Can a whole nation miss out on God’s best?

Sad but true. It is heart-rending to read God’s irreversible verdict on the whole community of Israelites in Deuteronomy 1:35:

“Not a single one of these people, this whole evil generation, will see the good land I swore to give to your ancestors,” (Deuteronomy 1:35, CJB)

One whole generation never tasted God’s best for them. They were moving along fine until they reached the entrance to the fulfillment of God’s promises. Everything fell apart from there. 

The cause? They refused to enter in! It was theirs for the taking but no one wants to rise up in faith to conquer their promised land except Joshua and Caleb. Only these two enjoyed the blessings offered on the other side. (More about them later)

(Source: http://www.harleypinon.com/exodus_17water_from_the_rock.htm)

Here was their situation. They reached Kadesh-Barnea - the border of the promised land most likely within the first two years of their journey. (Deut. 1:19) Then they sent 12 spies to secretly survey the land for forty days. (Deut. 1:22-24, Numbers 13:21-25) The spies came back with glowing reports. God’s description of a land flowing with milk and honey was absolutely true. (Deut. 1:25) 

But then ten out of the twelve spies effectively demoralized everyone in the community from even trying to get in. They gave up at the last minute. (Deut. 1:26-29)

What went wrong?

I believe this disaster did not develop overnight. It began way back at the beginning of their exodus. It came by stages, one leading to the next.

1. They lacked trust in God (Deut. 1:28)

After hundreds of years of cruel slavery, God sent Moses back to Egypt to set their exodus into motion. At first they believed and even worshipped God fervently for His wonderful promises (Exodus 4:31) But at the first stroke of opposition, they were overcome by a sense of helplessness due to their impossible situation. 

It was a breeding ground for God’s miracles. But instead of becoming better, they became bitter.(Exodus 5:20-21) After Moses prayed, God revealed to them His name - YaHVeH (God’s covenant name to assure them that He will never leave them nor forsake them). Furthermore, He gave them powerful promises but they no longer believed in the Lord. (Exodus 6:9) In spite of this, the Lord faithfully carried out their deliverance even though they were unfaithful. (2 Timothy 2:13)

When God gives us a promise, things often turn for the worse before they become better.

Again, in Kadesh-Barnea, they faced the impossible. And yet again, they did not believe the Lord was able or good enough to fulfill His good promises even after much reassurance from God Himself (Deut. 1:29-33). This time, the Lord no longer helped them. 

Often times the Lord gives us a second chance to pass our tests by arranging the same situation at another time. Deja vu. God repeated the test but they remained hardened in their hearts.

Their lack of trust in a good and awesome God showed that they failed to develop a personal relationship with Him. After about two years of making Himself known through mighty signs, wonders, miracles and awesome promises, they still did not see God in the midst of their circumstances. 

Mind you, their assessment of their 'impossible' situation was accurate. “The people are bigger and taller than we are; the cities are great and fortified up to the sky; and finally, we have seen ‘Anakim (the dreaded giants) there.’” (Deuteronomy 1:28, CJB)

Their mistake was not in correctly assessing their circumstances but in allowing the ‘impossible’ to erode their confidence in God. They focused on the problem and what they cannot do rather than focusing on God and what He can do. They forgot that, “with God nothing is impossible.” (Matthew 19:26,  Luke 1:37)

It’s just mind-boggling that the daily manifestations God’s presence did not change them a bit.

How can they disregard the cloud by day and fire by night that supernaturally protected them from the blistering heat during the day and biting cold during the night? What about the manna that miraculously appeared regularly at their doorstep? Their clothes and shoes that did not grow old? The multitude of quails that came to them when they craved for meat? And the ten plagues in Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea? What about God’s awesome power displayed when the whole mountain of Sinai was glowing red hot as He touched down?  How easily people forget when they focus on the problem!

The same thing happens to a person who is eaten up by worry. You must never allow worry to consume you. When we face impossible odds, we must bear in mind that God is at work even in those very circumstances. He will display His power that you may know He is God. Never allow problems to overwhelm you.

Signs of lack of trust

- You magnify your problems instead of God who is able.

- You point your finger at others rather than facing problems with an eye of faith.

- You blame others when things turn for the worse rather than believing God is at work.

Problem #1 is reversible. 

Lack of trust can be solved by seeing God who sits high and lifted up above all the earth, meditating on God’s words to know Him better, and dwelling on His promises.

