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The Book of Deuteronomy No 2 05/05/2021
Derrick Harrison 05/05/2021
The Book of Deuteronomy No 2
An Outline of Deuteronomy I.
PROLOGUE (1:1-5)
II.
FIRST DISCOURSE: God’s faithfulness (past) (1:6-4:43)
A. B. C. D.
From Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea, (1:6-2:1). From Edom to the Plains of Moab, (2:2-3:29). Exhortation to Obedience, (4:1-40). Cities of Refuge, (4:41-43).
III.
SECOND DISCOURSE: The Covenant way of Life (present) (4:44-26:19) A. Introduction (4:44-49). B. The great Commandment (5:1-11:32). C. Detailed Stipulations (12:1-26:19).
IV. A. B. C. D. E.
THIRD DISCOURSE: Covenant Sanctions (future) (27:1-31:30) Ratification Ceremony – covenant (27:1-26). Blessings and Curses (28:1-68). The Covenant Oath (29:1-30:14). Call to Decision (30:15-20). Leadership &the Law (31:1-30). APPENDIX (32:1-34:12)
A. The Song of Moses (32:1-47). B. The Testament of Moses (32:48-33:29). C. The Death of Moses (34:1-12).
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Introduction to Deuteronomy The Hebrew title for the books is simply “the words” because the opening sentence begins with this phrase “these are the words” but they are the words of Moses and not God as the previous 2 books began. In the Greek there are two words which form the word “Deuteronomy” – deutero, which means second and nomos, which means law, hence the title, “Second-Law” which gives us the clue to its contents. Leviticus and Numbers were spoken/dictated by God from the tabernacle (Lev.1:1; Num.1:1), except for the narrative material which was written by Moses with God at the centre of the narrative. Moses spoke and then wrote Deuteronomy to the assembled Israelites, “These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan” (1:1), and he picks up where he left off at the end of Numbers, on the plains of Moab during the last week of his life. His first objective was to ratify the covenant which was first entered into at Sinai and is now to be ratified with a second generation of Israelites who would have been little children when they came out of Egypt and crossed the Red Sea, his second objective was to teach them the Laws of God and its accompanying legislation before they enter Canaan (there are 613 laws in all, according to David Pawson). There was one significant addition, not only does Moses repeat his teaching about the Law but he adds a new commandment to the original ten and he also makes his own comments and reflections on those past years, - this is particularly interesting for us to read. What is also of interest is the way in which he prepares and exhorts the Israelites for the conquest of Canaan by three lengthy speeches, these addresses survey God’s saving acts on behalf of the previous generation and he summarizes the laws of the covenant and the repercussions of disobedience. The first attempt at invasion had failed, hence the loss of the entire first generation of New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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Israelites except Joshua and Caleb. This second attempt cannot be allowed to fail, and Moses’ preparations are thorough and comprehensive, but he not only teaches and informs but he also inspires and envisions his listeners to conquer the Land promised to Abraham (Gen.12:1, 7; 13:15; 15:7; 17:8 etc.). Their fathers had witnessed the miraculous judgments of God in Egypt, they had experienced their last night there when the destroying angel swept through Egypt killing the first-born of man and beast and they had witnessed the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea, - the most powerful picture of salvation in the OT when Israel was saved from the advancing chariots of Pharaoh after which they had entered into covenant with the LORD at Sinai. Similarly, this second generation are about to see the miraculous parting of the Jordon river which was in flood and impassable at this time of the year and then they will celebrate the Passover in the new land. The “new land the LORD your God gives you” is mentioned about 40 times. Immediately before they break-up the camp the covenant is ratified with this second generation of Israelites. It was first established at Sinai and therefore it only needs ratifying here and its terms re-enforced strongly as they unitedly affirm the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience (ch.27), which had originally been spoken 40 years before. The benefits and the sanctions were just like a treaty drawn up by kings - when treaties were broken there were reprisals and often sanctions against offending nations. The breaking of the covenant and the consequent “curses” explains much about the subsequent history of the nation of Israel. The strategy of the Lord was to destroy the nations of Canaan due to their depravity and sin (7:1-5), but tragically Israel was influenced by their sinfulness and instead of being God’s instrument of destruction, New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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to drive out the Canaanites they became victims of their idolatry. They had been chosen by God, not because of any natural qualities or superior status because they had none! – but simply because he loved them (7:7-8). God had given them laws to live righteously so that the nations could be instructed by God’s laws, but of course they failed to live according to God’s laws. Deuteronomy is spoken at a crucial time in Israel’s history and was spoken at the end of Moses’ life as he entered the last week of his life. At the end of the book, he died in the presence of the Lord.
The Content of Deuteronomy i.
PROLOGUE (1:1-5)
Moses specifies the exact location where Israel is encamped and speaks of the successful military battles which ensued on the way, immediately prior to setting up camp. It was 40 years since they left mount Horeb, a journey which they could have walked in 11 days! (v2). Instead, it took their parents 13,780 days. We will discover what Moses thought about that later. ii.
