In Deuteronomy 10 Moses recounts when God gave him a second set of stone tablets and gave instructions on making the ark of the covenant to put them in. He also reminds them that the tribe of Levi has been chosen to minister to the tabernacle and the ark.

He asks the people if they know what the Lord requires of them. His answer is: “Only to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD your God¹ and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being.” He reminds them that out of all creation God has chosen them to be his special people. Moses encourages them to circumcise their hearts and give up their stubborn ways.

God continues to require of us the same things as He had the people of Israel. If only we could give up our own stubborn ways and trust in Him.

Deuteronomy 11 is a repetition of the promise God has made to take care of the people in the Promised Land. It is a reminder to keep the statutes and to teach them to their children.

You have finished Acts and now we will read one of the letters Paul wrote. This one is to the church in Rome before he finally arrived there.

In Romans 1 Paul speaks about the nature of humanity. He states that God’s divine nature is evident in the things He has made. Even those who have never hear the gospel should be able to see God in creation so there is no reason for doubt and disbelief. But people, in their efforts to seem wise, become foolish by rejecting the glory of God and putting it in idols. They do not believe the truth about God and prefer to worship the creature rather than the Creator. Paul says that since people would rather trust in their own passions, God leaves them to those passions. They are filled with every kind of wickedness. They know that God says they deserve death but still they celebrate disobedience.