2. They gave in to fear. (Deut. 1:29-31)

Their situation was not only unattainable, they also said that the Canaanite residents were fearsome. True? Yes. But God Almighty was far more fearsome than all their enemies combined! They only needed to look up and see the pillar of cloud or the pillar of fire.

When the Israelites marched out of Egypt, they formed companies according to their tribes and poised themselves as a people marching off to war complete with banners identifying each tribe.

(Source: http://www.larochestonebook.com/speculum%20vee%20images/israel-marching-with-miskan.jpg)

Disclaimer: I do not necessarily agree with the contents of the websites where the pictures were taken.

(Source: http://www.biblestudy.org/maps/map-israel-wilderness-camp-after-leaving-egypt.gif)

But by the time they arrived on the borders of Canaan, their heart sank at the news of dreadful giants in the land. On the outside, they still look like an impressive army. But inside the camp, their courage was melting away.

What happened? Along the way, they lost their sense of God’s presence. The Lord never left. It’s just that the Israelites forgot that God was with them all the time! They did not develop a personal walk with the Lord. They were wary of Him. Therefore, they asked Moses to do the talking with God in their behalf and let Moses relay to them whatever God said. (Exodus 20:18-21) 

Relying on others to present your prayers to God is not a good way to cultivate intimacy with Him.

Hence, when problems hit, they panicked. This was a result of not knowing Him personally. They did not actively involve the Lord in their day to day activities. God was there with them but they acted as if He wasn’t there. They took God’s presence for granted.

Signs of giving in to fear: 

- When you lose hope over problems and worry gets the best of you.

- When you grossly undervalue God’s promises. The Israelites said, “What sort of place is it that we’re heading for?” (Deut. 1:28, CJB) They acknowledged that it was a great place to live in but in the next breath say, “What sort of a place is it anyway?”

- When you refuse to acknowledge God’s presence in your circumstances.

Problem #2 is reversible. 

Fear gives way to courage when you spend time in prayer and fellowship with God. (Joshua 1:7-9) Joshua’s fellowship with God gave him courage. God became his encourager. David said, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” (Psalm 23:4, NLT)

3. They nurtured distrust. (Deut. 1:32)

When fear gripped their hearts, they still did not call on the Lord. So, they plunged deeper into a growing distrust in God.

God’s words were very affectionate, “Don’t be fearful, don’t be afraid of them. Adonai your God, who is going ahead of you, will fight on your behalf, just as he accomplished all those things for you in Egypt before your eyes, and likewise in the desert, where you saw how Adonai your God carried you, like a man carries his child, along the entire way you traveled until you arrived at this place.” (Deut. 1:29-31)

What a privilege! No other nation on earth ever experienced this kind of careful attention from the Creator of heaven and earth. 

Remember that God made a contract with the whole community. This meant that God bound Himself in a written agreement. Their “contract signing” happened at Mount Sinai when the Lord came down “in Person.” The terms of the contract was the ten commandments and the laws.  One of the great benefits of that contract was God’s promise of a good land to enjoy. God also promised to walk with them through the barren wilderness. This should have been enough to trust Him to bring them to the Promised land.

“Yet in this matter you don’t trust Adonai your God, even though He went ahead of you, seeking out places for you to pitch your tents and showing you which way to go, by fire by night and by a cloud during the day.” (Deut. 1:32-33)

Signs of a growing distrust in God

- When you constantly complain (Deut. 1:26).

- When you question (at least in your heart) God’s ability to fulfill His promises.

- When you don’t believe God to act faithfully in your behalf.

Problem #3 is reversible. 

Allow the power of God’s word to destroy false assumptions and false beliefs in your mind. Choose to believe in God. Resist the temptation to complain or to question God’s ability to save you.

4. They developed a culture of unbelief. (Deut. 1:34, 27)

Their distrust in God and His promises led them to question God’s motives. They attacked God’s character and integrity. They said:

“It’s because Adonai hated us that he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, only to hand us over to the Emori (Amorites) to destroy us.” (Deut. 1:27) What a way to say!

They were saying that God cannot be trusted. He was not really a loving and caring God that He projects Himself to be, and that God really wanted to punish them and destroy them. They were also saying that God did not mean what He said and therefore they can disregard His words.

Unbelief is not just a lack of faith. That is doubt. Unbelief is an attitude that opposes or rejects whatever God says. It’s a spirit that questions God’s motives. Unbelief puts God to the test by undermining God’s character.

