Before the people went out to inherit the land, Adonai brought forth the law once more, as was first given at Horev. With this re-hearing, now being heard by the younger generation, the mitzvoth were repeated. The command to not have other gods or idols before Adonai was restated, as well as the command to honor Shabbat, honor parents, and not to use Adonai’s name in vain. Murder, stealing, adultery, false witness, and coveting were also banned. These words, heard again by all, came from the fire cloud. The fact that they heard the voice of Adonai in the fire cloud served as witness that Adonai did speak with humans and they were not consumed (5:21). In the end it was reiterated to the people that obedience to Adonai’s commands, without a deviation to the right or left, would secure long life and possession of the land.
Deuteronomy 4:41-49
Deuteronomy 5:1-18
Deuteronomy 5:19 – 6:3
Deuteronomy 5:1
Before the people went out to inherit the land, Adonai brought forth the law once more, as was first given at Horev. With this re-hearing, now being heard by the younger generation, the mitzvoth were repeated. The command to not have other gods or idols before Adonai was restated, as well as the command to honor Shabbat, honor parents, and not to use Adonai’s name in vain. Murder, stealing, adultery, false witness, and coveting were also banned. These words, heard again by all, came from the fire cloud. The fact that they heard the voice of Adonai in the fire cloud served as witness that Adonai did speak with humans and they were not consumed (5:21). In the end it was reiterated to the people that obedience to Adonai’s commands, without a deviation to the right or left, would secure long life and possession of the land.
Deuteronomy 4:41-49
Deuteronomy 5:1-18
Deuteronomy 5:19 – 6:3
BUT IF FROM THERE...
"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul."
Deuteronomy 4:29
I first found this verse when I was going through counseling for my pornography addiction. In the scriptures surrounding this verse, Moses is speaking concerning idolatry (Deut 4:15-31). Moses told the Israelites that later in life, when they were established and living in the Promised Land, that if they became corrupt and made idols that angered God, there was still an answer. The answer was if from there.
It is safe to say in my life that I had made an idol out of women and sex. So when I read this verse for the first time years ago, I was instantly convicted. Here I was, a Christian by title, but not by lifestyle. I was just like the Israelites, living in the Promised Land but not serving the God who brought me there. With everyday that passed I dove deeper and deeper into my sin, and swore my allegiance daily to my idol.
"But if from there..." A great hope is in these words. God knows we are going to sin. It breaks His heart when we do, but He knows we are not perfect. Isn't that why He died for us? Because of His love He could not stand to see us going astray without hope. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us..." I John 3:16. The word that Moses shared with all of the Israelites that day is still the same today. We are all sinners, BUT IF FROM THERE. We all have made something an idol in our life, BUT IF FROM THERE. We all have disobeyed, BUT IF FROM THERE. These words hold promise that we have been given a second chance.
For me, my BUT IF FROM THERE moment came when in reading these words. I was able to see my idol for what is was. My heart was broken and confession was made. The verse, however, continues with what we must do. "...you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul." I had to turn away from my idol and seek God; seek His ways with my heart and soul. I had to call to Him for His strength because daily that idol called back to me, inviting me to come back. I can honestly say it was not an easy fight. Some days were a step forward, and some days were a step back. Being involved in idol worship for so long does not always change overnight. But I am happy to say today, that serving God is so rewarding. And I write to you as a man free from addiction and idolatry.
I am not sure what idols you are serving, but I know the way out. BUT IF FROM THERE... I challenge you to take inventory of your life. Are you serving an idol? God is a jealous God, and He will not settle for second place in our lives. Maybe like me, you eyes are opened with this passage and you are ready to move from there.
Deuteronomy 3:23 – 4:4
Deuteronomy 4:5-40
Deuteronomy 4:29
I first found this verse when I was going through counseling for my pornography addiction. In the scriptures surrounding this verse, Moses is speaking concerning idolatry (Deut 4:15-31). Moses told the Israelites that later in life, when they were established and living in the Promised Land, that if they became corrupt and made idols that angered God, there was still an answer. The answer was if from there.
It is safe to say in my life that I had made an idol out of women and sex. So when I read this verse for the first time years ago, I was instantly convicted. Here I was, a Christian by title, but not by lifestyle. I was just like the Israelites, living in the Promised Land but not serving the God who brought me there. With everyday that passed I dove deeper and deeper into my sin, and swore my allegiance daily to my idol.
"But if from there..." A great hope is in these words. God knows we are going to sin. It breaks His heart when we do, but He knows we are not perfect. Isn't that why He died for us? Because of His love He could not stand to see us going astray without hope. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us..." I John 3:16. The word that Moses shared with all of the Israelites that day is still the same today. We are all sinners, BUT IF FROM THERE. We all have made something an idol in our life, BUT IF FROM THERE. We all have disobeyed, BUT IF FROM THERE. These words hold promise that we have been given a second chance.
For me, my BUT IF FROM THERE moment came when in reading these words. I was able to see my idol for what is was. My heart was broken and confession was made. The verse, however, continues with what we must do. "...you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul." I had to turn away from my idol and seek God; seek His ways with my heart and soul. I had to call to Him for His strength because daily that idol called back to me, inviting me to come back. I can honestly say it was not an easy fight. Some days were a step forward, and some days were a step back. Being involved in idol worship for so long does not always change overnight. But I am happy to say today, that serving God is so rewarding. And I write to you as a man free from addiction and idolatry.
