Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20 + Luke 7:36-8:3 + Psalm 69:1-18 + Proverbs 12:1
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Old Testament – Today in Deuteronomy chapter 7, the New Living Translation has the chapter titled “The Privilege of Holiness.” Keep in mind that these chapter headings – or headings within sections of chapters – are not Biblical text. They are not from the original manuscripts, but are basically brief summaries from the viewpoint of modern-day translators. Generally speaking though, you can trust what they are telling you – but just remember, they’re not Biblical text. All this to say, I was intrigued by this chapter’s title in today’s readings. Israel was indeed privileged and called to holiness. I think an important for us to keep in mind is that in the Old Testament, Israel was God’s chosen people. So, yes, we do read in this chapter and future OT chapters God favoring Israel over all other nations. However, keep three things in mind. One, Israel is the people of God’s covenant going to back to Abraham and God is just forming Israel as a nation. Two, the other nations at that time were immersed in sin and idolatry to other gods. Three, through Jesus’ ministry, God indeed shows love toward all nations today and wants all nations to be in relationship with him. But, prior to Jesus, we see clearly in this chapter that Israel is, per verse 6: “a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.”
Today in Deuteronomy chapter 8 verse 10 we read: “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.” What a great verse! Many say that it is because of this verse that we traditionally say grace at meal time. Interesting that this verse indicates that the Israelites were to praise God after eating – which, actually, is sometimes how I say grace today now too – when I forget to say grace before eating! 🙂 I think the other thing this verse above gets at is that we humans have a tendency to “forget” God in the good times. In the bad times, maybe we do a decent job of praying to God and trying to stay close to Him. But in the good times, I know that sometimes I can forget Who really blessed me with the good times. I think it is so important for us to remember each and every day this one thing – God has given us everything. Every single good thing we have in our life comes from God. Our family. Our friends. Our physical abilities. Even the very air we breathe. It ALL comes from God. And, while I think it is pleasing to God for us to praise him for these good things – I also think it is ultimately healthy for us to praise God for the good things he has given us. Because, when we truly thank God each and every day for even very simple things – our eyesight, our 12 year old car that still runs fine, etc. etc. – we realize how very blessed we really are, and then I think we have less of a chance of feeling sorry for ourselves. We are blessed! How are you doing on praising God for the good things he has given you in your life? Now that we are in this Easter & Spring season, will you make a conscious effort to really praise and thank God each and every day? Think this might be pleasing to God? Think this might be healthy for you?
New Testament – In Luke chapter 7 today we read about the “immoral” woman who kissed and put perfume on Jesus’ feet. Verse 39 is a powerful testament to Jesus’ character – “When the Pharisee who was the host saw what was happening and who the woman was, he said to himself, “This proves that Jesus is no prophet. If God had really sent him, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”” How ironic… this Pharisee thought that Jesus was not sent from God because he let a sinner touch him – when indeed it is this very act that proves that Jesus was sent from God! Jesus loved everyone – and still loves everyone today – and wants to be in relationship with all of us. No matter what this woman’s sins were. No matter what our sins were or are. Jesus loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. Like the woman in this story, will we humble ourselves and come before the feet of Jesus? And will we ignore those who might suggest we’re not “good enough” to be in relationship with God or Jesus? Remember, Jesus came to call the sinners, the sick – and not the righteous. Let’s not act righteous before Jesus, but come to his feet as we really are and worship Him for who he truly is!
Luke chapter 8 readings today are important for us to pay attention to. Oftentimes I think we sometimes think that it was just Jesus and the twelve male disciples cruising around the Holy Land during Jesus’ ministry. Today’s verses are a great reminder of the involvement of women in Jesus’ ministry both by traveling with him and by contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and the twelve! Verses 1 through 3 tell us today – “Not long afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby cities and villages to announce the Good News concerning the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women he had healed and from whom he had cast out evil spirits. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.” Below is the Italian painter Bernardino Luini’s “The Conversion of Magdalene”, circa 1525. Luini’s painting shows Martha, Mary’s sister, on the left pointing toward heaven; Mary, to the right, repeats the gesture to indicate that she too will follow Jesus.
