A Blessing and a Curse – Deut. Chpt. 28

If the book of Deuteronomy has a focal point, or a bottom line if you will, it would be chapter 28. What Moses says in this part of his final sermon is what Israel's entire future depends on. And when I say that, I am referring to national Israel –…

Take a Stand, Be Accountable – Deut. Chpt. 27

Deuteronomy began with Moses telling 2nd generation Israel how they got to the point of being ready to cross the Jordan river to possess the promised land. That was the first five chapters. Beginning in chapter 6, Moses goes through the law with them, point-by-point, but in a Reader's Digest…

Remembrance: It’s Our Testimony – Deut. Chpt. 26

Every year there is a remembrance ceremony held at Pearl Harbor. Likewise at Normandy to commemorate D-Day. We hold annual ceremonies at Ground Zero in NY to remember the events of 9/11. These are all good things. They remind us of the past and act as a warning to avoid…

A Civil Society Part 5 – Deut. Chpt. 25

Today's text brings us to the end of Moses rapid-fire civil laws. And in fact, the last part of the chapter is completely divorced from the rest of the civil laws. We have seen some interesting this along the way; things seem foreign to us because of our cultural disconnect.…

A Civil Society Part 4 – Deut. Chpt. 24

We continue today with part 4 of a 6-part study on the rules of civil society. Covered topics in chapter 24 include divorce, the first year of marriage, taking pledges from the poor, how Israelites were to treat their hired servants, and caring for the poor by leaving them food…

A Civil Society Part 3 – Deut. Chpt. 23

This morning's study is part 3 of a 6-part study on the rules of civil society. Today we'll see a few rules that overlap between civil order and religious practice. They are a good reminder to us that all rule and order flow from God himself. When thought of in…

A Civil Society Part 2 – Deut. Chpt. 22

This morning's study is part 2 of a 6-part study on the rules of civil society. We're going to see some interesting things in the text, just like last week. As I was studying this chapter, something occurred to me: the fact that God wrote these rules down in his…

A Civil Society Part 1 – Deut. Chpt. 21

As we turn the page to chapter 21, we reach that portion of Deuteronomy dealing with the rules of a civil society. These rules – and there are a lot of them – were meant to maintain order. They were and are necessary because people are naturally evil. We need…

When It’s Time to Fight – Deut. Chpt. 20

One of Moses' responsibilities was to prepare the people to go to war. He had already led them in the march through the wilderness and up to the valley of Moab where they were preparing to cross the Jordan. Along the way, they mounted successful military campaigns against the kings…

Justice: Hard But Necessary – Deut. Chpt. 19

When you hear the word 'justice' what immediately comes to mind? I think of judgment meted out without emotion. I think of the law being applied without pity. Justice is God's way; we'll see that in today's text. Unfortunately, humanity has fallen so far from God's plan that true justice…