Deuteronomy 30

God sets life and death right in front of them. All they have to do is choose life, but they’ll eventually choose death. God, in His graciousness, will give them life again.

Thought for the day: Just like He does to us!

Luke 15:11-32 (WEB) “He said, ‘A certain man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me my share of your property.” So he divided his livelihood between them. Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and travelled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living. When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need. He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any. But when he came to himself, he said, “How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.’ ” He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.” Then they began to celebrate. Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants to him and asked what was going on. He said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.” But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and begged him. But he answered his father, “Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.” He said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.” ‘ “

Deuteronomy 29

Being a child of the covenant is a very serious thing. Taking the oath is both personal and national. You can’t expect to do evil and be blessed personally just because the nation itself is experiencing blessing. And when the nation is cursed and becomes like Sodom and Gomorrah, what will future generations and other nations think? They’ll know it’s because of Israel’s idolatry and their forsaking of the covenant.

Verse 29 shows that, while much of God’s work is hidden and the future is unknown, God reveals what He wants His people to do in the present, and the nation’s task is to do His will!

Thought for the day: Although we don’t know the day or time of Jesus’ return, we do know that He is coming back. Our job is to work while we wait!

Matthew 24:45-46 (WEB) “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes.”

Deuteronomy 28

If Israel obeys God, they’ll be blessed and will be a testimony to the nations (28:10). If they disobey then they’ll be a different kind of example. There are several facts presented here that are prophecies about the future. They will have a king. They will be defeated. They will be taken into captivity. They will be scattered. They will be decimated and humiliated. Although not mentioned here, there is hope for the future. There is a promise of return (30:1-5)!

Thought for the day: We have a promise and a hope as well, all because of Jesus Christ. As a result, we should endeavor to live for God!

Titus 2:11-14 (WEB) “or the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.”

Deuteronomy 27

The nation was called to participate in one last significant reminder of their covenant relationship with God. After they cross the Jordan, they are supposed to set up a monument and then engage in a ceremony. That ceremony was to remind them that obeying God brings blessing and that refusing to obey brings trouble!

Thought for the day: God promises us blessings too, but we won’t experience those blessings if we don’t follow.

Galatians 5:22-23 (WEB) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control.”

Ephesians 4:30 (WEB) “Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Deuteronomy 26

The law for Israel is pretty much the same for us here. Giving is a sign of obedience and gratitude. When we recognize everything that God has done for us, we respond by giving to His kingdom and His causes, which includes both the church and the poor.

Thought for the day: As God’s special people, we should realize that it is a joy and a privilege to obey Him.

John 15:10-11 (WEB) “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

Deuteronomy 25

Additional laws to remember:

• Corporal discipline of criminals has a limit.
• Make sure you reward work.
• Progeny and carrying on the family name are important.
• There are certain things you don’t do or touch!
• Ethical selling and trading practices are a must.
• Be wary of others who have treated you badly.

Thought for the day: Forgiveness entails both a heart inclined to forgive and the possible restoration of relationship. The first part is something we should always practice, while the second part requires something from the offending party (which is why wariness sometimes continues to be a thing).

Luke 17:3-4 (WEB) “Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Deuteronomy 24

Granting a certificate of divorce was actually merciful. It allowed the woman to leave and granted her legal standing. In fact, many of these laws are merciful. You can stay away from war for a year if you are newly married (perhaps to have a child). You can’t take away something that someone uses to make a living. You shouldn’t oppress the poor legally or economically. You need to make sure that you leave something from your harvest for those who are less fortunate than you are. It’s even a mercy that you can’t be judged for someone else’s sin! And to receive mercy from God, you needed to make sure that you followed His commands.

Thought for the day: Showing mercy is an essential part of our walk and witness.

Matthew 5:7 (WEB) “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

Matthew 23:13 (WEB) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.”

James 1:27 (WEB) “Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

Deuteronomy 23

When the congregation came together for worship, there were certain safeguards in place. Those emasculated as a result of a pagan worship practice were excluded. Children who came about as a result of a “forbidden” union (perhaps an idolatrous one) were excluded. Those who were a part of cultures that hated Israel were excluded. However, those from nations who helped or were related in some way to Israel were allowed.

Ritual purity and cleanliness were also important, and the next few verses reflect that. But holiness is more than just keeping the body clean. It’s displaying grace (to slaves), not engaging in prostitution, not charging interest to countrymen, being truthful with vows, and not stealing from your neighbor.

Thought for the day: We tend to have a more open attitude to corporate worship, hoping to draw people to God/Christ. However, fellowship, or even church membership, could be seen in a different light.

1 Corinthians 5:11 (WEB) “But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don’t even eat with such a person.”

Deuteronomy 22

The call to holiness continues:

• Don’t steal from your neighbor.
• In fact, you should even help save his livestock when possible.
• There is a fundamental difference between men and women that should be recognized and preserved.
• Take care of your resources, whether it be land or birds!
• Try to make your property as safe as possible.
• Keep things in their place, whether seeds, livestock, or fabric.
• Make your garments distinct from the heathen nations around you.
• Sexual purity is important.
• Sex is for marriage.
• Rape is afforded the death penalty if a woman is betrothed. If she isn’t, then the man must take her as his wife forever.

Thought for the day: Much of what we read here is just common sense. Unfortunately, our society is much more cavalier with sexual purity, but Christians shouldn’t be.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (WEB) “For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God, that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.”