Bible.org’s commentary on Luke chapter 7’s readings today, titled “Wordless Worship of an Unnamed Woman” is at this link. Commentary on Luke chapter 8’s readings today, titled “Ministry, Money and Women” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 69 verse 16 today is such a true statement that maybe we need to be reminded of today – “Answer my prayers, O LORD, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Turn and take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful.” God does answer our prayers – perhaps not in the way we “want” Him to, but always in the way that is ultimately best for us and the Kingdom. His unfailing love is wonderful. His mercy is so plentiful. But, yet, somehow I think I sometimes forget all of this. Why? I think I forget about God’s love & mercy when I am not praying to him. How about you? Are you needing a reminder today about God’s unfailing love and his mercy? Are you praying to God for these very things? Will you allow God to demonstrate both his love and mercy to you today? Will you offer up prayers and allow God to answer in his perfect way?
Proverbs – Wow… Proverbs chapter 12 verse 1 is so to the point and so true. Please meditate on this one – “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” Do you love discipline? Do you want to learn? Do you hate correction? What holy discipline might God be bringing to you in your life today? Will you accept God’s healing and holy discipline in your life?
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of the fantastic live version of “Christ our Hope in Life and Death:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZBLPMgCRXY
Who is your hope in life and death? Click here for Hope!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will always love God’s discipline in your life. Pray that you will never hate God’s correction. Pray for wisdom and knowledge in your life that will come from God’s blessed correction of you.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on Deuteronomy chapter 8 verse 10 above, do you say grace or offer up some sort of prayer of thanksgiving to God at each meal? Why or why not? Do you think it is pleasing to God when we do say a prayer at mealtime? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
Deuteronomy 7-8:20
It’s not what you know or even what you do, as in the Old Testament, in the New it is who you know.
The Lord did not set His love upon you and choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the fewest of all people. But because the Lord loves you and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations, (Deuteronomy 7:7-9 AMP)
But if it is by grace (His unmerited favor and graciousness), it is no longer conditioned on works or anything men have done. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace [it would be meaningless]. (Romans 11:6 AMP)
The grace that has been granted to Believers comes by way of Jesus Christ. He is the One we know.
There is something I just saw in the act of deliverance, Israel’s deliverance from her enemies as she entered into the promise land, that may explain why we find ourselves struggling with some things, which seem to keep us entrap as we struggle to walk the walk. There more than likely is a spiritual parallel of God’s Words to Israel, that we can apply to our lives.
Remember the great contests to which you were eyewitnesses: the miracle-signs, the wonders, GOD’s mighty hand as he stretched out his arm and took you out of there. GOD, your God, is going to do the same thing to these people you’re now so afraid of. And to top it off, the Hornet. GOD will unleash the Hornet on them until every survivor-in-hiding is dead. So don’t be intimidated by them. GOD, your God, is among you–GOD majestic, GOD awesome. GOD, your God, will get rid of these nations, bit by bit. You won’t be permitted to wipe them out all at once lest the wild animals take over and overwhelm you. (Deuteronomy 7:19-22 MSG)
While we struggle with our “stuff” God is telling us to not let said “stuff” intimidate us that He will drive them out little by little. There are things, it seems, that when we first accept Jesus Christ, we are immediately delivered from it’s effects; however, we seem to fall into traps that we struggle daily to extricate ourselves from. Yet in the above four verses God is speaking to me saying, I know that those things are there just remember how I delivered you from the first things, I will deliver you from these also. Don’t give up!
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Cathy:
Thank you Romana,
As you mentioned: “God is speaking to you saying that, I know that those things are there just remember how I delivered you from the first things, I will deliver you from these also. Don’t give up!”. Yes God is speaking here to me as well. Because looking back, I noticed that he always solve my problems; but as a human, sometime instead of living God on the throne (command) we tend to worry about what will happen in the future that we cannot master as human.
Thank for you great input.
Have a bless and peaceful day.
