anitasanecdotes

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.

In Deuteronomy 8 God tells the people that the reason for the long journey in the wilderness was to humble them and to teach them to trust in Him. He provided for them throughout it all, keeping them in clothes that never wore out and making it so that their feet did not hurt even with all of the walking. Then God promises them that the Promised Land is wonderful. And as they remember that God has provided for them and do not take credit for the blessings God will continue to be faithful.

In Deuteronomy 9 Moses again speaks to the people about crossing over into the Promised Land. He reminds them that God is crossing over before them and will defeat their enemies. God is doing this not because the Israelites are righteous but rather because the other nations are unrighteous.

Moses reminds them that they have been a rebellious people. He recounts that several times God wanted to destroy them because of their disobedience. But Moses pleaded on their behalf reminding God of the covenants He made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

In Acts 28 Paul and the others escape the shipwreck and land in Malta. While Paul is sitting by a fire a viper bites him. The natives think that he is going to die, but Paul just shakes off the snake into the fire and is not harmed. The people then think that he is a god.  Paul also cures a man in the area. He also healed others on the island.

They leave the island and come to Rome. The believers in Rome meet Paul and his companions which gives Paul courage. He approaches the Jewish leaders in Rome and makes his case before them. They had not heard about the trouble in Judea and wanted to hear his testimony. Some believe and others do not which causes a dispute in the community. Paul acknowledges that Isaiah had prophesied that many would not believe. This opens the door for the Gentiles to hear the message of salvation.  He lives in Rome for 2 years preaching and teaching about Jesus with boldness.

In Deuteronomy 6 Moses continues to remind the people of the commandments of God. Note that the name of the Lord has changed to the LORD your God. This indicates that a different writer is responsible for this book. As I said in an earlier blog this book was most likely written by the priests who were in exile. They were trying to put together the Law for the people in exile. It contains remembrances of the past and hope for the future based upon God’s faithfulness.

Moses emphasizes remembering and teaching the commandments to future generations. Verses 4 and 5 contain the words Jesus called the greatest commandment. ^“Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” The first part of this commandment is called the Shema which means “hear”. Moses instructs the people to memorize these words, to repeat them often during the day, to wear them on their hand and forehead, and to put them on the doorpost of their houses. They are a reminder that God alone is worthy of our worship and obedience. Every part of our being: our desires, our beliefs, our thoughts, and our actions are to be expressions of our love for Him.

In Deuteronomy 7 Moses orders the people to destroy all those who inhabit the land they are about to enter. They are not to enter into a covenant with them or intermarry with them. The people are also to destroy all vestiges of the religions these strangers practice. They are to keep themselves pure: physically and spiritually.

If the people keep the commandments of the Lord their God, He will bless them in all that they do. He will keep them safe and well.

Psalm 33 is a song of praise. The righteous have every reason to praise God. Their praise is to be loud and melodious.

God loves the righteous and justice and blesses those whom He chooses. Deliverance and victory come to those who hope not in their own power and strength, but in His steadfast love

In Deuteronomy 4 Moses follows his recounting of God’s faithfulness by exhorting them to obey the commandments of the Lord. He reminds them how God destroyed those who worshiped Baal of Peor. He reminds them how unique their God is because he is near to them when they call.

Moses exhorts them to remember the statutes and to teach them to their children and grandchildren. He reminds them that they have heard God’s voice, but have not seen God in any form so he must not portrayed as any image or idol.

Moses is addressing the descendants of the first Israelites brought out of Egypt. He states that because of this first group he is not allowed to enter the Promised Land. He warns them to remain faithful even after they have been in the land a long time. If they become complacent and start to worship idols they will be punished and taken to other lands. They will call out to the Lord in their distress and God will not forsake them. Moses reminds them again that their God is different from other god because of His presence with them and His mighty protection.

The book of Deuteronomy is believed to be compiled by the priests who were exiled in Babylon after God punished Israel for corrupting their faith. It is meant to remind the people of God’s faithfulness and the necessity of their obedience to the Law.

In Deuteronomy 5 Moses states that the covenant God made at Horeb was made with the present Israelites. They are the ones who are inheriting the land. The Law is meant for them as they enter the land. Moses repeats what God said to them in the giving of the Ten Commandments and how God wrote them on stone tablets. He again exhorts them to follow the law exactly as it has been given to them so that they may live long in the land.

Acts 27 opens with Paul sailing to Italy since he has requested an audience with the emperor. The journey is difficult because the winds are against them. Paul warns them that continuing the journey will be dangerous and they will lose everything but no one listens to him. They encounter a northeaster and are pounded by the storm. The crew threw the cargo overboard.