FIRST DISCOURSE: God’s faithfulness (past) (1:6-4:43)
Moses immediately sets about explaining the law (v5). To do his he recalls their history, their departure from Sinai, the appointment of tribal leaders and judges. He recalls the refusal of the spies to advance on the conquest of Canaan. One can only begin to imagine what was going through the mind of Moses as he recalled the rebellion of their father’s generation. This account of Moses is different from the account in Numbers, where God initiates the plan of conquest. Now Moses describes the eagerness of the spies to reconnoitre the land, New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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“And every one of you came near to me and said, ‘Let us send men before us, and let them search out the land for us, and bring back word to us of the way by which we should go up, and of the cities into which we shall come” (1:22). Interestingly, he says “every one of you” – Moses identifies the present generation as one with their fathers. It was now up to them as the children of their fathers to reverse the evil done by their parents and to take hold of the opportunity to reverse their choice not to advance on Canaan. Repeatedly, Moses identifies this second generation with their fathers in order that they can repent for their father’s sins. The Lord’s anger against the spies resulted in His vow that not one person of that generation would enter the Promised Land (except of course Joshua and Caleb). Moses also gives a particular slant to his own angry violation of the Lord’s command and tells this younger generation that it was because of Moses’ identification with Israel that the Lord would not let him lead them into Canaan, “The Lord was also angry with me for your sakes, saying, ‘Even you shall not go in there” (v37). Whatever was the cause, Moses submitted to God’s will and diligently prepared them to enter and to live in the Land. The spoken narrative has lost nothing of its immediacy by being written down, it is not difficult to hear and to empathise with Moses as he lays bare his soul. “Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness” (2:1), - and so began 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Actually, Moses does not give a lot of detail about those awful years. As those years come to end, he describes his military victories over those kings who stood in their way and then he asks the Lord to allow him to lead Israel into Canaan. Instead, the Lord tells him to commission Joshua to lead His people into Canaan (3:28).
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Now Moses begins his programme of teaching the law and here again we hear something new about the law, - if you do obey the law then you will, live” (4:1; 8:1) and then he says that to obey the law is their wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations around. Moses recalls their amazing privilege of hearing the voice of God from Sinai. Listen to Moses words, “And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form;1 you only heard a voice. So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone” (4:12-13). This statement is very important for us because it goes to the very core of Christianity and to the heart of Scripture. Everything we know about God has come to us from the words of His mouth, but Moses makes a further point, “but you saw no form.” This statement points to the fact that God has no visible form, in other words, He is invisible. Paul writes, “He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Col.1:15). The fact of God’s invisibility means that man cannot see Him and therefore cannot imagine what He is like and certainly cannot reproduce any tangible likeness to him who we have not seen. This fact totally undermines idolatry and visible images of God, such images are figments of the imagination. This is why idolatry is forbidden in Israel and why Christians have rejected all images of God as they are depicted in art forms.
1
likeness, alikeness, similitude(noun) similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things. "man created God in his own likeness"
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“And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; you only heard a voice” (Deut.4:12). “Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any animal that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth. And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage” (Deut.4:15-19). An image is a tangible likeness of something seen in the material world or something seen in the imaginary world. Idols are the material images of evil spirits; these spirits are described by Paul as “creeping things” (Rom.1:23; Deut.4:18; Ezek.8:10). Satan inhabits the imaginations (Ezek.ch.8). We see how God uses tangible symbols (here He uses fire), especially fire (4:11, 24), to convey meaning about Himself or His words but His invisible form cannot be seen by human eyes. Because of His invisibility, symbols, metaphors, words, and names are very important. Consider those words and symbols which describe the invisible Holy Spirit such as oil, water, wind, and fire. One further point regarding the Spirit, because He is invisible, the gift of tongues takes on an added significance as evidence of His activity. Also, the phenomena of the presence of God, is an indicator that the invisible God is present in New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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Person, so also are the works of God such as healing which demonstrate the activity of the invisible God. When Aaron and Miriam challenged Moses’ authority, the LORD spoke of His deep intimacy with Himself, “I speak with him face to face, Even plainly and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the Lord” (Num.12:8a). In the light of what I have just said, this verse is truly amazing, the Lord says that Moses sees His invisible form. I am reminded of Paul’s words about his experience in the heavenly places, when even after 14 years of reflection he still does not know how to explain what happened, “It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2Cor.12:1-4). If you wish to pursue this further, I suggest you read my teaching module on “The Heart” and the section dealing with the imagination. For us the tangible, material and physical are true realities which we are familiar with. Invisibility, we do not have and therefore we may question the reality of anything that is invisible, but the “spirit” realm is true reality when we think and experience God. The wonder of the incarnation is that God who is eternal Spirit, through His conception in the womb of Mary became truly human and therefore became New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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tangible/visible, material, and physical. John exclaims in wonder, - “we handled Him with our own hands!” When Jesus arose, He endeavoured to convince His disciples that he still had a physical form – “put your fingers in my wounds” He said, and He ate with His disciples. We obviously can reproduce that in various art forms what we see visually, but the invisible is way beyond us because we cannot see the invisible and therefore whatever we produce is the fruit of our imagination, it is imaginary. I love the words of Jesus, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn.4:23-24). Paul describes the descending degeneracy of man as he falls into idolatry, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened ... and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. (Rom.1:20-23). The words of Paul; spring directly from Moses words here in Deut.4:14-19). The very first commandment forbids idolatry (Ex.20:3-5) and Moses repeats the commandment here with the additional material that I have just discussed, New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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“Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which