Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 32-34
Devotional Thought:
In Deuteronomy 31, God exposes the cause of the apostasy that caused Israel to stray. It was a combination of both the pagan influence of the society and the personal prosperity within the land. (vs. 20) When I think of America, I cannot help but see the same causes as the foundation for the apostasy we see today. In chapter 32 we find God asking Moses and Joshua to record a song that would warn the next generation and every future generation about the consequences of idolatry. It starts with an autobiography of God. First, he mentions the greatness of God’s character. “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (vs. 4) Second, he mentions the greatness of God’s care. “So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.” (vs. 12-14) Third, he mentions the greatness of God’s chastening. “They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods… They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not… Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. When the LORD saw it, he abhorred them… He said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.” (vs. 16-20) Fourth, he mentions the greatness of God’s concern. “For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!…For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted… let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.” (vs. 28-38) God concludes this song with a chilling statement. “See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.” (vs. 39-40) Moses is at the end of his life and exhorts the children of Israel to believe the greatness of God and trust fully in Him. He is about to accept the consequences of His lack of belief in God’s plan, and he desires that Israel would learn from his sin. How important it is that we teach our children and grandchildren about the greatness of God, the importance of obeying His commands, and the deceitfulness of idolatry.
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help to see your greatness. Help me to live my life in such a way that others are convinced of your greatness.
• Lord, please help me to teach my family, church, and community about the deceitfulness of idolatry and the delight of your greatness.
• Thank you for loving me, caring for me, chastening me, and being concerned about me. I am so grateful that your thoughts of me are good and not evil. It is a joy to know you have my best interest in mind at all times.