What is sinister about unbelief is that it does not deny God’s power to perform miracles. In fact, unbelief affirms miracles but it says that God displays His power only for His selfish ends. Unbelief attacks God’s integrity.

Worse, unbelief can be heard by God even when you discuss them in the privacy of your own home. “…and in your tents you complained, ‘It’s because Adonai (the Lord) hated us…” (Deuteronomy 1:27, CJB)

Verse 34-35 says, “Adonai heard what you were saying, became angry and swore, ‘Not a single one of these people, this whole generation, will see the good land I swore to your ancestors.’”

Actually, what they were saying was, “We wish we had died in the land of Egypt! Or that we had died here in the desert! Why is Adonai bringing us into this land…?” (Exodus 14:2-3, CJB) God responded, “None of those who treated me with contempt will see it…. “As surely as you have spoken in my ears, I will do this to you.” (Exodus 14:23,28) [Kindly read the whole chapter of Exodus 14 to see the context.]

Signs of developing unbelief

- When you begin to question God’s goodness in your life even though He already showed Himself faithful. 

- When you reject God’s words and promises even though the most sensible thing to do is receive and believe them. 

- When you are no longer willing to believe God’s promises.

- When you harden your heart and no longer follow God.

Beware of the spirit or attitude of unbelief. It is very dangerous. It is like walking on thin ice. Disaster is waiting to happen at any moment. 

Danger! Problem #4 is irreversible.

Consequences are final and executory. No negotiations are accepted. This will cause you to miss out on God's best in your life.

5. They encouraged rebellion in their camp. (Deut. 1:41-43)

They added rebellion to their unbelief. Unbelief ripens into a lifestyle of disobedience. And persistent disobedience is rebellion.

One also needs to note the undercurrents the spawned all these problems. They had a very negative culture. Moses described them as “burdensome, bothersome and quarrelsome” people. (Deut. 1:12, CJB) Burdensome means they were such a difficult people to lead. Bothersome means they were always causing or looking for trouble. Quarrelsome means they love to argue, dispute, fight and war with words. Any nation with this kind of culture is in a self-destruct mode. No wonder they were not ready to claim God’s best for them. They lacked the character to possess the promised land.

Furthermore, there was something else that stole their heart away- idol worship. 

Can you imagine? They erected an idol while Moses was receiving God’s signed contract with the Israelites in Mount Sinai. Their unfaithfulness directly under God's nose lasted for forty years. Talking about God's extreme mercy and loving-kindness!

Amos 5:25-26

“Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, Israel? No, you served your pagan gods - Sakkuth your king god and Kaiwan your star god - the images you made for yourselves.” (NLT)

They were married to God but then committed spiritual adultery at the same time!

The only thing that was going for them was God's promise to their ancestors- Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Other than that, they would have been wiped off the face of the earth a long time ago.

Signs of rebellion against God

- When you take matters in your hands. You insist on doing things your way. After God forfeited their entry to the Promised Land, the Israelites decided on their own to go in. God told them they will never win in battle because He was no longer with them. They went ahead anyway! (Deut. 1:41-43)

- When you have misplaced affections. You hate what God loves and enjoy what God hates.

- When you practice and encourage disobedience to God. You think you can mock God and consider it shrewd to live an ungodly life while believing you can enjoy God’s benefits at the same time.

- When you stubbornly refuse to obey God. You presume that what you want is what God wants and delude yourself into thinking that if God doesn’t want it, you will eventually have it anyway.

- When you fight and put God to the test. You provoke God to anger by your corrupt ways.

It is important to point out that the call for obedience is only for a limited time. When you missed it, you missed it forever. God commanded the Israelites, “Go up and conquer the land.” They would not go in. And then after they provoked God to anger enough to send them back to the wilderness, they decided to “obey” the Lord! The offer was good until it lasted. Their call to obedience has already passed. 

God commanded them to turn back towards the Red Sea (after all that's what they wanted, Exodus 14:3-4). But they insisted on "obeying" their wishes, strapped their belts and went off to war. Needless to say, the enemy crushed them into powder.

The scripture comments, “You returned and cried before Adonai, but Adonai neither listened to what you said nor paid you any attention.” (Deut. 1:45, CJB)

Double Danger! Problem #5 is irreversible. 

