Bible Pathway - Mar. 4, 2010
Highlights:
Discover "gems" from our Heavenly Father in these three chapters. The purpose of God is given for all His Commandments (Deut. 8:1). There's a Divine promise included (9:3). Reminder of the result of rebellion.
Verse for Today:
And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna . . . that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by Every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live (Deut. 8:3).
Jesus began His earthly ministry by quoting from Deuteronomy: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by Every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4). This was His response to Satan who tempted Jesus to make bread for Himself from stones after His 40-day fast in the desert: If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread (4:3), meaning: "If You are the Son of God, why should You, of all people, need to remain hungry?"
Satan attempted to lure Jesus into using His Deity to satisfy His physical need. But, Jesus quoted Scripture: It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God (4:7; Deut. 6:16). He again told Satan: It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve (Matt. 4:10; Deut. 6:13-14).
Throughout His ministry, Jesus quoted Scripture when answering His critics and set an example for us to whom He also said: He that hath My Commandments, and keepeth (guards with his life and obeys) them, he it is that loveth Me. . . . If a man love Me, he will keep My words (John 14:21-23).
For the Word of God is quick (living), and powerful (Heb. 4:12) and it is the only means Jesus used to defeat Satan. As we continue reading all of the Word of God, then the Holy Spirit is able to bring it to our minds when we need it.
We need to remember Moses' warning to Israel: Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping His Commandments. . . . And thou say in thine heart (to yourself), My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember (and praise) the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth. . . . serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the Commandments of the Lord . . . for thy good (benefit) (Deut. 8:11,17-18; 10:12-13).
Thought for Today:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His Commandments: His praise endureth for ever (Ps. 111:10).
Christ Revealed:
Through the shittim (acacia) wood used to make the Ark of the Covenant (Deut. 10:3). Acacia wood, a desert growth, is symbolic of Christ in His human form. When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law (Gal. 4:4).
Word Studies:
8:2 prove =test; 8:14 thine heart be lifted up =you become unmindful of God; 8:18 establish His Covenant =accept His agreement with His qualifications; 9:5 perform the word =accomplish His promise; 9:6 stiffnecked =stubborn, self-willed; 10:6 stead =place; 10:15 seed =descendants.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer • Staff: Beth Carlton • Government Officials: Gov. Rick Perry (TX) and Rep. Christopher Smith (NJ) • Country: Bangladesh (125.7 million) in southern Asia • Major languages: Bangla and English • Present religious freedom may become limited • 86.6% Muslim; 12.1% Hindu; .6% Buddhist; .3% Christian; .4% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that your life will always be pleasing to God (John 8:29).
Optional Reading: Luke 19
Memory Verse for the Week: Exodus 20:17