Cathy
======= Ashley:
WOW… I have been reading almost everyday now and today with the Proverbs 12:1 I’ve been going through some stuff and I know God put leaders in our lives and i think it would only be foolish not to listen to there advice b/c obiviously they only do that is b/c they care and I know I might not want to hear what they have to say b/c i know they are right but I always need correction and it only helps me get stronger in my walk with GOD… Then along with that Psalms 69:16 It proves to me that when we are in a weak that GOD does hear our prayers and that his mercy is ALWAYS there and unfailing love .. I know to this day I don’t know where my life would be without knowing that I have a heavenly Father that knows me inside and out and is always there for me he never leaves……
Ashley
======= Gina:
Today’s reading in Deuteronomy really touched me in a very personal way…too much to explain here…but it was definitely God’s still small voice speaking ever so gently to me. WOW! God is soooo good!! That’s all I can say….
p.s. – I received an email from our friend Mae this morning….she and her family are safe after the fire but are not living back at home just yet. She is also not feeling well. Please continue to pray for her, her family and her health! Thanks!!! I know she is missing everyone!
Gina
======= Karen:
I have memorized Proverbs 12:1 earlier on in my Christian walk and I am reminded that I need the discipline that He provides for me daily.
The two verses that have spoke to me today were in Deuteronomy. Deut 7:10 is a reminder to me that if I hate God, then he will destroy me. In Deut 8:6, I am reminded to observe his commands and to walk in his ways and to revere him on a daily basis.
Karen
======= Emma:
Remember that God has not finished with his chosen people Israel, that their inheritence, as ours, is given by grace, not earned. We are added to Gods chosen people, we do not replace them, even though as a nation they are currently in sin, He will restore them at his appointed time. See Romans 11.
Emma
======= Nasser:
when we give thanks to god on everything we face ,had this a blessing for us this is a great support to us and a strengh from above . i experience this in my life when i start my devotion or quiet time i bring with all the burdens from yesturday and when i start worship and praise god of what he are and give thanks to all what he gave through my life the burden get from heavy to a very light burden and why is so because giving thanks remind you of god’s unfailing love and about his plentful mercy upon his children not to forget his holy spirit dwelling inside us he is a comforter for all who believe and trust him Amen
Nasser
======== Kevin:
I try not to make “saying grace” some ritual. It’s important that we are always thankful for all He provides (kind of hard when He has blessed us with so much!). He sees our thankful hearts more than He hears our ritualized words. just the opinion of a sinner.
Kevin
======== Luch:
Yes it is very interesting that Jesus, who is the Provider of all we need, allowed Himself in His humanity to be materially provided for by this circle of friends. Speaks to the issue of supporting those who have been set apart vocationally for the work of advancing the kingdom of God, and that it’s not a ‘beggarly’ thing to receive support from people because even Jesus set a pattern for this in his itinerant ministry.
Luch
======= Gary:
Today I saw how Jesus used scripture to direct and guide his life. In Deuteronomy 8:3, Moses instructed the Israelites
“man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD”.
During Jesus’ temptation, he used these verses (Matt 4:4, Luke 4:4) to guide his correct thinking about the the reality we live in. He rebuked Satan while he was being tempted because he understood and saw a greater reality based on God’s revealed truth. He knew God would provide for his every need, and that he could trust God to provide that need in his perfect timing.
My typical response to events of life is so different than how Jesus responded, and I need to change that. I realized that Jesus KNEW God’s word (or course, he IS God’s Living Word). Likewise I need to know God’s Word, and allow it to change me so I will respond to life’s trials in a godly way. The more I meditate on God’s truth, I, like Jesus, will begin to respond to that truth, that reality, in a way that pleases my Savior.
Lord, thank you for the goodness you have revealed in Christ.
Gary
======= Elizabeth:
Hello Everyone,
I grew up as Catholic in the North and we had a rote prayer before meals that was disconnected from any relationship or real conversation with the Lord. I didn’t know the Lord then.
Interesting that the Lord has moved me to the South where we say “Grace” (a foreign expression my family never used). I am not a big “rote” prayer person and do not pray with our children before bedtime (which I sometimes feel guilty about, but I just can’t seem to get into praying before bedtime…my best prayer time has always been in the morning).
Our prayers before meals are actually quite nice though and seem to have a naturalness about them. We use them as an opportunity to pray for family, friends, whoever comes to mind.
For us as a family, I think the key has been to remember to pray whenever the occasion arises and to fold prayer into our days in a natural way.
Enjoyed everyone’s comments today. The Lord is teaching me a lot in Deuteronomy 7 & 8!
Elizabeth
======= Natalie:
Today, Deuteronomy 8, really stood out, because I finally started to notice that when I pray in times of good fortune, I tend to ask for more then just thanking him for the position in which I am. This message, for many reasons, is a wake up call to me.