the Lord your God has forbidden you” (4:23). iii. SECOND DISCOURSE: The Covenant Way of Life (present) (4:4426:19) Ch.4:44-49; serves as an introduction and ch.5-11 contains a general statement about the covenant law. Ch12-26 applies the covenant law to Israel society and culture. In 5:1; Moses calls on the nation to listen! He speaks of God making a covenant at Sinai with them! He repeats it a second time here, “The Lord our God made a covenant with US in Horeb. The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with US, those who are here today, all of US who are alive. The Lord talked with YOU face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire” (Deut.5:2-4 etc; etc). Moses continues to speak directly and immediately to them as present at Sinai because this present generation must now embrace the covenant. We do this when we preach, when we speak about the cross we actually go there and watch Jesus as He dies. We bring the past crashing into the present! Thus, we are directly impacted by the events of Jesus’ life. Moses is back again at Sinai and this time he is looking out on his gathered people, the second generation who now have the opportunity to repent on behalf of their fathers and obey and believe God and conquer. Ch.5:6-21 refers back to Ex.20:2-17. Before the covenant is ratified with Israel, Moses must restate the commandments. Moses always describes the historical setting (context) of God speaking or acting. New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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Salvation is rooted history and to speak to humankind God took on flesh and blood which means that everything about Christianity is rooted in true reality. God is real and He is authentic. Christ’s eternal sonship, His humanity, His death, and resurrection, they are all real and reliable facts on which we can fix our faith without disappointment. The laws of Israel are really God’s laws and produce genuine righteousness when they are obeyed, Moses writes, “And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us” (Deut.6:2425). The Ten Commandments are the core of the law, the Old Testament, the primary word used to name the law is the Hebrew noun tôrâ, a word which means instruction. The law is often divided into two parts, - the moral law and considered as representing the holy and moral nature of God and therefore applicable to Christian in all ages. At the same time, what is often referred to as the ceremonial laws which relate to the sacrificial system, these laws are not applicable for today. There are also laws relating to hygiene, food, disease, and many other laws which are good in themselves, but do not apply to us. The Children of Israel were to be a people who obeyed the laws of God and thus their lives would be transformed as well as their national life. Their culture would also begin to reflect those values of God reproduced in real life and so the nations around them would revere them for their wisdom and righteousness and thus they would be a testimony to God and His character of holiness. Its various ordinances deal with civil, ceremonial, and ethical matters. While the New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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administrative and ritual aspects of the Mosaic legal code are no longer binding on Christians, the moral aspects of God’s law remain authoritative for the church (cf. John 14:15; 1 Cor 9:21; Gal 5:13-14; 6:2; 1 John 5:2-3). Jesus made this very clear when He spoke about the law (the Greek noun nomos), in relationship to Himself, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Mat.5:17-19). Jesus stated that love for God and all people were the foremost commandments of Scripture (Mat.22:37-40; cf. Deut.6:5; Lev.19:18) and in His teaching He sought to give the true meaning of the law. The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ exposition of the law and His condemnation of men’s additions to it. Jesus’ life from its beginning to its end was the fulfilment of the law, demonstrating that He was the spotless Lamb of God and His “fulfilling all righteousness” qualified Him to die on the cross. Jesus Christ fulfilled the law on our behalf, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Rom.10:4). For those who believe in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin are free from the law’s condemnation, but not from living in accordance with its timeless moral precepts and injunctions. Paul says that the “law is holy” (Rom 7:12); and that its commandments are “holy, righteous and good.” God’s universal moral absolutes are eternal in nature, unchanging, and perfect. As such, they have impacted Christians lives down through the centuries and New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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moulded their consciences and produced righteous living in accord with God’s holy nature. What Jesus opposed so loudly and vehemently was the Pharisees false interpretation and manipulation of the law to their own ends. Notice how Moses says, - “hearken to the statutes and judgements… to do them, that you might LIVE!” (Deut.4:1). Thus, we see that obedience to the law is life giving and then he says that obedience to the statutes will do us good, “and it shall be our righteousness” (6:25). Obedience to the law produces ethical behaviour in marriage, in the family and in the community. Our understanding of the law has been largely defined by the writers of the New Testament, especially the apostle in his letter to the Romans and passages like Philippians ch.2. To enlarge on Paul’s view of the law is beyond the remit of a Bible survey! Paul makes a vital point about the law, which is absolutely crucial, “for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom.3:20). The law informed Israel as to the true nature of sin in direct relationship to their lives. To acknowledge their sin was the first step in seeking atonement and reformation. The absence of law and the questioning of all absolutes mean that men sin without conscience and the worst sins condemned by the law are rampant in our society, which brings into question the survival of western society. The heads of the tribes of Israelites spoke to Moses as they encamped before the mountain of Horeb, (they are again repeated here by Moses), “For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear and do it.’ “Then the Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me: ‘I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” (Deut.5:26-29). The tribal leaders and elders sought to distance themselves from God who was so awesome and fearful and so they asked Moses to come back from the presence of God and tell them what He had spoken. The LORD was seriously displeased with them. Moses was so different from them, as he walked up the blazing mountain into the cloud where God was present. John in the Revelation was the same, when the door appeared before him into heaven, he walked into the throne-room of Almighty God. Chapter 6-11; The Primary Doctrine of God & the New Commandment for Israel In the section, ch.6-11, Moses continually urges them to love and to fear God (10:12), resulting in obedience to God’s laws. Firstly, in ch.6 Moses is establishing and declaring to the entire nation the primary doctrine of God in the OT., “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! (Deut.6:4; NKJV). It is impossible to state the importance of this verse for our knowledge of God, it has been said that the unity of God is the primary teaching of the Old Testament. I prefer the King James translation, “The LORD our New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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GOD is one LORD.” The orthodox Jews call this verse the shema, and they recite as they go to sleep each night. I have taken the following material from a document entitled: “The Speech, Language & Vocabulary of the Bible and its impact on how we speak,” “The greatest statement about God in the Old Testament is the SHEMA: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!” (Deut.6:4). "Hear, O Israel" are the first two words of this section of the Torah, and are the title of a prayer that serves as a centrepiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services. This verse encapsulates the monotheism of Israel’s faith. It is traditional for Jews to say the Shema as their last words before they die, and for parents to teach their children to say it before they go to sleep at night. Visualize the entire nation standing together on the floor of the wilderness before Moses and proclaiming in unison this great confession of their faith in YHWH, the LORD. The central truth about God in the Old Testament is that He is one. We do not believe in three God’s (tritheism)2 but in one God (monotheism). The singular oneness of the LORD means that the triune God is hidden in this statement. Oneness contrasts with the multiplicity of gods in the nations. The first commandment addressed this matter, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the 2
