Deuteronomy 4-6 (By Rev. Deacon Margaret Friesen)

What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 4:6
 
OBSERVATION

• Remember the laws I have already given you.
• Moses reviews the wilderness journey with the new generation who will be the people to enter the promised land. Moses also reviews the actions that led to the previous generation being denied entry to the new land.
• Review of commandments and laws given to the people at Mt. Sinai.
• Scouting (12 people) expedition to new land led to more fear on part of 10/12 but optimism on part of 2/12 – Caleb and Joshua
• Destruction of people and homes

 
INTERPRETATION

• As indicated in the introduction to the book of Deuteronomy, this last book of the Torah describes the transition period from the wilderness to the promised land.
• I’ve noticed that a phrase frequently used in Scripture is: “Remember”—“Remember the day…the Lord brought us out of Egypt, remember when the Lord led us through the wilderness by cloud and by fire…”.  In this case, Moses used “remember” to review the law given to Moses and taught to the whole assembly. The purpose of the review was to teach the new generation so they would learn to revere God and teach these truths to their children.
• It is beyond me to try to fully understand God’s commands to completely destroy the people in the promised land before Hebrew people could move in. Although I do understand the requirement for the people to overcome the “old world” in order to begin their life in the “new land”, I don’t understand why the means used for that were so violent.

 
APPLICATION

• I find it very encouraging when meeting with my house group or meeting new people to hear their stories of what God has been doing in their lives in the past weeks or months. It is also encouraging for me to review what God has been doing in my life.

• Re: violence and destruction: I usually take these aspects of the scripture I don’t understand, as though lifting a big sack, give them back to the Lord Jesus and say something like, “I don’t understand, Jesus, but I trust you and give myself to you”, as I let this sack of non-understanding roll to the foot of the cross.

 
QUESTION
Take some time to review how God has been present in your life from childhood until the present day. Do this in the context of a conversation with Jesus where you ask Jesus to bring to your mind where and when he was active in your childhood, your adolescence, as a young adult, middle-age adult and older adult, and in your old age. Then take some time to journal this and thank God for his presence.
 
PRAYER
Oh Lord, our God, you have given us this good land as our heritage. May we prove ourselves a people mindful of your generosity and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education and a way of life that glorifies our Father in heaven. When troubled times come, do not let our trust in you fail. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
 
SONG
“Goodness of God” by Bethel Music