This is a point of no return. Whatever flicker of hope remains in problem #4 (unbelief), rebellion completely snuffs it out. Lucifer was guilty of rebellion when he led an uprising against God. (Isaiah 14:12-15) The Pharisees in Jesus’ day were guilty of the same. (Matthew 24:29-36) Lucifer and the Pharisees (in Jesus’ day) were judged. “‘There is no peace,’ says the LORD, ‘for the wicked.’” (Isaiah 48:22, NKJV)

When you cross this line, your very soul is in danger.

"It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:31, NLT)

Let none of you who read this ever fall into the diabolical trap of unbelief and rebellion. May the Lord have mercy on us all, amen. 

Your “Promised Land” is your God-given destiny. It is all of God’s best for your life. When you pursue your calling, you will walk in God’s fullness of life- a life full of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Endeavor to enter in to your promised land. Moses took the painful but necessary review of their past mistakes to straighten their path toward the promised land.

Let us imitate Christ's attitude, "Oh My dearest Father, not what I want, but what you want." (Matthew 26:39)

May we walk in a straight path, though narrow, may we stay in His righteous ways, amen:)

(Deuteronomy chapter 1, part 3 of 5)

(Re-writing Deuteronomy 005)

Scribbles

Aquila's first attempt at writing.... on top of her daddy's notes!

My 2-year old Aquila asked me what I was doing. I told her I was writing the book of Deuteronomy.

Then I proceeded to open an account for blogging. While busy with my laptop, Aquila slipped in with her orange color pen and scribbled doodles over my precious writing. Displeased, I asked, “Aquila, what are you doing?”

She said, “uhmmm… writing…. Look daddy! I'm writing [a] book.”

It’s a good thing I did not scold her. I would have missed a precious moment with my daughter. Kids really do imitate their parents. It’s a scary thought. I pray that God would give grace to Aquila’s parents to be good examples for her to emulate.

I hugged her, kissed her and laid my hands on her head declaring, “Aquila, I bless you with the mind of Christ. May you fulfill all of God’s destiny for your life, in Jesus name, amen.”

Feeling more energized, I got back to setting up my blogspot and really hoping it wouldn’t be as complicated as I imagined. I’m a little overwhelmed by http’s, html’s, rss, web themes, pages, etc.

Looking back now, my feelings of helplessness were at best exaggerated. I thanked the Lord for blogger.dom for making it easier for non-techie guys like me. Also praised for my cousin Remo who encouraged me to start writing online. He’s become my “Jonathan.”

In life, we need little “pushes” to spur us on to fulfilling God’s call. They are God’s gifts to us. I have my wife Roj who’s with me all they way, lively daughter Aquila, and cousin Remo to get me started on my blogs.

How about you? Who are your encouragers? Take some time to appreciate them today. Hugs, kisses, words of appreciation or eating out would not be a bad idea. Have a God-filled day!

Firmly Established in the Truth

“On the first day of the eleventh month of the fortieth year, Moshe (Moses) spoke to the people of Isra’el, reviewing everything Adonai (The Lord) had ordered him to tell them…There, beyond the Yarden (Jordan), in the land of Mo’av, Moshe took it upon himself to expound this Torah…” (Deuteronomy 1:3,5, CJB) 

This was the first part of Moses’ three major speeches to the nation before he passed on to the next life. Love for Israel motivated Moses to teach them again the truths of God’s laws.

(Source: http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/2011/03/march-23rd-one-year-bible-readings.html)

God’s book of the law is not a dead contract or a lifeless letter but a living covenant directed to every individual in their generation. Every generation needs to have a freshly anointed presentation of God’s truth. Moses expounded God’s laws to this new generation of Israelites to secure God’s covenant for themselves and treasure God’s words as their own.

Spiritual leaders, therefore, need to be wise, understanding and knowledgeable to teach God’s truth in their own era and prepare the next generation.

Apostle Peter reminded the saints again after about 30 years since the birth of Christianity. Many of the original disciples had already died of martyrdom. Peter himself knew that he was next. Strikingly similar to Moses, Peter reiterated the gospel to these new generation Christians. They needed to hear God’s words afresh.

“For this reason, I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you already have. And I consider it right to keep stirring you up with reminders, as long as I am in the tent of this body. I know that I will soon lay aside this tent of mine, as the Lord Yeshua the Messiah has made clear to me. And I will do my best to see that after my exodus, you will be able to remember these things at all times.” (2 Peter 1:12-15, CJB)

Moses and Peter had great feelings for the next generation to succeed. Therefore, they took great efforts to remind the present generation about their rich heritage (covenants), how to behave in the world and what to expect in the years to come. 