See my Module on the Doctrine of Christ, “Christology.” 16 New Life Radio – Talk No 30 Derrick Harrison
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earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them” (Ex.20:2-5a). Paul, likewise, addressed the problem of insipient idolatry in the church at Corinth by affirming the doctrine of God based on the Shema of Deuteronomy, “Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one” (1Cor.8:4). Again, in v6 he referred to the Shema but in the fuller revelation of the New Testament, “yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” The truth that lay hidden and unrevealed in the Shema was there and only later revealed in the Person of Christ. It was He who revealed the hidden Spirit who was the final vital part and Person of the triune God. This Jesus did in His teaching about the Holy Spirit in John (John ch.14-16). The tangible coming of the Holy Spirit was anticipated in the baptism of Jesus and finally took place in his outpouring of Himself in Acts ch.2 which we know as Pentecost. To complete the Shema, we must combine Deut.4:6; 1Cor.8:6 and Eph.4:4. Paul’s apostolic teaching was firmly based on the Shema (Eph.4:3-6) of the Old Testament but now revealed in all its full content. We may now speak of the New Testament Shema which is the united confession of our trinitarian faith. We shout it out the Shema like The Israelites shouted out the Shema before Moses, but we shout it out before the Prophet, the One who is “like me” (Moses) (Deut.18:15) (p42). “Jesus affirmed the truth that God is one when He said, “I and My Father are one” (Jn.10:30); for these words he was crucified. The New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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immediate reaction of the religious Jews was to stone Jesus for speaking blasphemy because he was denying the dogmatic statement of the Shema that God is one and only. He has the prerogative of pronouncing forgiveness based on the Laws of sacrifice. Jesus was declaring that He had the authority to speak forgiveness which is the exclusive prerogative of God. The Shema was the test of orthodoxy, that there is only one God who alone could forgive sin” (p43). The second profound disclosure is in the next verse is not about God but about them and is in direct response to his statement about the unity of the LORD and amounts to giving a further commandment to Israel, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (6:5-7). As far I know there has never been any reference to love when Moses spoke to Israel 40 years ago and gave them the same commandments. Does this reflect on a different Moses who has come to love God in the context of the Law? - a man who has plumbed the depths of God’s love which is most certainly true! Twice he speaks about the heart. He is a man who has now come to appreciate family and children, because his heart has ached for them. He has come to realize the importance of rearing children who are taught from earliest childhood the laws of God and the love of God. He anticipates that the word of God will be the subject of everyday conversation in the family- - and that is why New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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Jesus talked all the time in parables so that His stories would be talked about as people walked home after a long day with Jesus watching His miracles and listening his stories which would have been talked about at the mealtime and before bed. It is truly amazing that the truth about God should be followed immediately by an exhortation to love Him! Truth without love is dead, dry doctrine but truth with love is like the buzz of the electricity as it speeds along the wires of the pylon. Having brought God and the law into the sphere of the heart (Heb.8:10), we will take up the love of God and view it in the context of the bridal relationship and to do that we take the word agape love (God’s love and not human love, phileo ) and view it in the context of the Song of Songs, I also suggest that you read a tiny commentary such as Hudson Taylor’s, “Union and Communion” or an interlinear translation of the Greek OT (the Septuagint). This second context of agape love is to view it in the context of the church as in Ephesians. The revolutionary context of this eleventh commandment, the “new commandment” is introduced by Jesus in His last teachings in the Upper Room (Jn.14-16) which he introduced on the Thursday before His crucifixion on the Friday. The meaning of “Maundy” (Thursday) is “second commandment” which of course He gave to them on Maundy Thursday.3 A lawyer questions Jesus, trying to trip Him up, 3
The word Maundy comes from the latin, 'mandatum', or 'command' which refers to the instructions Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper about the new commandment of love.
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“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Mat.22:37-40). The Mosaic Law extended compassion to the alien and welcomed them into the family of Israel, a beautiful example of this is the way in which the Israelites of Bethlehem welcomed Ruth into their hearts. This command of Jesus to love your neighbour as yourself is the ultimate extension and application of God’s agape love for the world – the world is a big place to embrace with love, but the command to love your neighbour, focuses this immense and abundant love of God on one single person next door to you or living in the next city. The early church interpreted this radical love by living together in koinonia fellowship/community, “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44), but this was not a selfish sharing together in God’s love, but we read that they shared with those who were in dire need, “and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need” (v45). Chapter 7; Moses speaks of the certainty of conquest and the moral demand of separation from the sins of the occupying nations. He reminds them that God chose them from among the nations, simply because He loved them! (vv6-11). Obedience to Him must be the outcome of love but obedience will open the door to all the covenant blessings of God (vv12-26). Moses expresses his confidence in their
