last book written by moses before his death
TRANSCRIPT
Last book written by Moses before his death
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Meaning In music ‘deut’ means singing together They may sing the same song but with variation in
notes yet blending beautifully with each other.It could be two male voice or two female voice or
a mix of the twoLeviticus and Exodus were written as early as
they left Egypt and started their worship in the desert.
Deuteronomy was a book written about 38 years later just before they entered Canaan and before the death of Moses
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purposeDeuteronomy is not an additional volume to the other
twoBut conveys in detail many things cited in the first
two
Why was it written? One entire generation who left Egypt died in the
wilderness and a new one which knew nothing about Egypt, Red Sea and the Mt Sinai, was standing before Moses
Leaders like Aaron and Miriam also died and Moses, had to go
Moses had to rehearse the history- great things God has done and make them enter into a covenant
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God reveals Himself little by little
Genesis- One man one God one commandment – One sin – one punishment – no remission
Abraham Jacob Joseph had personal relationship with God and corrections cam timely
Exodus – About 3 million people who had lost the worship of a living God for over 400 years were delivered from slavery and walked out of Egypt
At Sinai even when God tried to talk to them direct they did not want. They wanted a mediator Moses
They received Only Ten commandment to keep them good free from punishment. They had worship which involved sacrifices. But did it bring repentance?
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rules and leaders cannot replace God
All governments have laws and courts But crimes are on the increase. The Jewish nation was one of the first in the world to have community worship but health and civic laws
Leviticus was a compendium of all such laws and rulesEven regarding what the Priests and Levites should do the next book called Numbers contains more information
on leadership and responsibilities who were considered as representatives of God. God’s direct intervention in the lives of the people became less and less-even Moses became a super boss and so 70 more people were appointed to help him.
People could not tell their needs directly to God but only through leaders.
Do we expect leaders to talk to God on behalf of us?
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Importance of the bookJesus quoted from this book many times including
His temptationEven Paul and in NT more than 150 quotesThe legal system of England and India primarily
from thisIt governs almost all civic and socials laws apart from spiritual It makes individual responsible and God is no
more a PolicemanGod is not pleased with sacrifices but a joyful
fellowship- festivalsGod warns before hand many things that may
side track-witch craft, idolatry , pagan life styleswww.drjpaul.com
The purpose of DeuteronomyGod still wants to talk to people- His likes and
dislikes- No more directly or thru mediators but thru word- Logos and No more Rhema
Purpose of laws made clearNo more hidden in the Most Hoy placeNo more available only thru priestsBut for all to knowProactive before mistakes are doneMore Grace than judgmentNo more burdensome and authoritative but
persuasive , meaningful and rewardingNo more Adonai but Jehovah
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Lessons from the bookIt is one book that talks about responsibility at all levelIn worship towards God- In community towards society and
fellowmen and our responsibility.God comes first Ch 1-4The great God also has likes and dislikes because all along
the history He deals with human beings. He looks for their welfare but He expects obedience like a father Ch 6,11
The book Deuteronomy contains laws or covenants of Blessing or curse which comes through obedience or the other. Ch 17,20
Moses tells his own relationship with God ch 27
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Things that divert people from God
Fear or laziness- expecting God to do all things for us or solve all our problems- God with us but we must fight our battles- Go and possess is the keyword- Ch 1:8 Ch 9,20
Drive the enemy and all their evil practices; Idolatry, adultery, sorcery-even some souvenirs could be a snare- posses the land not their demonic culture or things relating to their worship even if it is valuable or precious
Unseen enemy- Amalekite-hidden sinful thoughts and habits, friends can pop up even after salvation Ch 7,29
God holds the future but enemy promises a preview.-witch craft – the destruction of Babel- Ch 18
False prophets, the agents of the enemy- who frightens or promises prosperity – for a price- ch 13
Civilized world follows the same even after thousands of years- witchcraft approved by State .
People still look for agents to talk to God.www.drjpaul.com
Humility & thankfulness-channels of blessingPeople blame God for their problems but claim credit for
their success.The Bible says that nothing comes by our effort but by
grace- thank offerings of even that grown in the field makes God happy Ch 8. Even the land and the trees belong to God
Social lawsKindness to neighbours, debtors and even slaves Kindness even to animals and the fieldBe considerate to widows and murderers ch 19,24,25 How to deal with leprosy adultery, drunkenness ch 29Kindness is a character gone away from this world!
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Honesty in our work place
There were not many job situations in ancient times. And especially when they were on the move in the wilderness they could not even adopt agriculture
But the laws were made for even centuries to follow. People traded animal or corn or wool. There were no coins or currency but gold or silver was weighed as shekel. (11.5 gms.) small difference in weight would matter much. Temptation to cheat was always there. But it affects the neighbour Ch 25
Tithes and the best of the land belongs to God –Ch 26:11 Consideration to the poor is as important as sacrifices,
tithes offerings to God. Both are forgotten issues these daysWorship is joyful and festivals & celebrations in the church
ch 27
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More civic lawsDistinction between man and woman even in
dressRight type of clothing for right season. wool and
flax have different properties and should not be mixed ch.22:11
No uni –sex dresses 22:5The law even applied to the field mixed crops
were not allowed22:9 Even in funeral services there should be
distiction fom the heathen 26:14All these are now violatedEven safety rules were made 3000 years ago.
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Laws for our benefitMoses made all the laws as God dictated them to himThey were for the welfare of the community as well as
channels of blessings.- 4:40, 12:32God was not only their provider but also their
protector as they travelled in the open dessert surrounded by strong enemies and wild animals – 8:5,4
Blessings are assured as long as we obey the laws- ch 28, 30
That is very well true todayPleading ignorance of law is no excuse in any country.
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What do we learn from the book.
God is not only our creator but one who cares for our well being. Nature and resources are or all to enjoy and share. The laws are applicable to all and no distinction
Disobedience is sin and penalty is inevitable-injustice to neighbour must be compensated and sins against God forgiven by sacrifices.
Moses concluded the book by telling his own story that he could not enter Canaan though considered as a friend of God and did so much of service to the people
Disobedience stops all blessingsDoes this make us think?
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