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DEUTERONOMY The following comments are from Navigator's and Quiet Time Diary journals. One verse will be entered, then the comment, then the date. 1:8 'See, I have placed the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to them and their descendants after them.' Before Moses begins on the second telling of God's Law, he reviews where the Israelites have been so far; now about to enter the promised land. As our (my) life continues, it's always good to review where I've been so far - so not to repeat past errors. (DRM 5/8/06) 1:26 "Yet you were not willing to go up [to the valley of Eshcol, v. 24], but rebelled against the command of the LORD your God; These people had short memories. How could they forget their deliverance from the Egyptians? Their unwillingness to follow His direction caused them more suffering. When God states that I should do something, there should be no questioning, just do it! (DRM 5/8/06) 1:30 The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt. Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit are all happy to support me when I'm down. I never have to worry or even think they will EVER leave me! (DRM 3/23/88) 1:43 "So I spoke to you, but you would not listen. Instead you rebelled against the command of the LORD, and acted presumptuously and went up into the hill country." Hearing God's voice can be very difficult! Our busy lifestyles or own determination keep us (me) so busy that I don't keep quiet long enough to hear the Holy Spirit's voice. Sometimes it's loud and clear, but other times require absolute silence - which we all need time to do! (DRM 5/9/06) 2:7a,b The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. Moses was reminding the Israelites how good the Lord had been to them - and it seems they needed reminding! Lord, let me always be thankful for all the gifts You have given me. (DRM 3/24/88) 3:21, 22 "And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, 'Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings; so the LORD shall do to all the kingdoms into which you are about to cross. 22Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you.' " It's so easy to just go my own way, and not consult God=Jesus. It's like asking God to bless my decisions - instead of listening for His. God directed this statement from Moses to Joshua. I also need God's direction. (DRM 5/10/06) 3:27 Go up to the top of (Mt.) Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross the Jordan. Moses knew that he would not be taking his people to the promised land. The Lord allowed him to go to the top of a nearby mountain. The Lord knows all. (DRM 3/25/88) 4:9 "Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them know to your sons and your grandsons." Moses wanted the Israelites to stay on track and remember all that they had seen while the Lord God provided for their needs. He wanted the parents to tell the children these things, so they wouldn't forget God's provisions. While I don't have children, I know that some parents share far more with their children than other parents do. (DRM 5/11/06) 4:15b and 16 Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, 16so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman. This was a verse that affected my whole faith many, many years ago. I still can not fathom why so many people in this country can worship idols and not know what they are doing! (DRM 3/26/88) 4:27 "And the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you shall be left few in number among the nations, where the LORD shall drive you." This section contains what I would call the prophecies of Moses. Israel has not yet crossed the Jordan River and Moses already is telling them that someday they will be driven out again - and in the latter days (v. 30) they will hear His voice and return again. The prophecy has been fulfilled, PTL. (DRM 5/12/06) 4:35 To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD, He is God; there is no other besides Him. Moses is reminding the Israelites (and us)
that they actually witnessed the acts and powers of God. The things they were
doing were NOT by "blind faith", but God was physically directing their way -
seen by His actions. 4:36 "Out of the heavens He let you hear His voice to discipline you; and on earth He let you see His great fire, and you heard His words from the midst of the fire." Moses continues his letter or speech to Israel - reminding them of all the things that God has done for them; to illustrate that they are His chosen nation. Still, after time, people seem to forget and go their own ways. God need to be an intimate part of our lives for us to stay devoted to Him. . . (DRM 5/13/06) 5:15 'And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day.' During the past 50 years, I have seen this commandment change from being the most observed to probably the least observed. It all changed in the 1960's and no one seemed to care. Fortunately for Christians, our trust is in Jesus for salvation, but the Law (I think) should still be kept as much as possible. (DRM 5/14/06) 5:27 'Go near and hear all that the LORD our God says; then speak to us all that the LORD our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it.' This quote is from the Israelites to Moses. It shows how quickly they changed from one side to the other. Lord, don't let me sit on a fence and change sides, but rather always be on Your side, and pleasing to You. (DRM 5/15/06) 5:32 So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Deuteronomy 5 contains the TEN COMMANDMENTS which all should be followed to the letter. This verse is the best summary of the commands. Don't deviate, don't be distracted by the world. Follow the commands. (DRM 3/27/88) 6:3 O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. This is referring to the Law - or "His