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future victory. He is imparting faith into their hearts and preaching total rejection of idolatrous practises. Chapter 8; Moses continues to exhort his hearers to obey the commandments and he reflects on their wilderness experiences in the past and imparts vision and faith for the future as he describes the fruitfulness and plenty of the promised land. This is good preaching – imparting vision and thus inspiring faith and resolve. He is preparing them for battle and conquest and these features contribute to good leadership. On the other hand, Moses had suffered greatly and he reminds them of his leadership during those years, “who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end—” (Deut.8:15-16). Moses reminds them, not of the negative past things, but of God’s great love and faithfulness to them in those past days and points them to the coming days of promise which demonstrates the generosity of God towards them in providing such a land of fertility and plenty. The whole of ch.8 breathes the pastoral and loving heart of Moses towards God’s people and he could only speak to them with such compassion because he, himself had discovered the caring heart of God personally. Chapter 9; Moses, brings this message to a decisive climax! “You are to pass over Jordon THIS DAY!” This is the David spirit, the Daniel spirit, the Joshua and the Caleb spirit, the Peter spirit, -
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“Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Mat.14:28)” and the Paul spirit, - “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil.4:13). God is decisive, invigorating, and catalytic when it is His time to move! I see the most incredible leader in Moses – he has an entire nation moved, motivated and ready to obey him due to his audacious faith, his steadfastness, his vision and above everything his constant teaching. He has brought them to face up to the past, the rebellion of their parents as portrayed in Numbers, he has brought these occasions before them, one by one and has conveyed to them their amazing history under God and concludes this section by reminding them of God’s election and throughout the importance of God’s laws. The most powerful weapon in the arsenal of the Christian leader is the exposition of the word of God, the Scriptures. Moses was the recipient of God’s law; he had originally received it from God’s own mouth orally and in addition to that the Lord had engraved the 10 commandments in stone with His own fingers and given them to him. He had then expounded the law and applied it to their individual lives as a judge, “Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess” (Deut.4:5) and finally, we see him faithfully teaching the law to a second generation of Israelites. Through his leadership. – he led them out of Egypt, he led them throughout their journeys to Sinai, to KadeshBarnea, and on to the plains of Moab – there was no doubts about his ability to lead God’s people with fortitude and endurance and the New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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greatest challenge of all was that he led them through, “that terrible wilderness" (Deut.1:19; 8:15) and “that howling wilderness” (3:10) facing the cruel and wicked rebellions recorded in Numbers. (if you want to examine further the leadership of Moses, please refer to my teaching module entitled: “Biblical models of leadership”). Moses backs up his command to rise up and conquer by his blunt realism and honesty. He points to their worst nightmares, the giants of Anak and then he immediately says, “Therefore, understand TODAY that the Lord your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so, you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said to you” (Deut.9:3). Moses is a man of unconquerable faith! They will rise up to conquer the land on the faith of Moses, in that sense he will lead them to conquest, just like our fore-runner Jesus Christ has pioneered a way for us (Heb.12:1-2). Blunt realism means that Moses must bring up again before them their first rebellion at Horeb, but he also tells them of the price he paid to avert the judgement of God on their father’s sin (9:2529). Chapter 10; Moses’ recollections begin with Sinai’s rebellion to God writing again the commandments and his second period of 40 days of intercession with God on the mountain (10:10). It was clearly God’s intention that they proceed immediately to the Promised Land (v11). Moses comes back into to the present, - “And NOW Israel…” (v12), a present imperative which begins a series of exhortations which takes New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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us into ch.11. Israel is to love and fear God and serve Him with all their heart and soul, again Moses addresses their hearts and appeals to them, not only to love God but also the stranger (10:19). Chapter 11; in the light of all that God has done for you, - His mighty acts (11:2-11), which took place before your eyes (v7), therefore obey God, and consider the land before you which is favoured by God (vv812), watered by God in due season and productive of corn, wine, oil and grass for your cattle. All blessings of the land and blessings of military success depend on diligently keeping and obeying the law, fearing, and loving God. Moses reminds them about speaking the blessings and the curses from mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (vv.2629). Moses closes with a prophetic statement declaring that, “For you will cross over the Jordan and go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and you will possess it and dwell in it. And you shall be careful to observe all the statutes and judgments which I set before you today” (11:3132). We are continuing Moses second discourse form the plains of Moab facing Jericho across the Jordon River. Chapters 12-26 presents the specific applications of the covenant obligations, giving attention to how the law will relate to their new life in Canaan - laws which relate to worship, civil and social matters. The pattern of these chapter is based on the Ten Commandments in ch.5. Chapter 12; in our previous talk I spoke about the fact that God did not reveal Himself in a visible form due to the danger of idolatry. Israel’s greatest sin was idolatry which was associated with demons and debauched sexual practises which took place at Baal-Peor. The first commandment prohibited New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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The Book of Deuteronomy No 2 idolatry and now Moses gives instructions to destroy all the places where idolatry is practised, altars, pillars, groves, images, and names (12:2-3). Israel must assemble at chosen places of assembly to make their offerings, their vows and to eat and rejoice before the Lord. Moses anticipates a spiritual change when they settle in the land, with all their enemies subdued, one can hear again the genuine love that Moses has for Israel and his desires for their spiritual welfare (vv5-12). This instruction of a fixed place to worship will of course find its realization in the temple (v14). The remainder of the chapter (vv17-32) is taken up with detailed instructions about fulfilling the details of the law in their lives. Moses is good at detail and the application of the minutest details of the law which must be observed and obeyed resulting in personal reformation and the formation of a corporate sensitivity to living righteously which will in due course produce a culture of honesty and healthy living and thinking. The impact of obeying the law on every aspect of life would then have impacted every nation in the world - if Israel had only obeyed the Lord. Instead, the abominations of idolatry of the adjoining nations impacted Israel to sacrifice their children (v31). Chapter 13; further instructions for living in the land, - testing prophetic words and dreams (v1-5), secret enticement to idols must be exposed (v618). Of course, this is not biblical prophecy, but demonic, aimed at turning Israel away from the Lord. Chapter 14; recognise your true identity as the children of the LORD separate from the nations (vv1-2), - do not mutilate your body or eat animals or birds which are designated as unclean. Eat clean animals and birds but do it according to the instructions of the law (vv3-21). The problems associated with living a long distance from the central sanctuary are addressed and provision made for fulfilling the requirements of the law in one’s own town.