Paul reminds them that he had warned them not to embark on the journey but tells them that an angel of God spoke to him. He encourages them that God will protect them and no lives will be lost. He states that they will have to run aground on an island. The sailors try to save the ship by anchoring it offshore. They attempt abandon the ship but Paul says that all must stay aboard the ship if they want to survive. It has been two weeks and Paul encourages everyone to eat. After they ate they throw the wheat overboard. The next morning the ship runs into a reef. The soldiers want to kill all of the prisoners so they will not escape but the centurion in charge of Paul keeps them from doing so. Everyone is is brought safely to land.

We are reminded how important it is to obey God’s word. We have a God who is with us in the journey. We have a God who speaks to us. We must listen and obey or bear the consequences.

As Deuteronomy 2 and 3 open Moses recounts that after fighting the Amorites they went through the land of the descendants of Esau. They did not inherit any of their land since God promised it to Esau’s descendants. Moses reminds the people that God has always blessed them and has provided for them through out their journey through the wilderness. They have not lacked for anything.

Moses recounts that they passed by Moab also because God had promised it to the descendants of Lot. They were waiting until that generation passed before they could take over any land. They arrived at the land of King Sihon. They had asked for safe travels through his land but he refused. God gave them the land of Sihon.  They triumphed over Gilead and Bashan as well. God gave them everything in these lands.

Moses recounts how the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the Manassites took as their inheritance some of this land to the east of the Jordan River. He recounts telling Joshua that just as God has delivered these kings into the hands of the Israelites He will deliver the kingdoms on the other side of the Jordan. He reminded Joshua not to be afraid because the Lord his God fights for him. Moses tells them that he asked God again if he could go into the Promised Land but God refused him. God allowed him to go up Mt. Pisgah and see the land but he was to charge Joshua to be the head of the people who would cross the Jordan.

In Acts 26 Agrippa has heard the accusations of the Jews and now gives Paul permission to speak. Paul knows that King Agrippa is familiar with Jewish custom. He gives an account of his history as a Pharisee and of his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. He recounts that Jesus told him that he is being sent to the Jews and Gentiles “to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Paul proclaims that he has been faithful to the vision declaring to Jews and Gentiles that they should repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance. This is why the Jews are against him. He then entreats Agrippa to believe as well as any others who are listening. Agrippa, Festus and Bernice agree that Paul has done nothing wrong. Ironically, because Paul appealed to the emperor he is not able to be set free.

Paul states so well what the good news is all about: turning from darkness to light, receiving forgiveness and afterward doing deeds consistent with repentance. This is only possible through Jesus Christ. It is news that is hard for some to accept and challenges their senses and logic, but it is the only way to salvation.

Numbers 36 concludes the book with an inquiry regarding the inheritance. One of the men in the clan of Manasseh only has daughters. It is pointed out to Moses that if the daughters marry someone from another tribe the inheritance will pass to the other tribe. God commands that in households where there are only daughters they must marry within their ancestral tribe in order to keep the land within that tribe. The daughters in question obey the Lord’s commands and the inheritance remains in the clan.

Congratulations, you have finished yet another book. We now move to the last book of the Torah, the Law.

Deuteronomy 1 opens in the first day of the eleventh month of the fortieth year that the Israelites have been in the wilderness. Moses speaks to the Israelites and declares that they are as numerous as the stars in the sky. The covenant with Abraham has been fulfilled. He offers them a blessing that they will continue to multiply. He then gives them an account of the last part of the journey they had made. Moses reminds them that in Horeb he determined they were too numerous for him to lead alone. He told each tribe to choose men who are wise to be their leaders. They command at various levels: thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.  These leaders judge disputes among the people. If a case is too hard it may be brought to Moses but otherwise they have been charged with this duty.

Moses reminds them of the time when they sent spies into the land of the Amorites and they were afraid to fight. He had reminded them of the fact that god had carried them this far and would continue to carry them into the Promised Land but they did not trust the Lord. It was then the God declared that none of that generation would enter the Promised Land.

Only Caleb and Joshua had faith and were chosen to be able to go into the land with the next generation. Moses reminds the people that even he was prohibited to go into the Promised land because of their doubt.  Trying to prove themselves the people decided to go against the Amorites but it was without God’s blessing and they did not succeed.

Psalm 32 speaks of those who have been forgiven. When we do not confess our sin we suffer, the guilt consumes us. But when we confess our sin, release it to the Lord, and receive the forgiveness He offers, we are renewed. We experience God’s sustaining love.

