March 11, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Deuteronomy means "second law."  It records the second giving of the Law of Moses as he prepared the nation to enter their promised inheritance.  But Moses did more than simply repeat the Law to a new generation.  He applied it to their new life in the land and stressed the importance of their loving God and obeying Him from their heart.

Deuteronomy 1 - This chapter summarizes a lot of what happened to Israel from leaving Mt. Horeb (Sinai) to enduring the 40 years in the wilderness because of the unbelief and rebellion of the Israelites as they refused to enter the land of Canaan.  Please note verse 2, "It is eleven days journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea."  What was an eleven days journey to enter the Promised Land, the Israelites would take 40 long years to finally get there!  The importance of believing God is so vital for a believer to enjoy the promises of God!

Deuteronomy 2 - Moses records the journeys and conflicts the Israelites would face after they began marching once again.  Sometimes its good to rehearse your own history and review the lessons God taught you.  Some of those lessons need to be retaught and some new lessons need to be learned.  Our lives on earth are much like Israel's experience of God's promises and commandments to be believed and obeyed.  Then when we either disbelieve or disobey then we face consequences for our actions.  God chastises us and reminds us to "trust and obey" if we would enjoy our walk with Him.  The Old Testament gives abundant testimony to support this.