April 7, 2010; Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27, Luke 12:8-34, Psalms 78:32-55, Proverbs 12:21-23

Reflections on Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27

Great Assurance Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Moses is now 120 years old.  He was 40 when he killed the Egyptian and fled for his life.  He was 80 when he led the Hebrews away from Pharoah's bondage.  His siblings have died and he alone is left from his generation.  Caleb and Joshua are at least a generation younger.  Moses is no longer able to move about without help and the time has come to say good bye. 

There is no doubt in Moses dialogue of Deuteronomy that God has fought the battles and will continue to do so.  He encourages the people to put their faith in God as He is their strength and shield.  The writer of the Hebrews picked up on the surety Moses expressed regarding faith in God from verse 6.  He carries this message to represent the surety we have in God that cannot be found in wealth or human relationship.

Deuteronomy 31:6b "the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:4-6 "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'"(also see Psalm 118;6-7)

Following his encouragement of the people, Moses set Joshua before them as their leader and repeated his encouragement and summons to faith in the power and strength of the Lord. ""Be strong and courageous" (vs. 7)

Thanksgiving for Bountiful Harvest Deuteronomy 31:9-10

Deuteronomy 15:1 "At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts." With this financial cleansing of the community, Moses calls for a reading of the law at the coming together of the feast of booths in the 7th month.  This would take place in accordance with Sukkot, a time of great joy as they celebrated these 40 years in the Wilderness in the presence of God.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukkot This seven day festival is also known as the feast (festival) of tabernacles or ingathering or even feast or festival of the Lord. It is considered a Thanksgiving of sorts given the celebration of the bounty of the Harvest.  It begins following upon the full harvest moon on the 15th day of the 7th month of Tishrei which represents the New Year on the Hebrew Calendar. 

This was the first festival celebrated following the Babylonian captivity in Ezra 3:4 "Then in accordance with what is written, they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles with the required number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day." (see also Exodus 23:16, Numbers 29:12, Nehemiah 8:14, and Zechariah 14:16)

Just as firstfruits is now representated by Easter and celebrates the firstborn among many brethren, so the coming together of all men in the endtimes may well be represented in this festival of ingathering.  Zechariah's prophecy of Zechariah 14:16-19 "Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, they will have no rain. If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The Lord will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles."

Perhaps when the nations gather before God to hear the word of the Lord in Jerusalem in that ingathering of the souls of men, they shall forgive one another of their debts and thereby cleanse our world.

Kingdom Ambassadors and Education Deuteronomy 31:11-13

It is imperative that the world understand the Love of the Creator in order for them to function accordingly within His creation and with one another.  Understanding this Law in light of Jesus interpretation of "Love God + Love Man" we can realize that this indeed is the building block of the Kingdom of God of which Jesus Christ, the law made flesh, became the cornerstone.  This constitution has outlasted the kingdoms of men throughout history!  In God's eyes, it was not so much that the Israelites were forgotten and dispersed, it was His intention that they become the first Ambassadors in the purification of His Kingdom.  As His Ambassadors today, it is not our duty to divide men, but to unify them. 

This law must be read in this light (do unto others as you would have them do unto you) throughout our world in every classroom, to all of our children.  We must find our moral center, our creator and sustainer, and seek out Love, Joy, and Peace through Him.  We must learn that in order to honor Him and stand in awe of His Love we must honor and Love our fellowman.

Dilutions of Holiness Deuteronomy 31:14-22

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:3 "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."

Genesis 1:27 "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

Genesis 1:31a "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."

Exodus 20:1 "And God spoke all these words: 'I am the Lord your God'"

I John 3:11 "This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another."

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8diy8_a-special-valentine-the-more-i-seek_music Happy Valentine's Day

I John 4:19-21 "We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

Genesis 4:6-7 "the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.'"

John 1:4-5 "In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."

I John 1:5-7 "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

Prophets claim to speak the word of God.  Moses and Jesus had access to our Creator uncommon to man.  As Moses had reached his end of days on earth, God knew that the purity of His message would be diluted.  He is fully aware that man has a history to choose evil over good. (see Genesis 3:6 and consider the concept of d'evil/G'od).  Unfortunately, the same scenario occured after the world heard the words of Jesus!  He spoke of love, forgiveness, and unity - yet His followers represent a multitude of factions and divisions among men.  His words of peace have been scrutinized and discarded as men have gone to war with one another, justifying dilussions of holiness.

