Sounds Bites From Deuteronomy

So this is way behind since I finished Deuteronomy almost two weeks ago, but since I've taken a break from reading its still pretty fresh in my mind.  I really need to get back on the reading wagon though and realized I've been unconsciously waiting to write this post before doing so (honestly its me procrastinating, either way I need to get it done!).

Considering it is mostly a recap of Exodus and Leviticus I was surprisingly refreshed in my reading of Deuteronomy and found myself reaching for my pen to underline more things than I expected!  I think the difference was that this is the highlights, with extra exhortation and encouragement, instead of the nitty gritty details (like the weight of the bronze in every. single. dish. in the tabernacle.  I understand our God is a God of detail, and this was His first house of worship, but still hard to read.).  

So here are my highlights and some thoughts on why I graffitied my Bible for them :)

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  And these words which I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.  You shall bind them as a sing on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."   ~Deuteronomy 6:4-9

The first thing that struck me about this passage is that Jesus quotes the first part during his ministry.  I found several veres like that throughout Deuteronomy and it served as a reminder that our God is the same God, whether Old or New Testament, whether at the beginning of time or today or ten years from now, our God is faithful to Himself and unchanging.  Second, this is a major verse homeschoolers use to support their decision to educate children at home.  It's pretty hard to constantly speak God's principles into your children if they are separated from you for the most productive part of the day, and if they are being taught things often contrary to God's word by others influencing them during that time.  Thirdly, it is a reminder of how vital it is to continually have God's precepts before us.  The father of Israel obviously failed at passing on God's word to their children, and disaster followed time and time again.  Oh that we could learn this and have God's word continually before our eyes, and more importantly, our hearts.

"It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery."  Deuteronomy 7:7-8

No merit of our own can recommend us to the Lord.  He loves us out of His own good will, and chooses to be faithful once that love has been set upon a certain people (or person).  Praise God!  Our security doesn't depend on our performance but on God's unfailing faithfulness!

"He will love you, bless you, and multiply you.  He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground... You shall be blessed above all peoples. There shall not be male or female barren among you or among your livestock."  Deuteronomy 7:13a and 14

Just a reminder that children are a blessing, one of the first blessings God pours out on those He loves.

"And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."  Deuteronomy 8:3

Cool context for the quote we most often hear from the New Testament.

"Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you."  Deuteronomy 16:17

Reinforcement of what we saw in Leviticus that the Lord doesn't want your financial state to impede your relationship with Him.  Like in Leviticus, when God provided alternate sacrifices for the poor, though God has an ideal standard for gifts, he doesn't want to break his people, or alienate them from him, with that standard.

"It is the Lord your God who goes before you.  He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed... And the Lord commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, 'Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land which I swore to give them.  I will be with you.'"  Deuteronomy 31:8-23

 I struggle with fear and trust issues with the Lord.  I like to think I am in control when really nothing but the opposite could be true.  As such these reminders of God's protection and provision resound strongly with me.

"And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face..."  Deuteronomy 34:10

"Whom the Lord knew face to face".  Wow.  Just think about it.  Moses spent so much time in the direct presence of God that he had to hide his face from the people because they were afraid of the reflected glory.  What must that have been like?  Well get excited, because some day we will find out!  Someday we will sit at God's feet and bask in that very glow which gave Moses his heavenly tan!