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Today's Bible Reading...
March 5 - Deuteronomy 11-13
This is an appeal for devotion to God's Word and obedience to God's
Commandments. There are wonderful promises and ominous warnings.
1. 11:26 Moses sets before the people a choice- a blessing or a curse the
blessing if they obeyed the commands of God and a curse if they disobeyed and
turned from God to follow other gods.
Blessing - receive land, live there forever, fruitful crops, expel enemies
Curse - forfeit God's blessing, danger of crop failure, invasion, expulsion
2. God set before the Israelites a choice between blessings and curses. Most of
them chose disobedience and curses. We have the same choice today. We can live
for ourselves or live in service to God.
3. Communication is important for relationships to develop. God instructs us on
how to communicate with God. We should not casually approach our Creator. God
gave Moses instructions on how the people were to worship and to live. We need
to worship God in the way God desires, not in the way we desire.
4. 12:2,3 The Israelites were told to destroy every pagan altar and idol in the
land so that they would not be tempted to commit the same sin. We must tear down
all points of our temptation as well. These may be activities, attitudes,
possessions, relationships, places, or habits - anything that might tempt us to
turn our hearts away from God.
5. 12:13-14 While the pagans offered sacrifices to their gods in many places,
the Israelites
were only to sacrifice in the prescribed manner and place. This was to ensure
purity of worship for the nation of Israel. We need to make sure we safeguard
the purity of our worship services.
6. Eating blood was forbidden for several reasons.
1. It was a big part of the pagan practices (they hoped to gain the
characteristics of the slain animal (strength, speed...) God's people were to
rely on God for strength.
2. It represented life, which was sacred to God.
3. It was a symbol of the sacrifice that had to be made for sin. The animal was
sacrificed in place of the sinner. To drink the blood would change the symbolism
of the sacrificial penalty and destroy the evidence of the sacrifice.
4. To protect the people from infection because deadly diseases are transmitted
through the blood.
7. When Jesus told his followers (John 6:53-56) to drink his blood, he was
asking them to identify with him completely. He wants to come into our lives.
8. Canaan's religions appealed to worldly desires, especially sexual immorality
and drunkenness. The devil isn't against religion, he uses it! He wants to be
worshipped.
9. Be careful who you listen to and follow. Attractive leaders are not always
led by God. It's possible to say the right words and still lead people in the
wrong direction. The devil is very good at quoting scripture.
Dear God, help me to always worship only You. May I quickly recognize temptation
and tear down anything that would come between us. Work your purpose and plan
for my life.
In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
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