Right after addressing the Israelites, Moses climbed up Mount Nebo, had a glorious look at the promised land he so yearned to enter, and then died. He was 120 years old, with eyes undimmed and vigor undiminished. God Himself buried Moses in the valley of Moab. (Deuteronomy 34:5-7)

Peter became a martyr for the Lord Jesus shortly after writing his second letter to the saints.

“Jerome said that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.” (Fox’s Book of Martyrs)

“Peter died on 13 October AD 64 during the festivities on the occasion of the “dies imperii” of Emperor Nero.” (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter) 

  

(Source: http://www.shafe.co.uk/art/Caravaggio_The_Crucifixion_of_St_Peter_1600-1601-_Rome-_Cerasi_Chapel.asp)

Peter asserted that they were established firmly in the truth they already have. To be clear, truth is truth unchanging- relevant at all times and in all seasons. But at the same time, truth is also unfolding. In each season, God emphasizes a truth as the Church needs it. For this reason, we must walk in the truth He is shedding light upon while firmly holding on to the whole counsel of God.

Truth, then, must have fresh application for us today. And each new generation must receive for themselves God’s laws. 

I personally believe that God is now stirring the church to get back on her knees and pray for revival. It is time to seek the Lord.

“I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you.’” (Hosea 10:12, NLT)

It is time to draw near to the Lord with the attitude of humility and repentance.

“Then, if my people, who bear my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, CJB)

Let us be earnest in seeking God's face, to count all things trash in order to gain Christ, to know Him intimately, to experience first hand the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.

If we want our communities to be transformed by the power of the gospel, we must give up our own little kingdoms, renounce self-serving programs and selfish ambitions, and repent of our greed for money, pride and arrogance. 

Let us ask God's mercy and get our ways right back with Jesus. Often times, human hearts smeared by the spirit of the world hinders revival. Let us get out of the way and let the Holy Spirit have His way. Let us be instruments of God as He brings light out of the darkness.

As we renew our consecration to God, He will breathe a fresh wind of holiness, anointing and grace in our lives. The Holy Spirit will write His living words into the intimate pages of our hearts.

Moses said, “Adonai did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us - with us, who are all of us here alive today.” (Deuteronomy 5:3, CJB) 

It is important to note that Moses did not revise God’s laws. With reverential fear, he presented God's laws with a fresh perspective, especially noting the mistakes of the past and warnings for the future with the view of living a full life in their “today.”

I believe the Spirit of the Lord is calling for spiritual leaders to expound the full counsel of God accurately, diligently and lovingly.

For all of us who are recipients of this word, let us emulate the attitude of the Bereans in Acts 17:11:

“These were more fair-minded (noble or open-minded) than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (NKJV)

We need to actively seek God’s word and ask the Holy Spirit to give light to the passages in Scripture then respond accordingly. Humbly turn back when repentance is called for. Obey when obedience is demanded. Believe when His promises come alive. Magnify the Lord when He shows His glory and power. Rejoice when you see His truths aglow in your spirit. Praise Him as the Holy Spirit floods your being.

Be expectant each time you read the Bible. He will communicate His fresh truths to you by bringing life, healing and light. God’s words are spirit and they are life. (John 6:63)

Eat and speak God’s word today:)

“Yes, keep this book of of the Torah (Law) on your lips, and meditate on it day and night, so that you will take care to act according to everything written in it. Then your undertakings will prosper, and you will succeed.” (Joshua 1:8, CJB)

(Deuteronomy chapter 1, part 2 of 5)

(re-writing Deuteronomy 004)

One Step Back, Two Leaps Forward

Prelude to the Promised Land

Often times, we need to step back, reflect and learn from the lessons of the past in order to ensure  our future success. The Israelites failed on their first try. God was ready to empower them but the they were not ready to claim their promised land. They missed their golden opportunity to enjoy God’s best and they wasted thirty-eight long years of bitter living in the howling desert. 

You must be ready when the opportunity comes. If you miss it, it is gone forever.