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The Book of Deuteronomy No 2 The fulfilment of the law regarding tithing and providing for the Levites must be attended to. Chapter15; “At the end of every 7 years you shall make a release” (v1). Loans are cancelled, such will be their prosperity that they will be lending to the nations. You must continually open your heart to your poor brother and lend to him in his need. Israelite slaves must be released after the 7th years and rewarded well with provisions be kind to the poor and enslaved. Those slaves who wish to remain with their masters, their ears must be branded with an aul and they will be permanent slaves in the household of their master. All the firstlings of their flock and herd are to be sacrificed and eaten before the Lord (vv19-23). Chapter 16; vv1-15; Keeping Passover in the month of Abib in the Lord’s appointed place. The original legislation is restated. Eating unleavened bread for 7 days is a reminder to them how they had to eat bread in haste on their departure from Egypt. Moses repeatedly, instructs them that all practises must take place in God’s appointed location, this was in order to keep Israel’s feasts and sacrifices in order and unadulterated by synchronism with idolatry. Due to God’s abundant blessings they are to rejoice. Vv16-17; Men must attend at “Gods appointed place” for sacrifice, 3 times a year. One might have expected Moses to simply say that they must appear at the re-erected tabernacle, but he did not and thus he left the future “open” to the Lord do as He will. Vv18-20; Judges fulfilled a significant role in the life of the nation. Moses began the practise of applying the laws of the covenant to the lives of the Israelites. When Jethro his father-in-law came to visit him, he observed how Moses was counselling people day after day and proposed that he appoint elders to share his burden. Later the Lord said the same thing to him. The book of Judges gives an account of the judges who now took on the role of 26 New Life Radio – Talk No 30 Derrick Harrison 05/05/2021
The Book of Deuteronomy No 2 leading Israel into battle as well as judging. Later, the kings took on this role and Solomon was renowned for his wisdom to judge people’s problems and needs. One of the Lord’s key roles is to judge. The foundation for judgement is the Sinaitic Law, or the Mosaic Law. Jesus battled with the Pharisees over all the extra rules and conditions they had added to the law, purely for their own interests, thus making void the law of God. Vv21-22; is about keeping the practices of worship pure from association with Canaanite baalism – thus their altars were not to have trees around them, nor to have idols placed there. Chapter 17; v1; healthy animals must be sacrificed. This fact is repeated and goes back again to the night of the Exodus. Any blemished or deformed animal is an abomination to the Lord. Vv2-7; Laws condemning men and women to be stoned to death after careful examination and proof for idolatry. The sentence will be carried out by the community. Vv8-13; earlier Moses had spoken about judges (16:18-20). Moses is seeking for judgements/laws to be upheld when verdicts/sentences are pronounced. Failure to submit to the judgement of the priest or the judge will result in death. Vv14-20; surprise, surprise, Moses gives legislation for future kings and warns the Israelites about them serving him, his excessive demands on them and his extravagant lifestyle. Chapter 18; vv1-8; The Levitical priesthood Vv9-14; Idolatry and child sacrifice, all forms of witchcraft -divination, and so on are forbidden in Israel.
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The Book of Deuteronomy No 2 Vv15-22; PROPHECY: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you—from your fellow Israelites; you must listen to him” (Deut.18:15). This is pure Messianic prophecy from the mouth of Moses. These words may sound proud and presumptive hearing them from the mouth of Moses He prophesies that the LORD will raise up a prophet, - a prophet like me! – now that is not pride but it is humility. True humility has a true estimate of things, based on fact, rather than pride or false humility. Of course, he is not comparing himself to God, but he is recognising that the coming Messiah will be marked by the gift of prophecy. Moses (Num.11:25) and David (Acts 2:30, 25-31) had this prophetic gift, and it is this gift which enables Scripture to be written and for men of God to lead the people of God. Moses’ final word was that the coming Prophet would be born from amongst them, in other words He would be a Jew. The testing of each prophetic word is whether or not it comes to pass. The subject of prophecy is too big to be dealt with in a survey like this. Moses, and prophets like him are bold and they are challenged rather than intimidated by the awesomeness of God. Moses strides up the mountain to meet God, David runs to face the blaspheming Goliath, Peter leaps out of the boat and into the raging storm to encounter Jesus, and John strides through the open door into heaven and God’s throne-room. Israel did not have such a heart, rather, they chose to distance themselves from the voice of God and God noted disapprovingly, their rejection of hearing God’s voice directly, (v16-17f; 5:25; Ex.20:19). Chapter 19; Vv1-13; cities of refuge, v1, “When the Lord has cut-off the nations” – this is a statement of faith! 3 cities set apart as cities of refuge for those who accidently kill another person and are pursued by the angry family. By loving God and obeying His laws Israel will prosper and 3 more cities to be set-aside. The murderer will be extracted from the city.
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The Book of Deuteronomy No 2 V14, removal of the landmark forbidden. These stakes/posts/ stones defined the borders of each person’s inheritance. Disputes will be settled by three witnesses. V15, disputes will be settled at the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses. V16-21, false accusations/charges will be settled by the priest and the judge will inquire into the matter in the LORD’S presence. The punishment due to the falsely accused will fall on the lying accuser. Judgement shall be just without regard for pity, - justice is based on God’s unchanging righteousness. Chapter 20; Vv1-20; Battle procedures. Do not fear the enemy because the God of the Exodus is with you (v1). The priest addresses the army, dismissing fear because God fights for you and will save you (v2-4). Some men may exempt themselves – having purchased a house, planted a vineyard, or betrothed a wife. The fearful soldier is also released from the army (vv5-9). Instruction for cities outside Canaan. Before a city is attacked it is given an opportunity to surrender and pay tribute money. If the city makes war, it will be besieged, taken, all males killed and the women, children, cattle etc; will be “spoil” for them. All the Canaanite cities are to be destroyed, “Instead you must utterly annihilate them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—just as the Lord your God has commanded you” (v17; 7:1; Josh.3:10). The reason for their total destruction is to eliminate the insidious influence of the idolatry of the Canaanites (v18). When a city is besieged fruit bearing trees are not to be cut down (v23). Chapter 22; Laws relating to the local community, - responsibility, integrity, honesty to neighbour’s cattle and clothing (vv1-4). Women not to wear men’s clothing (v5), care for creatures and their young (vv6-7). New flat roofed houses must have a protective wall (v8). Planting mixed seed/seedlings forbidden, nor a mixed yolk of animals for ploughing. Similarly, no mixed garments are to be worn (v11-12). Disorder in marriage is also addressed, 29 New Life Radio – Talk No 30 Derrick Harrison 05/05/2021
