38: Covenant Reaffirmation & Exhortation to Obedience (Deut 30:1 – 20)

It overwhelms us when we hear that we are to keep all the commandments. What if I fail one of them? Would I be punished for eternity? God will restore you when you repent. Also, what God wants from you is your love.

πŸ‘‰ Read Deuteronomy 30:1 - 20

As shown below, God would give them a second chance even after the nation's destruction. Arrange them according to the order in the passage.

·         God turns to them and brings them back to the land (Release from slavery)

·         They turn to God and obey (Repentance)

·         God rejoices over them and blesses them (Joyful Blessing)

·         God cleanses their hearts to love God (Sanctification to pure devotion)

Repentance – Release from slavery – Sanctification to pure devotion – Joyful blessing

It is God’s grace that, when they repent, God will restore them and do more than before (5).

This order also reflects how our faith grows. As you turn to the Lord, which is repentance, you will experience freedom from the burden of sin. However, you would not yet fully devote to the Lord because of your sinful heart. The Lord will lead you into sanctification through the circumcision of the heart so that you will love and obey God wholeheartedly and enjoy joyful fellowship with the Lord.


“This commandment I am giving you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it too remote. … For the thing is very near you. It is in your (          ) and in your (          ) so that you can do it.”

Mouth, mind

God wants to see if we really love Him and try to follow His words rather than if we mechanically and reluctantly follow His commands.

They always recited the word of God. Thus, Moses said God's commandments were in their mouth.

Jesus Christ became the word for us. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom 10:9)


“Look! I have set before you today (        ) and (              ) on the one hand, and (         ) and (             ) on the other.” 

Life and prosperity, death, disaster.

The Lord always sets life and death before us and asks us to choose the life.


Write down the three verbs of your action in verse 16 when you choose life and blessings.

Love the Lord your God,

Walk in his ways,

Obey his commandments

Loving God is the mark of mature faith. Not loving the Lord is the start of rebellion.


Moses solemnly assured that they were to choose between life and death. Who would be the witnesses of this announcement? 

The heaven and the earth.

Heaven and earth will exist beyond their generation and thus become the witnesses.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

25: ‘Tell us plainly’ vs ‘The Father and I are one.’ (John 10:22 – 42)

As Jesus announced the Father and Jesus were one, the Jewish leaders tried to stone him. πŸ‘‰ Read John 10:22 - 42 Q1. Why did the Jewish leaders not believe in Jesus? Answers πŸ‘‰ They refused to believe in Jesus, for they were not Jesus’ sheep. ‘you refused to believe.’ This tells their willing refusal.  Note that Jesus Himself doesn’t call Himself the Messiah. Instead, He called Himself the One sent from God. He focused on doing the Father’s works and proclaiming His words. From Jesus’ works, they could have concluded that He was the Messiah sent from God. But they refused to admit it. Instead, they asked Jesus to admit His identity as the Messiah plainly, which Jesus wouldn’t do. Q2. They asked Jesus if He were the (           ). But Jesus claimed that the (          ) and He are one. Because of this, they condemned Him of (             ) and tried to stone Him. Answer πŸ‘‰ They asked Jesus if He were the ( Christ ). But Jesus claimed that the ( Father  ) and He are one
Read more

26: Other Laws concerning human life (#6 no murder) (Deut 21:1 – 22:8)

The command ‘do not murder’ should be extended to its full measure and completeness. They needed to remove the guilt of unresolved murder, keep the dignity of the female slave, respect the patrilineal inheritance, and preserve various lives. πŸ‘‰ Read Deuteronomy 21:1 - 22:8 When a homicide victim is found, and no one knows the murderer, the elders of the nearest town must do a ritual of atonement through the death of a heifer. What is the purpose of doing so? (7-9) If you had made your female slave your wife, you can divorce her but not (             ) her. For a man with two wives, if his less-loved wife’s son is the firstborn, let him inherit the (            ) portion. He should not show favoritism according to his affection for one of his wives. When a son doesn’t listen to his parent, he is like a glutton and (             ). Why should they not leave the corpse on the tree of execution overnight? When you see someone’s lost possession, do not (           ) it. You must not re
Read more

35: I am the True Vine. You are the Branches (John 15:1 – 17)

Image
The vine tree analogy so vividly illustrates our relationship with Jesus. As the branches of a vine share the life of the vine, we share and live from Jesus’ life. πŸ‘‰ Read John 15:1 - 17 Q1. Why do we need to remain in Jesus? (2, 4) Answers πŸ‘‰ To bear fruit. God takes away any branch that doesn’t bear fruit. We might debate the security of salvation: do we lose our salvation if we bear no fruit? However, it is better to focus on how to bear fruit rather than how to get salvation.  “You are clean already.” It would refer to a born-again status, a rightful relationship with the Father, one who bathed (13:10). John uses the imagery of cleanness for salvation. In the OT bible, one should be ritually clean to stand before God.  When we believe Jesus’ gospel, we are reconciled with the Father. Though sinners, we can approach God by Jesus’ blood. The pruning (lit. cleaning) (2) of our life is to make us bear more fruit. “Remain”: You should stay, not stop by. No plant produces fruit
Read more