statutes and His Commandments" (v. 2). The Lord doesn't want us to listen to the
Law, but to obey it. Scripture often describes the Promised Land as "a land flowing with milk and honey" ( v. 3; 11:9; 26:9,15; 27:3; 31:20), a phrase first used by God in Exodus 3:8. This is poetic language for a "rich and fertile land" (Deut. 6:3 Good News Bible), for large herds producing milk, and for fruit trees, which give "honey" (not bee honey but the thick syrup produced from dates). — Sim Kay Tee (Insight from Our Daily Bread, Radio Bible Class) 6:5 "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your strength." Sounds familiar! Now to practice this verse . . . Do I really love God? Can I talk to Him? Does He listen to me? As I progress in the Christian life, I can hope that I will still love God in my trials as when I am well and can praise Him. (DRM 9/7/87) In Matt. 22:36-38 Jesus said this is the great and foremost commandment, and its a good summary of what is needed for salvation. To trust totally in Jesus is to love Him and want to please Him in any way possible in appreciation for the gift of salvation that He has given to us. (DRM 5/16/06) 6:23 'and He brought us out from there [Egypt] in order to bring us in, to give us the land which He had sworn to our fathers.' Moses continues to tell the Israelites to remember where they have been and to worship the Lord God as their survival depends on it (v.24). We all need to worship and depend on the Lord=Jesus to reach our ultimate goal - Heaven. (DRM 5/17/06) 7:5 This is what you are to do to them: Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols in the fire. Sometimes I feel that I would really like to do this to my obvious enemies, however with Jesus in my heart, I think the best thing for me to do is love even my enemies with the hope that they will get to know Him through me. (DRM 3/28/88) 8:4 "Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years." This could be a preview of what it will be like in Heaven. We won't get sick (foot swell) and our bodies won't change (clothing did not wear out). God will be our provider there - and in most ways He is also our provider here - if we choose to follow Him. (DRM 5/18/06) 8:10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. This is a great Thanksgiving verse — a few
days early. So often I just eat and never realize the amount of work involved in
producing the food that we eat. 8:11 Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; Israel was just about to enter their new land
and this chapter shows God's promises on what they will find there. 8:19 "And it shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God, and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you shall surely perish." I can't think how I could clarify this verse. God wants the Israelites (and us) to worship ONLY Him. Apparently not many take this Book and verse seriously - but let me be an exception - and worship my God=Jesus, and Him only. (DRM 5/19/06) 9:5 "It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God is driving them out before you in order to confirm the oath which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Just in case you thought you deserved this land, God wanted to remind the Israelites that they did many things to provoke Him on the journey. The point is that the other nations they were entering were even worse. God does not want any pride or self-confidence. He wants our dependence on Him. (DRM 5/20/06) 9:7b . . . From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the Lord. This is a great summary verse of the whole chapter. I should learn not to be rebellious against the Lord, as He can certainly make me regret any wrong decisions that are made against His will. (DRM 3/29/88) 9:25 "So I fell down before the LORD the forty days and nights, which I did because the LORD had said He would destroy you." I've watched too many movies, or forgot this part. The Israelites had made the golden calf, then God wanted to destroy them all. Moses pleaded with God for these forty days before he got an answer. The USA society and I admit that I usually want an answer "now" - and I need patience to hear from God. (DRM 5/21/06) 10:2 I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Then you are to put them in the chest. God was certainly gracious to write the tablets a second time for Moses! God is also gracious to us, by His salvation and caring for our daily needs. (DRM 3/31/88) 10:8 At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him and to bless in His name until this day. The Israelites-Jews keep to tradition. Even though it has been thousands of years since this was written, some Jews have continued this tradition - at least in name. As Christians, we also can look at the person who led us to the Lord and see how the Lord Jesus has kept His family growing through the centuries. (DRM 5/22/06) 10:20, 21 "You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name." 21"He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen." God gave Moses these directives - which seem like a clear indication of what He wants from ALL believers in the one and only God. Like Israel's Exodus generation, it seems that 90% of all people have no trust or dependence on Him. I pray that I will continue to follow His narrow way - as directed here. (DRM 5/23/06) 11:8 "You shall therefore keep every commandment which I am commanding you today, so that you may be strong and go in and possess the land into which you are about to cross to possess it." This verse sounds like a directive, "You shall. . . " At least in today's society, people don't like to be told what they shall do, and want to choose to do on their own. Perhaps that's why Israel and today's society won't listen to God. He has our best interests in mind and we have to understand that. (DRM 5/24/06) 11:13 It shall come about, if you listen obediently to my commandments which I am commanding you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul, This makes me think of the "great