The Book of Deuteronomy No 2 especially with regards to the virginity of the betrothed (vv13-21). Adultery carries the death sentence for men/women, rape and fornication carry the same penalty (vv22-27). The rape of a virgin requires the rapist to marry her for life (vv28-29). Father and daughter-in-law cannot inter-marriage, nor son and mother -in-law (v30). Chapter 23; various laws related to: castration, illegitimacy, Moabites and Ammonites forbidden to enter the congregation of Israel (Ruth was a future exception as was Rahab the Canaanite from Jericho). Edomites are the descendants of Esau and are brothers of Israel. Egypt is viewed in a favourable light (surprisingly) in the light of their original hospitality to Jacob (v7). Ceremonial uncleanness bars from entry into the camp overnight (v1011). Toilet hygiene instructions are given (v12-14). Escaped servants shall not be returned to their master (v15-16). Prostitutes and homosexuals have no place in Israel and no money gained by false means can be a part of any offering (v17-18). Money must be loaned without interest to an Israelite (usury) but could be loaned to a stranger with interest (v19-20). Vows made to the Lord must be paid (v21-23). Finally, generosity to the poor following the harvest of grapes and corn is due to the poor who can gather grapes or glean corn after the crops have been harvested (v28). Harvesting must be kept strictly to boundaries (v29). Chapter24; various laws related to divorce (v1-4), the man who marries is free from going to war for one year (v5). The pledge given as the assurance of a fulfilled promise must not be a millstone because it is his livelihood (v6), human trafficking forbidden in Israel, the death sentence applied for those who engage in it. (v7). The laws relating to leprosy must be observed (v8-9). When a man is owed money, he must not enter the house of the debtor because it is to infringe on his rights, and it would be a humiliation to him (v10-13). In all of these laws the dignity of people – their personhood is always respected even when they are at fault. The behaviour of people who seek justice from others always respects the dignity of others alongside their 30 New Life Radio – Talk No 30 Derrick Harrison 05/05/2021
The Book of Deuteronomy No 2 accountability. This is impressive when it is incorporated into their laws. Such behaviour is termed righteousness (v13) and is noted by God as such. Proper behaviour to servants who are not slaves (v14-16). Justice shall be extended equally to strangers and the poor, recollecting the fact that Israel had been enslaved (v17-18). Generosity is displayed to the poor and the widows at harvest-time when fruit is left in the fields (v19-22). Chapter 25; “If” men come into controversy their conflict will be resolved by a judge aided by witnesses. Judgement will be made according to righteousness/unrighteousness, not compassion or any other consideration and therefore judgement will be according to fixed principles of law. Law affirms righteousness and the law judge’s wickedness which is sin. John in his first letter says the same language, “All unrighteousness is sin” (1Jn.5:17). (Vv1-3), the application of punishment to the guilty/wicked man is applied without vindictiveness, in other words it is not to humiliate him, we firstly, that the guilty man will receive 40 stipes in the presence of the judge – the one who sentences must also watch the application of the sentence. Secondly, further punishment would make the man appear as someone worthless, demeaned and utterly despised. The ox must not be muzzled as it labours, to do otherwise would be cruel enslavement, even of an animal (v4). Levirate Marriage (25:5-10),
“If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. And it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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name may not be blotted out of Israel. But if the man does not want to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to raise up a name to his brother in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.’ Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him. But if he stands firm and says, ‘I do not want to take her,’ then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.’ And his name shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal removed” (Deut.25:5-10). This law of Levirate marriage was known in the patriarchal period Gen.38, and involved Tamar whose husband Er had died, so she disguised herself and had a sexual encounter with Judah her father-inlaw, the outcome being a son called Pharez who is included in Jesus’ genealogy (Mat.1:3), but the law is only found in Deuteronomy in which public disgrace is a penalty for refusing to fulfil the rights of the widowed sister-in-law. To refuse her is to disgrace her and she spits in his face and removes his sandal and calls him by the infamous name that attaches to him, “the house of the unsandalled one.” This public humiliation of the brother of the diseased, is supervised in public by the elders and the notice put on his house. The book of Ruth can only be understood against this background – the responsibility of the brother-in-law to raise up children on behalf of his diseased brother. Boaz by purchasing the land of Elimelech has to raise up children to his son, by marriage to his son’s wife Ruth. This New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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was a most successful Levirate marriage, producing David the most famous king of Israel. Vv11-12, illegal interference by a wife as men fight has her hand cut off as a result. Vv13-16, weights and measures must be perfect. Vv17-19, The Lord commands the destruction of Amalek. Chapter 26; V1, conquest is inevitable, - “when you are come into the land …” The first fruits of their first harvest shall be taken in a basket to the priest and presented to the Lord by reciting prescribed words, (vv5-10), followed by rejoicing for the provision of the Lord (v11). The speech begins by comparing Israel to “wandering Aramaeans” ready to perish before they go down to Egypt, where they become a nation and where they are cruelly treated. When “we” cried to the LORD, He brought us forth out of Egypt. Notice as Moses has extricated himself from the narrative of deliverance, taking no credit. The LORD has brought us into this land. The first fruits are given, “So now, look! I have brought the first of the ground’s produce that you, Lord, have given me.” Then you must set it down before the Lord your God and worship before him” (v10). In this verse Moses zeroes in on every Israelite in the camp and makes their peace offering intensely personal between each one of them and Moses addresses God as LORD and as personal, “the LORD your God.” First fruits is a beautiful and meaningful gesture of thankfulness, but tithing is a costly and meaningful requirement of the law, making it New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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possible to sustain the Levites to fulfil their priestly duties. Notice that it is the increase that is tithed, because the Lord had so prospered them that the tithe of the increase was sufficient for the needs of the priests, the fatherless, the widows and the poor. The first fruits, the tithes, and the fulfilling of the minute of the law meant that Israelites could come boldly to God assured of His blessing (v14-15). The Hebrews writer describes these believers coming to God with great confidence, “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings, because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water” (Heb.10:22). Moses is drawing his second speech to its conclusion - he has just presented a picture of a thankful Israelite who offers a basket of first fruits to the LORD. He worships and he represent a faithful and obedient Israelite, walking in the laws of the Lord, who owns God as his LORD. And petitions the Lord to bless “The people Israel.” Moses concludes his speech by admonishing them to do God’s statutes and walk in His ways (v15-17) and how God will fulfil His promises to them as a special people and to elevate them above all other nations (v18) and to make them a holy people unto Himself (v19). iv. THIRD DISCOURSE: Covenant Sanctions (future) (27:1-31:30) Blessings & Curses in Israel (27:11-28:68)