The Creator knew of our weakness which was already brewing in the Israelite's hearts as they prepared to enter the promised land.  He knew of their coming failure and He gave them a constitution through Moses that outlasted their children's children and still exists today through the books of the Torah and the Bible including this song He gave Moses to keep us all on track.

Having thus documented his service and witness before men of our Almighty God, Moses witnessed God's choice and commission of his successor, Joshua.  His record of God's plan for our success continues to serve to refine our hearts and minds as we are again called to purity and holiness - that our days might be long and prosperous in this land, this creation, our Father has provided for us.

Song of Witness Deuteronomy 32:1-27

As you, the reader of this blog can pull up the passage in the tool to the right of this blog, I will do my best not to repeat it.  However, allow me to highlight its main themes and tie in some correlating verses from the Bible.

(vs 1-3) God's desire would be that His word would be pleasant and sustaining in opposition to fire and brimstone! (see also Isaiah 55:6-13, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 29 may represent a bit more violent storm)

(vs 4-6) following our dilution of God's purity, as his dew becomes a flood, we experience separation and devastation and forget His love, his protection, the rock in the midst of the rushing waters which serve to carry us away. 

(vs 7-9) God separated man into nations and peoples and chose Israel to re-establish the purity of His name.

(vs 10-14) God separated Israel as His own, removing the impurities of the corruptions of man.  He nursed Him on the milk of his Love in the desert place and established Him within the blood of the vine in the promised land.

(vs 15-18) Jeshurun is poetic reference to Israel, thus consecrated, upright, holy, and chosen.  Turning away from the Love and Holiness of God, they stole God's blessing and glory from the people not unlike Nadab and Abihu of Leviticus 10:1-2.  They demoralized the concept of God in their beliefs and practices.  They forgot the purity of the Love of their creator and led the people astray, claiming Him as their very own in spite of their known practices of hypocricy.

(vs 19-22) Therefore, God cast them out upon the earth to be among the people.  Through the sparks of their destruction, His Holy Fire would refine the hearts and minds of men to the very foundations of their beliefs.

(vs 23-27) Apart from God, the earth will consume its inhabitants.  Violence, pestilence, drought, hostilities of man and beast, plagues, death, destruction; yet lest these powers of evil and darkness imagine they had overcome the Love of the Creator... (stay tuned for the song's finish in tomorrows blog)

Reflections on Luke 12:8-34

Don't Deny His Love Luke 12:8-12

Following an assurance of God's love in Luke 12:7, there is prophecy of tragic days to come in Luke 12:8-12.  Knowing that his followers will face persecution and death for His name, Jesus prepares that early church - and martyrs today with confidence to face their day of witness.  And yet, there is also a tie in to verse 3 in that even within our thoughts, our belief stands witness against us.  Nothing is hidden from God, nor the angels.  Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

And yet, Christ also knew that often times His character would be misrepresented and misunderstood!  Thus, contrary to much of the writings of His followers, Luke 12:10 records Him as stating "everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."  As we have reflected on this statement in Mark 3:29-30, it has much more to do with questioning the work of the Holy Spirit of God within our fellow man!  This also ties in with everything found in scripture stating that God desires the hearts of all men and is not willing that any should perish.  This ties in with this passage on forgiveness! This ties in directly with our teachings on the Law of Love: Love God + Love Man"  Whoever does not forgive will not receive forgiveness.  Warring factions can duke it out in Sheol or Hell or whatever place God has created for that purpose.

As we considered Deuteronomy 13, I commented that it was the most unlucky chapter in the Bible.  Through corrupt misrepresentation of that chapter many well meaning Children of God have martyred their brethren who interpreted the purity of God in a different way.  Many have branded their fellowman a heretic!  The Pharisees had done just the same with Jesus and sought His death which we just saw in Luke 11:53-54.  Now Jesus prepares His followers for their own martyrdoms directly in context with the passage.  Verse 10 resides within the center of this paragraph on martyrdom and stands again in condemnation and judgment upon those who would condemn a brother to death, denying the Holy Spirit's work within that individual.