In Numbers 34 God establishes the boundaries of the Promised Land. He also assigns leaders of each tribe.

In Numbers 35 God instructs that each tribe is to give some towns to the Levites. These include towns of refuge where someone who accidentally kills another may flee for protection. The killer must remain in the town until the high priest dies, then he may return home. If he leaves before the priest dies and is found by the avenger of the person killed he may be killed without any guilt.

In Acts 25 Festus becomes governor. He hears a complaint against Paul. They want him to come to trial in Jerusalem. Paul appeals to remain in Caesarea and plead before the emperor. Festus agrees to these terms. King Agrippa comes to Caesarea and Festus presents Paul’s case to the king. Festus presents that the Jews do not have a civil case but rather one that involves religious matters. Agrippa decides to hear Paul’s case before sending him to the emperor.

The last two days’ readings in both Testaments are preparing us for what is to come.

In Numbers 32 The Gadites and Reubenites decide to stay on the other side of the Jordan and not claim the inheritance in the land of Canaan. They ask Moses for permission to do so. Moses says that in order to do this they must fight for the land of Canaan with the other Israelites. Then they can keep the land to the east of the Jordan River. The Gadites and Reubenites promise to join the others in battle.

Numbers 33 gives an account of the journey from Egypt to Canaan. Before the Israelites cross into Canaan God advises them to drive out all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all the stone and cast idols and demolish all their worship sites. The land will be apportioned by the size of their tribes and clans. If they do not drive out all the inhabitants God says that they will have trouble in the land.

Acts 24 opens with the high priest Ananias coming before Felix the governor with his complaint against Paul. Felix did not turn Paul over to the Jews but kept him in prison for two years. At this point Felix is no longer governor.

Numbers 30 deals with vows made by men and women. Men who make a vow to the Lord are obligated to keep that vow. On the other hand, women who make a vow to the Lord and are married or still living at home are under the authority of the man who has charge over them. If, when they hear about the vow, do not say anything, the women may keep their vow. But, if the men disapprove, the women will be released from the vow without consequence. If the men hear of the vow and say nothing at the time of hearing, but later disapprove of the vow, the men will bear the guilt of breaking the vow. Widowed or divorced women may make and keep their own vows; they are not under the authority of any man.

It seems as though God is dealing with a situation that came up in dealing with family issues. While in our society it seems unfair for a man to have authority over a woman, at that time men did control the affairs of women. What these statutes do is protect the women from judgment if they are not to blame for having to go back on a vow or pledge they have made to the Lord. God will not find them guilty.

Numbers 31 tells of a battle with the Midianites. God chooses the number of warriors to send into battle. The Israelites obey God and win the battle. God tells them how to apportion the spoils, dividing the captives and the booty. Any objects that have been taken must be purified before using them.

Again, our current day senses are upset by the talk of war and the ravages of war. It is though the means God used to strengthen His chosen people and bring them into the Promised Land. We do see that although Balaam spoke for the Lord earlier in protecting the Israelites from battle, he was responsible for having Midianite women entice Israelite men which resulted in their disobeying God’s law. He is punished by death as are the women who could entice the men further. God wants the people to remain pure and not be corrupted by temptation either in the form of people or of things.

In acts 23 Paul is standing before the council. He tells them that he is teaching about the hope of the resurrection of the dead whish causes a dispute between the Sadducees who do not believe in resurrection and the Pharisees who do. The argument gets violent and the tribune who brought Paul before the Council removes him from the melee. Forty members of the council devise a plan to get rid of Paul. Paul’s nephew hears about the plot and tells the tribune of the plan. Because Paul is a Roman citizen, the tribune sends him to governor Felix for protection.

In Numbers 28 and 29 God repeats the requirements for offerings each week, each month and on festival days. Each of the animals to be offered must be without blemish, no fault of any kind. Grain offerings and drink offerings are also offered. God also repeats His instruction regarding those days on which the people do not work. Moses tells the Israelites everything God commands.

You have probably figured this out already but while I am referring to God as God, the laws are given by YHWH. YHWH is the one who met with Moses in the burning bush and has been with him the entire time. YHWH is the personal name and personal aspect of God. He is the one who walked in the garden with Adam and Eve, and the one who spoke to the patriarchs. I believe that YHWH is the second person of the Trinity, who became Jesus of Nazareth and walked among us. He is the one who wants a personal relationship with us even now.

In Psalm 31 the writer seeks refuge in the Lord. He acknowledges that the Lord has provided protection in the past and asks that He continue to deliver him from his enemies. Because God has been faithful in the past he knows God will be faithful still. The writer encourages all who wait for the Lord to be strong and courageous.