King Solomon wisely said, “Yet another thing I observed under the sun is that races aren’t won by the swift or battles by the strong, and that food doesn’t go to the wise or wealth to the intelligent or favor to the experts; rather, time and chance rule them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11, CJB)

When time and chance happen (and they will), the person who is best prepared will succeed. There are many people with tremendous talents but miss their golden opportunity to shine. Before someone becomes an acclaimed artist, for instance, one needs to take the disciplines of study, long rehearsals, persistence, ability to learn quickly, being thorough, and to exercise the wisdom of learning from the mistakes of others.

Steve Jobs is an example. When the global market was ripe for an electronic gadget that was slick, user-friendly, seamless apps enriched and filled with glossy features, he was ready with his mac, ipod, iphone and ipad. He did his homework and his ‘apple’ empire conquered the world. Others could have done it since the technology needed to build it was available. But Steve Jobs was the one who went ahead and did it. He therefore single-handedly possessed the ‘promised land’ of electronic and information technology.  Time and chance will favor those who are well-prepared.

In Deuteronomy chapter one, Moses took a great deal of trouble reviewing the bitter lessons of the past to ensure the success of this new generation of Israelites in the promised land. One step back, two leaps forward.

Like a slingshot, you need to pull back hard in order to forcefully advance and hit the mark. The "mark" referred to is all of God’s best for your life. The "mark" of the Israelites was to occupy and enjoy their promised land.

(Source: http://veronikanagy.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/slingshot_sm.jpg)

Personal application: 

Take time to have regular periods of reflection, recounting of God’s blessings, and reviewing your direction. Once a week, during Saturdays or whenever you are free, is a good time to set aside an hour or up to half a day to evaluate on the week that passed, recharge for the next week and refresh your vision and direction from God. The following are questions you may want to ask, "Am I still walking in God's best for my life?" "Is this the direction the Lord wants me to take?" "Am I in the center of God's will?" "Am I still hitting the mark?"

Similarly, set aside a season of prayer and fasting devoted to seeking the Lord, worshiping Him and listening to what He has to say.

Likewise, you may set special times of waiting on the Lord, evaluating and reflecting on your life every year, three years, five years or seven years. These special times of stepping back before moving forward again becomes more significant when we consider that our lives are just too short to be wasted.

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, NKJV)

While we are on the subject of reviewing the past, I believe it is worth studying our nation's history and learning from it. This is also true of church history in local, national and global scale. We could learn what they did right. (A good example is studying worldwide revivals and how they came about.) Or we could correct the mistakes of the past. (We could then intelligently pray for our nation, humble ourselves before God, turn from our wicked ways and seek God's favor. He promised to hear from heaven and heal our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14)

As for your family's history, you may discover sins committed by your parents or ancestors. These sins may have brought a generational curse over your family. Some examples: adultery shows up again and again in the family's history, or violence, alcoholism, gambling, drug addictions, witchcraft, idolatry, etc. You may then intercede in behalf of your family, seek God's forgiveness and ask God's kingdom to come resulting to righteousness and revival in your homes.

Father in heaven, we seek your mercy and grace. Be pleased to renew your awesome works in our generation. Help us learn important lessons in our history, empower us by your Spirit to glorify you daily, and shower us with your favor that we may bring you praise in the earth, in Jesus name, amen.

(Deuteronomy chapter 1, part 1 of 5)

(re-writing Deuteronomy 003)

Why Deuteronomy?

Moses understood by revelation that the children of Israel will eventually forsake The LORD in the subsequent years. But in the last days, they will return to the LORD from being scattered abroad. (See Deuteronomy 4:25-31, 32:1-43)

He then proceeded to re-tell God’s laws that will preserve their unique culture and national identity as God’s treasured possession. The Jews became guardians of God’s laws and eventually became known as the “people of the book.” Perhaps it can be said that the Jews’ devotion to the scriptures saved them from being wiped out completely from the face of the earth.

In Israel’s history, the reading and teaching of the book of Deuteronomy brought mighty revivals resulting to great blessings of salvation, favor and success. Examples were in the days of Ezra/Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8-9), King Josiah (2 Kings 22:23/2 Chronicles 34), King Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:9-10) and King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:6, 2 Chronicles 29-31 especially 2 Chronicles 31:3-4).

Deuteronomy comes from two Greek words ‘deutero’ meaning ‘second’ and ‘nomos’ meaning ‘law.’ It literally means ‘second law.’ It’s not another law but a reiteration of the law.

