Bible Pathways - Mar. 3, 2009
March 3
Highlights In Today's Reading:
The Ten Commandments are of utmost importance. They are the foundation of all our laws today. The old enemy Satan desperately attempts to remove them from sight today, but consider, they are the only portion of our Bible written by the finger of God (Ex. 31:18).
Moses anticipated the pitfalls that prosperity would bring once the Israelites inherited the land of plenty: When the Lord . . . give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not . . . beware lest thou forget the Lord (6:10-12). The Lord knew they would be tempted to satisfy their worldly desires instead of keeping the Word of God.
Our Lord reveals that true wealth is spiritual and consists of what we are and not what we have. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit (Rom. 8:5). We are warned: Beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15). The 10th Commandment covers this temptation by saying: Neither shalt thou desire . . . any thing that is thy neighbour's (Deut. 5:21). Any desire to have what belongs to another is covetousness. We are to be content with what God has entrusted to us. It is easier to weep with those who weep than to rejoice with those who have gained more blessings than we have.
Moses warned the Israelites not to forget how God had miraculously delivered them from Egyptian slavery and provided for their every need during their wilderness journey.
Moses told the Israelites that the purpose of God for leading them into the wilderness was, among other things, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these Commandments before the Lord our God, as He hath commanded us (Deut. 6:24-25).
Heartfelt submission turns every trial into a blessing and it helps us guard against pride when we enjoy prosperity or avoid covetousness when we are in need.
Because the Lord loved you, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you . . . from . . . Pharaoh. . . . Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His Commandments (Deut. 7:8-9).
Thought for Today:
The Word of God teaches us not to trust in our own ability (flesh), but to lean on Him (Prov. 3:5-7). When all is going well, we tend to forget God.
Christ Revealed:
Through the land flowing with milk and honey (Deut. 6:3). This pictures Christ who bountifully provides for our needs. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matt. 6:33).
Word Studies:
5:1 judgments =laws; 5:2 covenant =binding agreement with qualifications given by God; 6:21 bondmen =slaves; 6:22 sore =terrible; 7:6 above =out of; 7:13 fruit =children; fruit =crops; 7:16 consume =destroy; 7:25 graven images =carved wooden idols; snared =trapped; abomination =detestable, hated thing; 7:26 a cursed thing =set apart for destruction.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for English International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Helayne Adams • Bible Pathway Media Producer: Rick Hash • Government Official: Rep. Jim Marshall (GA) • Country: Central African Republic (3 million) in the center of the African continent • Major languages: French and Sangho • Religious freedom • 47% Protestant; 34% Roman Catholic; 12% animist; 3% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for the Lord to give you the right words to share Christ with others (Matt. 10:18-20).
Optional Reading: Luke 18
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:11