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This is a huge subject and is beyond our remit to adequately cover it here, but it relates directly to the overall theme of judgement which was predominant in Numbers. We can go back to the Garden of Eden when God cursed the serpent (Gen.3:14) and He cursed the land (3:17), resulting from the fall. The Lord can use His power to bless or to curse, with immediate consequences. Indeed, we can go back to the Lord’s covenant with Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen.12:3). The blessings and the curses were an essential part of the covenant that the Lord made with Israel at Sinai, this is also called the Mosaic covenant and the full statement of the blessings and curses attached to the covenant is found in Deuteronomy ch.27-28. Solomon put prayer at the centre of temple worship just as David had put worship. He made it very clear that God’s displeasure would result in the application of the curses attached to the covenant and Solomon implored repentance associated with the temple and prayer. Disobedience/rebellion/sin had tangible consequences, resulting in crop failure, famine, physical illness, defeat in battle – these were all visible signs of God’s curse indicating the displeasure of God and urging the nation to repentance (1Kings 8:31-66; 2Chron.6:22-7:22). The blessings brought health, children, crops, animals, success in battle, and so on – they are listed in Deuteronomy. The Blessing of the LORD which is referred to as the Aaronic Blessing expresses the heart of God for Israel, the curses of God are the
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consequence of sin and judgement is the inevitable consequence – judgement is God maintaining His own righteousness. If you have any quandaries about God’s judgement look at the cross and the price paid by Jesus Christ who suffered God’s wrath on account of sin. The Lord comes to men and women offering free salvation and forgiveness, a blessing and not a cursing. You choose what the outcome will be, – blessing or cursing. Examine the tragedy which was evident in the family of Elimelech (the book of Ruth) to see the evidence of the curses, - famine in the land, the death of the three men in the family and barrenness in the two wives. These tragedies were the direct result of the spiritual condition of the nation of Israel and the personal bereavements were the result of the disobedience of Elimelech in emigrating to Moab from Bethlehem. However, through it all God came forth with blessings in the Moabite bride called Ruth, who was God’s gift to Boaz, both of them together typified Christ and His Bride. Interestingly, the result of the curse, the pain and sorrow which resulted from such unbearable adversity brought bitterness into the life of Naomi. The adversity resulting from the curses did not produce the desired repentance, we have seen this worked out in the rebellions of Numbers and we see it in the book of Revelation where there are 6 references to those people who refused to repent under God’s judgements, in other words they were beyond the reach of God’s grace and blessings (Rev.2:21; 3:3; 9:20. 21; 16:9, 11). This was the case with the population of the earth at the time of Noah who preached about the righteousness of God for 100 hundred years without one convert, the entire world was beyond the reach of the gospel and therefore judgement is the only inevitable consequence of rebellion. This was the case with the entire nation of New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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Israel except for Caleb and Joshua. Even Moses, Aaron and Miriam died (not due to judgement) before the children of Israel advanced into the Promised Land. Apostacy takes people beyond the reach of God’s grace as clearly declared by the writer to the Hebrews, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (Heb.6:4-6). The matter is not determined by whether you believe the truth of Scripture about judgement or not, but by the actions of God relating to the church and Christ’s present ministry as it is so clearly demonstrated in the seven churches of the Revelation. Did Jesus exercise the covenant curse or blessing? Peter said that Jesus cursed the fig tree and He certainly pronounced judgement on religious leaders who failed to respond to His ministry, but I do not see Him actually cursing individuals, although in the early church I see the immediate demise of Ananias and Sapphira who died instantaneously under God’s judgement. I do not see any person fall down dead as a result of Jesus’ words nor do I find that the word “curse” was part of His everyday vocabulary. Did Jesu curse sickness like contemporary Charismatic’s? The answer is that He did not! But the matter has not to do with semantics but with the power and authority of God. Let me say this, Jesus rebuked Peter, He commanded demons to be silent and to leave men/women – He cast out demons by His authoritative/powerful word and He healed the sick. My advice is to New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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avoid the vocabulary of cursing and to focus on delivering men from demons, healing sick bodies and commanding all men everywhere to repent. I am sure that non-biblical practises do not in the long term help the church and there are a lot of things that are accepted as common practises that bear little resemblance to the practises of Jesus’ ministry. Did the Jews who killed Jesus bring down upon themselves the curse of God upon themselves and their children? “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children” (Mat.27:25). It sounds like the imprecation of a curse regarding the spilling of blood. In their view the spilling of innocent blood cried out for vengeance (Gen.4:10), but the blood of a guilty man whose blood was shed was the execution of justice, because Jesus was an imposter the shedding of his blood could have no power to influence adversely, nor would the curse have power to inflict harm upon them or their children. I have to ask whether the awful atrocities in the world, the rebellion of governments against God and the low state of things in many churches, - are these things the result of the judgment of God and are they clear warnings to us that we must repent? Consider the conditions which Jesus describes in the end times (Mat.24) are they are the result of apostacy in the church and rebellion in the world, conditions which have brought forth God’s judgment of sin? Consider the awful rebellions of Israel in Numbers and the immediate judgments of the LORD and the dreadful long-term effects of God’s curses in the lives of men and women and in the history of Israel. In contrast, the LORD, promises continually that if Israel will repent then the covenant blessings will be poured out on Israel, New Life Radio – Talk No 30
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‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it” (Mal.3:8-10).
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