Its importance stemmed from Moses’ address to the second-generation Israelites since Egypt times. Everyone in the previous generation died in the unforgiving desert except for the faithful and believing  Joshua and Caleb. These second-generation Israelites were either too young or still unborn when the exodus took place. Moses had a real feeling for them and taught them God’s laws "again" in order to ensure their success in the promised land.

In the Hebrew bible, the book of Deuteronomy is called D’varim. It means ‘words.’ This name was taken from the second Hebrew word out of the first line of the book. Why is this? The Jews usually titled the Old Testament books according to the first essential word in the book. For example, Genesis is “B’resheet” in the Hebrew Bible. This book starts with “in the beginning,” which when translated is the single first word “B’resheet.”  The book of Deuteronomy launches with “These are the words.” (source: http://www.gci.org/bible/torah/deut)

Moses at this time was already 120 years old and nearing his death. He wanted the children of Israel to consider the lessons of history and keep God’s words in their hearts. Moses emphasized to them that their success and their very lives depended on this book.

Deuteronomy 32:45-47

When he had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words of my testimony against you today, so that you can use them in charging your children to be careful to obey all the words of this Torah (book of the law). For this is not a trivial matter for you; on the contrary, it is your life! Through it, you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess. (CJB)

In the same way, I believe we will do well to heed the words of this book by diligently obeying them according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Although this book was written for the Israelites, we can also apply its precepts in our lives. Through faith in Christ, the blessings spelled out in this book are also available to us. (Galatians chapter 3 especially verses 8, 9, 14 and 29)

What God does to Israel, He will do the same to those who obey His laws whether an individual or a nation.

Personally, I look forward to experiencing revival and fresh reverence for God’s words as I re-write this book. “For this is not a trivial matter for [us]; on the contrary, it is [our] life!”

May God Almighty bless His handiwork and glorify His holy name in our lives, in Jesus’ mighty Name, amen:)

(re-writing Deuteronomy 002)

Re-writing the Bible's Book of the Law

As a Christian, I have read the book of Deuteronomy several times already. Then the passage in Deuteronomy 17:18-19 kept turning in my mind and can't get it off.

“ …he is to write a copy of this Torah (Law) for himself in a scroll, from the one the cohanim (priests) and L’vi’im (Levites) use. It is to remain with him, and he is to read it every day, as long as he lives; so that he will learn to fear Adonai (The LORD) his God and keep all the words of this Torah (Book of the Law) and these laws and obey them…” [taken from the Complete Jewish Bible]

Kings in Israel were instructed to make a copy of this book in their own handwriting and meditate on it every day. The Lord also instructed Joshua to recite it every day, meditate on it day and night, and never to turn away from it. This will ensure his great success in all his endeavors. Joshua lived 110 years of glorious victory and success (Joshua 24:29).  Jesus pulverized Satan and his temptations by simply reciting exclusively from this book! (Deuteronomy 8:3; Deuteronomy 6:16; and Deuteronomy 6:13 and 10:20)

I figured there must be great benefit in re-writing this book. I am not attempting to improve on the writings (to rewrite) for that would be unthinkable and sacrilegious indeed. I am writing a copy of the book in my own handwriting (to re-write) hoping to learn and experience God’s words in a whole new way. Copying a whole book is a new experience altogether.

The Complete Jewish Bible version is used to have a feel of the Jewishness of this book. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew with a Jewish cultural background. I am not trying to be Jewish but an understanding of the Bible’s Jewishness may show new treasures I have not seen before.

My tools for the new journey:

Bible, Notebook, ballpen and computer to blog.

Writing is different from reading. If that isn’t obvious, I look forward to the experiences in reading, copying and writing the book of Deuteronomy. This process is much slower which will give me time to think while writing. Slow but penetrating.

To reflect, it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to write down God’s laws in our hearts.

Jeremiah 31:33-34

“For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” says Adonai (The LORD). “I will put my Torah (book of the law) within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (CJB) See also Jeremiah 31:34; 32:40)

  Just as it is painfully slower to write a book with your own handwriting, it takes great patience and love for the Holy Spirit to manifest Jesus Christ - the Word of God in us. Every stroke of God's Word is lovingly penned inside us with great care until His image is formed in our hearts. This alone gives us great appreciation on the patient, gentle and loving work of the Holy Spirit in a believer. O Lord, write your laws in my heart, amen:)

What shall be the rewards of this journey?

I believe there are much more treasures to discover. Let the journey begin:)

(re-writing Deuteronomy 001)