Natalie
======== Chris:
Two verses that stood out to me:
Deut 8:3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
(One of Jesus’ responses to Satan when tempted in the wilderness.)
Ps 69:9 Passion for your house has consumed me, …
(The verse Jesus’ disciples remembered (in John 2:17) after the first cleansing of the temple.)
Chris
====== Steve:
Deuteronomy 7:18-19
But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. 19 You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.
Do not be afraid, the Lord will take care of everything and everyone we fear. What cast of fear? Perfect love cast out fear. Remember what God did to Pharaoh and remember what Jesus did on the cross. Remembering what God has done is the anecdote to Fear; it’s not our lack of faith but our loss of memory that brings us fear.
Deuteronomy 7:22-23
The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. 23 But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.
I love this verse, it brings me comfort just knowing that we are a work in progress, the Lord is delivering us a little bit at a time. I am guilty of stressing over not being delivered quick enough but God is in control and He is delivering me at just the right pace. His timing is perfect and I need only stay the course, remain faithful and patient while remembering the Lord’s promise; He will drive out the enemy little by little and slowly increase my territory.
Steve
======= Robert:
I thought I would share one of those “God Moments” today. I was reading Mikes commentary about thanking God for everything we have from the air we breathe to our eyesight. He mentioned thanking Him for their 12 year old car. For the last couple of weeks my son has been looking for a car. We prayed for it and put it into Gods hands. Low and behold yesterday we went to look at the first one I found online, a red 2009 Pontiac with low mileage. Did you notice it is 12 years old! Normally I would spend a month looking for a car but this “coincidence” is just too good to pass up. I plan to praise the Lord on this! Thank you God.
These little signs or indicators in our life are special because you become aware of how God is involved in your life. He is usually so subtle that we really have to be attentive to listening to that word he has given. It’s not that easy but with the familiarity of knowing him, it becomes easier. There are always spin-offs that are amazing to watch and you see him involved with it all. Praise God!
Robert
======= Nancy:
Made me chuckle about thanking the Lord after you have eaten. When your stomachs full, hopefully not over eating. Just very satisfied from a good meal.
Nancy
======= Dee:
God is so good to us! His blessings and favor and glory endure forever! I have learned from reading the bible..it is not what goes into your mouth that makes you unclean or corrupt but what comes out of your heart, deceit, lies, condemnation, lust, greed, etc.. but.. but God! I have learned even though this is true, it is always a blessing to say the blessing or “grace” before meals and give Him thanks for all we have. I have said it in the midst of eating it, and have said thank you after eating it. With man, it’s impossible to please God, but “All things, are possible to the one that believeth..and call upon His name! With God, all things are possible! Be blessed!
Dee
======= Art:
Mike,
Thanks for encouraging all those who for any reason are falling behind in their reading. Your advice is good; if you are behind some, just skip forward to today’s readings and progress from there. This is excellent for anyone who is behind several days and more.
Be encouraged, Mike, that even though some may be behind in their reading, and others may have dropped completely, there are new readers being added daily, and many many more reading faithfully that you don’t hear from. Your work for us has been such a blessing. You have led so many to His Holy Word. Thank you.
Art
======= Kristie:
Thanks for the encouragements in your emails to us….I hope if anyone has fallen behind they can just pick up where we are today!
Kristie
======= Vance:
Deuteronomy 7 (NKJV)
6
“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.
Deuteronomy 8 (NKJV)
18
“And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
~~~
These are excellent focus verses, on the PURPOSE of why I am on earth.
1)
I am here to be HOLY to the Lord, to DEVELOP my intimate relationship with Him, to GLORIFY Him, and to be His VESSEL of LOVE, TRUTH, and BLESSING to others who will receive it
*** I am NOT here for myself. I am NOT chosen just so I can rejoice in being “chosen”, and then do nothing.
I am CHOSEN for a purpose.
IN A MATERIALISTIC AGE, it is a tremendous challenge to TAKE TIME TO SEEK THE LORD, and to TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY. But, this is my primary calling.
We are CHOSEN to be MODELS of GRACE ACTIVELY WORKING in our lives… to be a LIVING testimony to those around us.
2)
IF I KEEP my priorities straight, GOD’S INTENTION is to bless His people – spiritually and materially – so we CAN GIVE TO THE LORD THE FIRST AND BEST of our monies and time. In doing that, then we WILL PRIORITIZE OUR MONEY to FINANCE the Gospel to the world.