commandment" (Matt. 22:37) that Jesus spoke of. It's not exactly the same, but
close. 11:17 Then the Lord's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon parish from the good land the Lord is giving you. A topic of discussion at work TODAY (with a
co-worker) was if our current weather disaster was God's punishment to us. While
I don't think of it as a punishment, I do think of it as a sign of His strength
and power. 11:22, 23 "For if you are careful to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you, to do it, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him; 23then the LORD will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you." The Bible seems so clear - "if" you will do this, "then" I will do that. At times the Jewish people have tried to keep the Law and have seen His rewards, but not always, which is the Old Testament story. In some ways each life - like my own - follows the same pattern and needs occasional corrections to stay on track. (DRM 5/25/06) 12:32 See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it. This chapter dealt with obeying the laws that were previously written. When Israel took over a new city, they (Israelites) were instructed to destroy pagan temples, etc. (DRM 4/1/88) 13:4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. This chapter described being swayed by other people to believe in other gods - and the punishment they must receive. Lord, don't let me be swayed into believing in anything but YOU! (DRM 4/2/88) 14:2 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession. This was written by Moses to the Israelite people of the day. Thanks to Jesus Christ and His resurrection, I am one of His chosen people and I can never be too thankful! (DRM 4/3/88) 15:11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. How easy it is to ignore the poor people in this land of plenty. When I am asked to help the poor, I feel quite guilty and ashamed when I say no. Lord, let me find more time to help others in need! (DRM 4/4/88) 15:12 "If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, then he shall serve you six years, but in the seventh year you shall set him free." While I don't understand the reason for slavery in the Bible, this verse seemed a bit more limiting. In the seventh year the slave was free to leave. As believers, we could be considered slaves to Christ, but this is a good position to be in. (DRM 5/26/06) 16:3 Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste - so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt. This part of the 16th chapter of Deuteronomy deals with Passover as an Israeli feast. This applied to me because it is currently Passover, and we are eating Matzos nearly every day right now. (DRM 4/5/88) 16:7 And you shall cook and eat it in the place which the LORD your God chooses. And in the morning you are to return to your tents. This reference to the Passover meal is different from what I think occurs today. Apparently the Israelites ate this meal at the synagogue or anywhere but their home - tent. The Jews that I'm familiar with today eat Passover in homes, then sleep at home the same night. Times change. (DRM 5/27/06) 17:15 be sure to appoint over you the King the Lord your God chooses. He must be from among your own brothers. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not a brother Israelite. Who says politics and "religion" don't mix? God clearly stated, through Moses, that He has complete authority and it is He who tells us who to choose - if we ask Him. (DRM 4/6/88) 18:18 'I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.' This is another statement of God that was given through Moses. In the future He would speak through prophets. The prophets could be tested (v. 22) to see if they were from God. We can follow the same test today with people who claim to be prophets - telling us of future events. (DRM 5/28/06) 18:22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. Sometimes I wonder if "my" new ideas are really "mine" or if they come from God. Lord, help me to know when the thoughts that I have are truly from You! (DRM 4/7/88) 19:9b+ I command you today - to love the Lord your God and to walk always in his ways - then you are to set aside three more cities (of refuge). The command was what got my attention in this chapter. I must always walk in the way of the Lord and NOT be diverted. (DRM 4/8/88) 20:7 Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her. This chapter deals with "Going to War" and this verse seemed interesting to me. Now I understand how there were many marriages just before a man went to war - even in modern times. (DRM 4/9/88) 21:23a . . .you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse. This could be another prophetic verse about the Lord Jesus Christ. While Jesus hung on a tree (cross), He was taking away the sins of the world. (DRM 4/10/88) 22:5 A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear woman's clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this. So easy said! In these "end times," it is hard to tell who is male and who is female sometimes. Thank God that I never had a desire to do this! (DRM 4/11/88) 23:15 If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand him over to his master. This verse makes me think of the U. S. Civil War and the "underground