I am not sure what idols you are serving, but I know the way out. BUT IF FROM THERE... I challenge you to take inventory of your life. Are you serving an idol? God is a jealous God, and He will not settle for second place in our lives. Maybe like me, you eyes are opened with this passage and you are ready to move from there.
Deuteronomy 3:23 – 4:4
Deuteronomy 4:5-40
HEAD NORTH
“’You have been going around this mountain long enough! Head north, …”
Deuteronomy 2:3
Have you ever felt as though you have just been going around and around, but never really going anywhere? Surly I am not the only one who has been there. But if you have been there and can sympathize, then perhaps you will enjoy this next part of the scripture. To the people of Isra’el who had come out from under four hundred years of bondage in Egypt, and forty years of wandering in the desert, Adonai finally gave the command they were waiting for. Adonai spoke to them to head north. Their wanderings had gone on long enough; the sentence of punishment for the actions of the spies had finally been paid in full. Now, Adonai had agreed with the people that they had been going around the same mountain for too long.
As I was reading this portion, and this verse specifically, I felt Adonai speaking to me. How many times have I been in the same position, wandering aimlessly around the same mountain? Now while the Isra’elites wandered as punishment for their belief in the negative report of the ten spies, my wanderings have been for a different reason. In both cases, though, the underlining reason is due to sin. Isra’el sinned when they believed man’s word over Adonai’s. I sinned when I stepped out from under Adonai’s command in the attempt to do what I wanted to do as opposed to what He wanted me to do.
Yet to both the people of Isra’el and to myself, Adonai spoke the same message. “’You have been going around this mountain long enough! Head north, …” The time of wandering is done. In truth, if the people had listened to Adonai’s word as said by Joshua and Caleb, as opposed to the other ten spies, the Torah might have a different and quicker ending. The account of their journey would have been forty years less. The same is true in my situation. While I am not forty years old yet, the truth of the matter is I wandered around my own mountain way too long.
So what is the command Adonai gave? It was to head north. When I think of heading north my original thought is looking heavenward. I relate it to focusing on Him. Think of this with me. “’You have been going around this mountain long enough! Look upon me, …” How do we move from focusing on what is right in front of us, consuming us and our attention, to focusing on that which we are supposed to be looking at? The answer is in heading north, or better yet, fixing our head north. Until our gaze is on Him as opposed to anything else, then we will only be going around and around the same mountain.
Our destiny is the Promise Land. The Promise Land, however, cannot be reached if we continue to circle the same mountain. Our fate, though, is that unless we change our view we are destined only to follow what is in front of us. So then, wouldn’t you agree that the time to stop circling the mountain is now? If so, then let us fix our eyes on Adonai and His higher ways. Let us head north.
Deuteronomy 2:2-30
Deuteronomy 2:31 – 3:14
Deuteronomy 3:15-22
Deuteronomy 2:3
Have you ever felt as though you have just been going around and around, but never really going anywhere? Surly I am not the only one who has been there. But if you have been there and can sympathize, then perhaps you will enjoy this next part of the scripture. To the people of Isra’el who had come out from under four hundred years of bondage in Egypt, and forty years of wandering in the desert, Adonai finally gave the command they were waiting for. Adonai spoke to them to head north. Their wanderings had gone on long enough; the sentence of punishment for the actions of the spies had finally been paid in full. Now, Adonai had agreed with the people that they had been going around the same mountain for too long.
As I was reading this portion, and this verse specifically, I felt Adonai speaking to me. How many times have I been in the same position, wandering aimlessly around the same mountain? Now while the Isra’elites wandered as punishment for their belief in the negative report of the ten spies, my wanderings have been for a different reason. In both cases, though, the underlining reason is due to sin. Isra’el sinned when they believed man’s word over Adonai’s. I sinned when I stepped out from under Adonai’s command in the attempt to do what I wanted to do as opposed to what He wanted me to do.
Yet to both the people of Isra’el and to myself, Adonai spoke the same message. “’You have been going around this mountain long enough! Head north, …” The time of wandering is done. In truth, if the people had listened to Adonai’s word as said by Joshua and Caleb, as opposed to the other ten spies, the Torah might have a different and quicker ending. The account of their journey would have been forty years less. The same is true in my situation. While I am not forty years old yet, the truth of the matter is I wandered around my own mountain way too long.
So what is the command Adonai gave? It was to head north. When I think of heading north my original thought is looking heavenward. I relate it to focusing on Him. Think of this with me. “’You have been going around this mountain long enough! Look upon me, …” How do we move from focusing on what is right in front of us, consuming us and our attention, to focusing on that which we are supposed to be looking at? The answer is in heading north, or better yet, fixing our head north. Until our gaze is on Him as opposed to anything else, then we will only be going around and around the same mountain.
Our destiny is the Promise Land. The Promise Land, however, cannot be reached if we continue to circle the same mountain. Our fate, though, is that unless we change our view we are destined only to follow what is in front of us. So then, wouldn’t you agree that the time to stop circling the mountain is now? If so, then let us fix our eyes on Adonai and His higher ways. Let us head north.
Deuteronomy 2:2-30
Deuteronomy 2:31 – 3:14
Deuteronomy 3:15-22
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