That being said, if our thoughts condemn our fellowman to damnation in hell because although he seeks God he does not understand Jesus Christ could very well be a direct violation of Luke 12:10.  Jesus himself instructed us not to get so bent out of shape over this issue. 

I Corinthians 13:4-8a "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Ephesians 4:15-16 "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

John 15:26b-27 "the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning."

John 16:8-11 "When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt (or expose the guilt of the world) in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned."

I Peter 3:15-16 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
 
Poor Little Chicken Luke 12:13-21
 
Given the discussion we have just had regarding forgiveness and accepting that even the ungodly may share in our inheritance, Jesus words of Luke 12:13-14 have a major impact!  Do not covet your fellowman's share in the inheritance of God's Love!  Jesus did not come to be a judge or a divider between men, but a refiner separating the good from the evil - the grain from the chaff from within each individual.  He rips us apart on the inside as we bond together through Him to God on the outside. 
 
Not only are our lives not defined by our worldly possessions, but also have little to do with our collections of individual spirituality and righteousness.  Allow me to return to I Corinthians 13:1-3 "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body [to the flames] (that I may boast) but have not love, I gain nothing."
 
It would appear then that accumulating knowledge and sprituality and righteousness for our own salvation is not considered worthy within the eyes of the Father.  His requirement of those who understand His love is to share that love with our fellowman.  Some wonder why the Christian church is experiencing a crucial downward spiral today!  The world is not experiencing a wicked downward spiral sucking the children of the church down with it because of the world's sin; The world is experiencing a wicked downward spiral sucking the children of the church down with it because the church has removed salvation from the ungodly.  Our light no longer shines in the darkness, the light resides within the light in condemnation of the darkness.  Its battery - the Love of God - is therefore dying out.  The Children of God must find ways to interact and embrace our fellowman and run from condemning society as our own folly is coming down upon our own heads.  You may remember Chicken Little running around screaming at the world "the sky is falling!" "the sky is falling!" What nonsense.!
 
Have No Fear For God is Near Luke 12:22-34
 
As we prepare for Luke 12:22-34, allow me to grab hold of verse 11b-12 for context: "do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." 
 
God has chosen you just as you are.  Once you have experienced the joy of His Love, you are ready to share that love!  There are no verses that you need to memorize! There are no airs you must put on.  You cannot improve upon the salvation Christ provided for you!  Love God + Love Man.  Bask in His Sonshine as you reach out to your fellowman and He will supply you with faith, hope, and love. 
 
Hebrews 11:6 states "anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
 
Proverbs 3:5-8 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will [make your paths straight] (direct your paths). Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
 
Proverbs 3:13-15 "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her."
 
Romans 8:38a "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God"
 
I Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
 
Response to Psalms 78:32-55

In accordance with my commentary on Psalm 78:1-31 yesterday, I will highlight Psalm 78:32-55 and then share correlating verses from throughout the Bible exemplifying the message of the Psalmist.

(vs 32-37) Regardless of awesome power or wrath and judgment, still man sins and loses faith.  We praise Him with our mouths, but question Him in our hearts and struggle to Love our fellowman.

(vs 38-39) Yet true to form, He is slow to anger and abounding in Love and forgiveness.  His Heart is set on eternity!

(vs 40-43) Forgetting His power and redemption, they, like us, rebelled and challenged God's Love.

(vs 44-51) the Psalmist recounts the awesome power of God who redeemed Israel from bondage.  He recounts various events of Exodus 7-15.

(vs 52-55) He led His people like a shepherd and stationed them in the land according to His Covenant Promise.

Matthew 15:7-9 "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. (see also Isaiah 29:13)

Exodus 34:6b-7a "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished;"

Isaiah 41:4 "Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord - with the first of them and with the last - I am he."

Isaiah 41:6 "each helps the other and says to his brother, 'Be strong!' The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer spurs on him who strikes the anvil. He says of the welding, 'It is good.' He nails down the idol so it will not topple."

Romans 3:11-12 "11there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

Exodus 8:1b-2a "This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.  If you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country"

John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Response to Proverbs 12:21-23

(vs 21) If we speak in Love, we will receive Love in return. If we condemn, we will be condemned.

(vs 22) Speak of God's love of our fellowman. Do not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

(vs 23)  "in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," I Peter 3:15

Until Tomorrow

Rick