We are called to this: “He [GOD] gives you power to get wealth, [so] that He may establish His covenant [on the earth].”
THAT COVENANT is the covenant OF salvation through GRACE – which is only received through knowing the truth about Jesus, and repentance and faith in His Name to allow GRACE to operate in the lives of unbelievers.
Money IS ALWAYS a spiritual issue, and a spiritual weapon. It is a weapon FOR us or AGAINST us… depending on the state of our heart.
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
SO…
I can use money to FURTHER ESTABLISH my heart in the Lord if I am careful to GIVE THE BEST of what God has allowed me to make to the Lord.
Or…
I can NOT give to the Lord, which will further reveal the hardness of my heart against the Lord. In that case, money will be my god and not the Living God.
God WILL… if we let Him… give us wisdom to truly prosper – that is to give us WHAT WE NEED to ACCOMPLISH HIS WILL in our lives and IN our world – to be AGENTS of the Gospel.
Vance
======= Luch:
I’ve been away from the OYB this week due to a church and culture conference I attended in Charlotte, NC, so I haven’t had time to post anything. But I have kept up with some of the comments that have been shared. Again, I often wonder why some of us as more ‘experienced readers’ have a tendency to come down hard on those asking questions. The mark of an inquisitive mind is that it does ask questions. I”ve been following Jesus for 33 years and I have more questions today than I did when I started. Is that wrong?
I have a group I study with that are either pre Christians or relatively newer followers of Jesus. They are constantly bombarding me with questions which keeps me on my ‘spiritual toes’.
We spent a whole year traversing the beautiful landscape of the gospel of John, and we used the Gospel of John dvds as well as readings. However,I knew I had to get them to the Old Testament someday but they were all very reluctant. I decided to propose we use Philip Yancey’s remarkable “The Bible Jesus Read book and video teaching series in our small group. Yancey addresses five books of the Old Testament to his readers, one of which is Deuteronomy. My friends who study with me are mostly professional people of some sort, and they can’t wait to get to the study. I would recommend this book to anyone who is stumbling their way through some of the harder parts of Deuteronomy.
Another reference book we have used that is helpful is historian Thomas Cahill’s The Gift of the Jews (not written by an evangelical) but has some very helpful material on why we need to appreciate all that we have received from our Jewish ancestry as followers of Jesus.
ONe other thought regarding the choosing of the Jews which may have come up in an earlier reading but let’s remember the deuteronomic version of the ‘great commmission’ “See, I have taught you decrees and laws as hte LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take of possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations who will hear about these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wsie and understanding people” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to hae such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?” deut 4:5-8
Whatever else it means for Israel to be chosen, we must never forget it was never to be an itself; Israel’s way of life (much like the church today) is to point to God and the unique difference God makes in people and in culture as they live their lives under His Lordship.
Let’s make sure that we don’t discourage each other as we are all trying to get to know and experience Jesus through our daily bible readings.
one thought for all of us, which includes me, who have questions is to go to some helpful websites such as http://www.gotquestions.org and check out if there are some possible answers to our specific queries. The fact is, reading the Bible does make one ‘question a lot’, but then again, I am reminded of what mark Twain said, “It’s not the parts of the Bible that I don’t understand that bother me, but it’s the parts I do understand that I am having a hard time with.” How true!!
Luch
======== John:
Deut 8:3-4
“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.”
Forgot about clothes not wearing out. From Calvin Klein to Walmart – this would not make retailers happy should it happen again : )
I always thought the swollen feet had to do with all the walking the Israelite nation did in Desert.
Turns out swollen feet are a sign of malnutrition. So perhaps God is pointing out that the manna was nutricious. While addressing their spiritual needs, their physical needs were “completely taken care of in the Desert.
John
======== Ramona:
John–Swollen feet can also come from a genetic form of “flat feet,” causing the ligament that connects the inside right ankle to the big toe. Swelling from that comes when the ligament is streatched because of “heal strikes” against the ground from walking and or running a lot. I think waling around 40 years in the desert qualifies. I don’t know what the medical condition is called. Your find is very interesting. S, not only needs of spiritual and physical were addressed but their medical and physiological needs were addressed.
Ramona
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