Highlights:
Moses' review of Israel's 40 years after leaving Egypt; commanded to leave Mount Sinai; commanded to enter the promised land but (they)rebelled against the Commandment of the Lord (Deut. 1:43); 38 years of wanderings.
Verses for Today:
I said unto you. . . . Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. . . . Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the Commandment of the Lord your God: And ye murmured (Deut. 1:20-21,26-27).
Despite their miraculous deliverance from Egypt, the manna and water every day, and the cloud by day and fire by night to guide them, the adult generation of Israelites that left Egypt continually complained and found fault. They refused to enter the promised land and trust God for victory over the Canaanites.
Consequently, the first generation rejected the will of God and wasted their lives wandering in the wilderness until they all had died except Caleb and Joshua, who had said: Let us go up at once and possess it (Num. 13:30).
Some today are like the Israelites who found excuses for their disobedience to God, but others choose to be like Caleb and Joshua whose faith led them to be faithful servants regardless of adverse circumstances. After the older generation died, Moses began to declare (Deut. 1:5) the original message God had given the Israelites nearly 40 years earlier. To declare this Law meant more than to merely rehearse it; it meant to go into the Word of God to allow it to reveal new meaning. Moses spoke a new revelation of the love of God for His people four times (4:37; 7:7-8; 10:15; 23:5) which was to strengthen the new generation's faith in Him for whatever lies ahead. Christians can rejoice that, by faith in the Word of God, they can overcome the "giants" in their lives of the lust of the flesh . . . lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:15-17). It is our privilege as Christians to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only (James 1:22).
Regardless of adverse circumstances, loving submission to the Lord develops our faith in His ability to guide, protect, and provide for our every need. We should live . . . to (do) the will of God. For the time past of our life (lives) may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles (unbelievers), when we walked in lasciviousness (sensuality, indecency, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries (I Pet. 4:2-3).
Thought for Today:
He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My Words, hath One that judgeth him: the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day (John 12:48).
Christ Portrayed:
By Moses, who spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the Lord had given him in Commandment unto them (Deut. 1:3). Jesus faithfully told others everything God told Him to say. I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things (John 8:28).
Word Studies:
1:12 cumbrance =disputes; 1:39 should be a prey =would be taken captive; 1:42 smitten =defeated; 2:1 compassed =went around; 2:18 coast =border or territory; 2:33 smote =defeated.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for our Military worldwide • International Broadcasts for the month of March sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer • Staff: Dr. John A. Hash • Country: Azerbaijan (7.7 million) southern Transcaucasia between Europe and Asia • Major languages: Azeri and Russian • Religious freedom • 65% Shi'a Muslim; 30% Sunni Muslim; 2% Russian Orthodox; 2% Armenian Apostolic; 1% Jewish • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for a spirit of humility and submission before the Lord (John 3:30-31).
Optional Reading: Luke 16
NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.
Memory Verse for the Week: Exodus 20:17