railroad." To think of just how many years that slavery was accepted is frightening. (DRM 4/12/88) 24:16 Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin. This verse reminded me of a verse in Psalm 103. We can not be responsible for the salvation of others or anything else. We must trust Him to provide everything. (DRM 4/13/88) 25:8b, 9 If he persists in saying, "I do not want to marry her," 9his brother's widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, take off one of his sandals, spit in his face and say, " This is what is done to the man who will not build up his brother's family line." This verse is referring to two brothers, and one brother dies where the other brother is unwilling to marry the widow. The Mosaic law is interesting and this spitting verse was fascinating to me. (DRM 4/14/88) 26:19 He has declared that he will set you (the Israelites) in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord . . . " The Israelites or Jews were the chosen people of the Old Testament. After Jesus died for the sins of ALL men, when we trust in Jesus, we are spiritual Jews. (DRM 4/15/88) 27:16 Cursed is the man who dishonors his father or his mother. This is one of the 12 curses listed in this chapter. This curse is similar to one of the 10 Commandments. Lord, help me to keep ALL Your commands! (DRM 4/16/88) 28:15 However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: This chapter showed many curses that the Lord can and has done to people in the past. I still believe that the Lord does provide trials for everyone to make them stronger in their dependence on Him. (DRM 4/17/88) 29:3, 4 . . . the great trials which your eyes have seen, those great signs and wonders. 4"Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear." The Israelites were still in the desert. If they didn't see the parting of the Red Sea, their parents did. Still, in their hearts, they didn't know God. Unfortunately this is STILL true for most of their descendents. We can show them the difference, but only the Holy Spirit can change their hearts. (DRM 5/29/06) 29:19, 20 When such a person hears the words of this oath (the Bible law), he invokes a blessing on himself and therefore thinks, "I will be safe . . . " 20The Lord will never be willing to forgive him. Overconfidence is not something that I feel
that I have concerning God's book, the Bible! 29:23 'All its land is brimstone and salt, a burning waste, unsown and unproductive, and no grass grows in it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His anger and in His wrath.' Apparently the land of Israel was a very fertile land when the Israelites arrived. This prediction of Moses was that the land would be a wasteland because of the Jews disobedience. When we turn from our God and depend on others (gods, money) our lives can also be a waste. (DRM 5/30/06) 30:9 "Then the LORD your God will prosper you abundantly in all the work of your hand, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your cattle and in the produce of your ground, for the LORD will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your fathers;" God, through Moses, had just promised the restoration of Israel "And you shall again obey the Lord, and observe all His commandments. . . " (v. 8) apparently in that order. I think this can also be taken personally - so long as I continue to depend only on Him. (DRM 5/31/06) 30:16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord . . . will bless you. . . The great assurance must be in the Bible in many ways and several times. I still love the words and hope that I may be a willing servant. (DRM 4/19/88) 31:6 "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." This quote of Moses tells the Israelites to be strong under Joshua's leadership, and not to fear, as the Lord God is with them. This is a great verse for me to take personally, as I need His direction daily. (DRM 6/1/06) 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. (Moses was dying and was instructing Joshua that he would succeed him.) Sometimes it seems that the Lord has forgotten me when things don't go "just right." It's always good to be encouraged that we KNOW, that no matter what, the Lord is with us! (DRM 3/21/87) 32:4 The Rock! His work is perfect, This is a great description of God - as told by Moses. He never makes a mistake. While I need more patience, He does everything in His own timing. I wouldn't still be writing these if He was done with me. He is truly my King. (DRM 6/2/06) 32:29 If only they were wise and would understand this and discern what their end will be! Why do unbelievers not believe? I remember myself not believing and how deceptive other people can be. Thank God for the Light of His word! (DRM 4/20/88) 33:29 Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you. . . The last public words of Moses telling the Israelites that they are the saved people. Thank you, God, that through Jesus Christ, I have been spiritually saved! (DRM 4/21/88) 34:6 And He [God or Jesus?] buried him [Moses] in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-poor; but no man knows his burial place to this day. Who buried Moses? I've never heard of God walking on the earth, so probably in was Jesus. In v.7 we are told that even though Moses was 120 years old, his eyes were still good and he still had vigor. How I pray that I will still have vigor and want to tell people about the Lord until my last day. (DRM 6/3/06) 34:10, 11a Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do. . . As it says in this verse, no one else has ever done all the signs and wonders that Moses did while he was alive — all thanks to the power of God! (DRM 4/22/88)
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